Best Hand Exercises for Hairdressers

From Dr. Z - Carpal tunnel syndrome specialist

Best Hand Exercises for Hairdressers

Hair styling is in the top 5 of the most risky professions for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. But performing these specific, routine hand exercises for hairdressers is the the most effective way to prevent symptoms from worsening.


The following hand exercises (for hairdressers or anybody else who uses their hands similarly) take only 2-3 minutes to perform. Incorporate them into your daily life NOW, so that carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t shortcut your career.




The 5 core exercises for hairdressers

It only takes 2-3 minutes to do ALL of these stretches. Do each one for 15 seconds per hand. Since they're quick to do, do them in between clients. These hand stretches will:

 

  • Lubricate tendons from the arm to the fingers
  • Increase blood flow to the fingers & hand
  • Break up tendon adhesions from the arm to the fingers
  • Drain fluid from inside the wrist joint 

1. Finger grab stretch (2 seconds per finger)

finger grab exercise

One by one, grab each finger and pull it back gently until you feel a good stretch at its base. Hold it for 2 seconds. 


When pulling your thumb backward, move it from side to side in a circular fashion - like a helicopter blade.


These particular hand exercises will stretch finger tendons and facilitate tendon lubrication.

2. Stop stretch (10 seconds per hand)

stop position exercise

Put your fingers together and hold them out straight in front of you as if saying "Stop!” With your other hand, gently pull all upturned fingers backward and hold for 10 seconds. Then reverse hands and repeat. 


Next, drop both hands to your sides and shake them out vigorously for 5 seconds. If they feel warm it means blood is flowing into your hand and fingers. Repeat the exercise another time.

3. Finger interlace stretch (10 seconds)

finger interlace stretching exercise

You will feel this stretch mostly in your wrist area and fingers. 


Interlace your fingers. Then rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing forward. Then straighten out your elbows. 


Hold this position for 10 seconds.Then drop you hands and shake them out. Repeat the stretch one more time.

4. Prayer stretch (10 seconds)

prayer position stretch

This exercise uses the “prayer” position. It stretches your entire forearm tendons. Bring your hands together like you’re praying, and close to your chest. Point fingers upward. As you press your palms together, slowly raise both elbows but not your shoulders. Hold this for 10 seconds, then drop your hands and shake them out. Repeat again. 


Do you feel your forearms stretching? Of all the hand exercises here, this one is the most effective for breaking adhesions along the entire tendon’s length. It stretches tendons running from your forearm muscles to your fingertips.

5. Wrist massage (10 seconds each wrist)

myofascial release on your own wrist

This is designed as an individual massage to knead the interior structures of your wrist. Use your opposite thumb and push it into your wrist and forearm, just below the wrist crease. You’ll feel the ropy tendons below the skin. Rub that area deeply with circular strokes for 15 seconds. Repeat this for your other hand. 


This is as close to myofascial release therapy you can get by doing it on yourself. In addition to breaking adhesions apart, it drains excess fluid from inside the carpal tunnel space deep inside your wrist joint.

Conclusion

Perform these simple and fast exercises in between clients, and you you will never have hand problems again. They're quick and guarantee that hurting hands or carpal tunnel syndrome will never pay you a visit. Good luck -- and if you need personal attention regarding your hand problems, feel free to contact us at help@CarpalRx.com. We're the experts!