Can you get rid of "Mom's Hands (De Quervain's disease)" by doing exercise?

It got its name because "mom's hands" often appear on the hands of housewives who have to deal with a lot of housework. When mothers take care of household chores at home, such as twisting towels, holding children, etc., they often need to use their thumbs and wrists to make the same movements repeatedly. After a period of time, the ligaments will thicken and compress the underlying tendons, narrowing the channels. At this time, it will be painful to use force on the thumb and wrist to do daily housework, because the ligaments and tendons have become inflamed. In addition to taking care of children and handling household chores, the current popularity of electronic products has further increased the risk of De Quervain's disease.

Since "Mom's Hands" are caused by repetitive movements, wouldn't doing exercises increase the burden on the hands? If "Mom's Hands" has just started and your hands still feel pain, it is not advisable to start exercising. It is advisable to wait until the inflamed area has subsided and then rest your thumb and wrist for a period of time before starting to exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the hand muscles and reduce the burden on the tendons when exerting force on the thumb and wrist. Proper hand movements can also relax muscles and reduce hand inflammation.

The following are two simple hand movements:

1. Make a fist with your hand and place it in front of your body, wrap your thumb in it with four fingers. Then slowly pull your fist down toward the ground until your hand feels tight, and stay there for about ten seconds.
   

2. With your palm facing down and in front of your body, place your thumb under your index finger and slowly open it outward until it is 90° to the index finger.

Repeat each group of exercises 10 times, and do 3 groups every day. Remember that the general principle of exercise is that you will not feel pain. If you feel pain, you should stop immediately to avoid injury.

Prevention is better than cure. You should avoid repeated use of your wrist for long periods of time on weekdays. Since Mom's Hands often appears on the dominant hand, it is recommended to work alternately with both hands as much as possible. Proper rest is also very important. You should take a 5-minute break every 45 minutes to avoid long-term stress on your hands. If pain, redness and swelling persist or become severe, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

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Disclaimer: This article is prepared by an independent third party and is not sponsored. The content provided is solely for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not represent any specific viewpoint. In the event of any discomfort or health issues, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.