A round of applause for your hands! They’re the only tool I know that can do everything from typing a resume to steering a car to catching a fastball.
Since we rely on our hands for all of these things and much more, you’d think we would make extreme efforts to take good care of them. But, instead, we too often take our hands for granted. Many people take unnecessary chances, misusing and abusing their hands to the point of pain and injury. Here are a few risky examples: slicing a bagel while holding it in the hand; constantly texting and emailing on a smartphone; cutting open a heavy box with a flimsy pair of scissors.
Though many of us have heard these recommendations before, we sometimes ignore them: Cut with the knife blade away from you; Use your personal devices with moderation; Use the proper tool for the job. In our constantly connected, multi-tasking society, it is tempting to take shortcuts instead of taking the time to use proper equipment and safer techniques. But a shortcut may land you in a medical facility with a laceration, repetitive strain injury or worse.
I have seen a “bagel-cutting injury” result in a severed thumb tendon, requiring surgery and weeks of immobilization and hand rehabilitation. The injured individual said, “I cut bagels all the time. Why didn’t anyone tell me this could happen?”
Now I’m telling you. Be good to your hands! They’re the only two you’ve got. I implore you to treat them with the reverence and care they deserve.
We use our hands constantly and with great versatility. We rely on them for nearly everything we do. Using them is great; abusing them is not. Use your hands carefully, selecting the proper tools for the tasks and avoiding excessive force and repetition. You’ll then be better able to continue doing those things you want to do: count your change, tie your shoes, send an email or paint a masterpiece.
Nancy M. Lowe is a certified ergonomist, registered physical therapist and certified hand therapist. She has prevented and treated pain and injuries in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 20 years. Contact her at nm****@pa**************.com.
