Waiter's Guide To Avoiding Arm Injuries

If you occasionally develop pain in your hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow, then you know your days waiting tables may become numbered. Your forearm may become sore after carrying a heavy load of plates, and you can feel your grip weakening when you pour pitchers of water at your tables. Here are some possible explanations for your discomfort, and some simple exercises that can help eliminate your symptoms.

Where Is Your Pain Coming From?

You May Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you develop carpal tunnel syndrome, you might experience numbness in your fingers (except your little one) and difficulty gripping objects. If you have a constant feeling of numbness in your hand, or your discomfort makes it impossible for you to work, then you may require medical treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage.

How To Treat Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

Carpal tunnel can be caused by repetitive motions as simple as writing orders with a pen and carrying trays. If you think you are experiencing the warning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, you should try to give your arm a rest. Avoid carrying heavy objects, writing, and using your hand as much as possible for a few days. You may find it helpful to wear a brace on your hand and wrist to alleviate your symptoms.

It Could Be Tennis Elbow

Believe it or not, you could be experiencing tennis elbow while you are waiting tables, too. Tennis elbow can occur when you strain the tendons of your forearms, and you may feel it in your elbow, your forearm, and/or your wrist. If you feel a shooting pain when you grasp or squeeze objects, then you may be suffering from this ailment.

Getting Rid Of Tennis Elbow

Improving the strength in your arms and increasing flexibility are effective treatments for tennis elbow. Here is a list of exercises that are considered effective treatment for tennis elbow. They include simple stretches like:

  • Extending your arm and folding your hand up at the wrist and down at the wrist can help you stretch your tendons safely.
  • Gripping a soup can with your thumbs pointing up, then slowly rotating your thumbs inward and then back. 
  • Apply two fingers to the sore area of your elbow and rub.

Don't panic when you wake up with sore arms. When you address your symptoms early through rest and simple stretching, you can avoid missing work and causing serious damage to your arms. If the pain in your arms continues, get in touch with a professional such as Hand Rehabilitation Specialists.

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