My wrists "hurt" when I lift

[fitgoddess]

Any advice on what I can put around my wrists to help....I think it's my age! (35) My wrists just began "hurting" when I lift beyond 5 lbs in one hand. Well, maybe "strain" is a better word. Anyway, I don't want this to prevent me from going heavier, so any ideas on what I can get to put on my wrists when I lift?

 

[teddy16410]

RE: My wrists

So sorry to hear about your wrist....

I must say that imo you need to see a Dr as it is not normal for 5#'s to cause pain/strain.
Age in and of itself doesnt have anything to do with that (again, imo) I am 44 and lift considerable weight without wrist pain- my dad is 75 and lifts with no pain......
Grocery bags can weigh alot more than 5#'s so................ I wouldnt do anything to try and avoid the pain (you could do some real damage and possible have a break) I'd get to a good Dr and see what is causing it and take their professional advise.
Hope you heal quickly!!!!!

 

[kathryn]

RE: My wrists

Are you keeping your wrists straight? In line with your arm? If not, bending the wrist back while holding a weight can cause strain.

If that isn't the problem, then definitely take Traci's advice and see a doctor.

 

[PhyllisG]

RE: My wrists

It is always best to see a doctor but that said I experienced the same thing a while ago. I admit I did not see a doctor. But I bought lifting gloves with a wrist band that wrapped around your wrist and paid special attention to keeping my wrists straight and not letting them flop down. You can also buy wrist bands (wraps?) separate from gloves. At one time I used them until I got gloves with the wraps attached. Actually I no longer need them because my wrists no longer bother me.

 

[fitgoddess]

RE: My wrists

Another thing is that whenever doing planks, I have to go "on my knuckles"...and there are a lot of moves in yoga that require you to have your wrists bent on the floow at 90 degrees, holding your body up....again, I have been doing knuckles for a couple of years now. My wrists are fine with the 5 lbs, it's when I go above 5 that they strain..and ithe wrists actaully don't start straining until the last few reps.

 

[Tonilah]

RE: My wrists

how long have you felt this pain? what is the pain like? a sharp pain? a dull pain? do you feel the same pain when doing other activites (typing, driving,etc?) when was the last time you got a bone density test? do you have a history arthritis in your family?

it's hard to come up with a remedy w/out getting a few basic questions outta the way.

anyhow, if there are no predispositions....i first suggest doing wrist strengthening exercises (wrist curls w/wieghts, wrist twists, etc). these exercise can strengthen your forearm muscles as well.

avoid lifting heavy weights if your wrists aren't ready to prevent injury

 

[SRP]

RE: My wrists

You could have problems with tendons, such as tendonitis. Take the advice of others here and see a doctor, and keep those wrists straight when you lift.

As for holding yourself on your knuckles, be careful. IMO, our hands weren't really designed to hold us that way, so future injuries are possible.

I've had tendon issues myself. The one thing that will cure tendonitis is rest. That's tough, I know. Another thing is to make sure you're warmed up - even when you do yoga, warm your body up first, before you start into that serious stretching.

 

[fitgoddess]

RE: My wrists

I do think it is some type of joint-stress issue....as I also have little knee issues as well. As while the recent wrist issue has only crept up in the past month, now that I think back, the wrist issue when doing yoga was always off and on for years. I saw Citysports has a couple of types of wrist bands for under $10, so I am going to try those out to see if they make a difference.

 

[Tonilah]

RE: My wrists

i'd be carefull with wrist bands....

for the most part your wrists are telling you 2 things 'i'm feeling weak' and 'i'm feeling stressed'

i'd pick up wrst bands if the doc tells you to, otherwise i'd work on strengthing the wrist and giving them a rest when they ask you for one (when it starts to hurt )

i've always felt that wrist bands, knee bands and all that delay recovery. Unless recomended by a doctor for a physical reason.