Massaging your wrists is one of the best ways to relieve wrist pain. Wrist pain is caused by stress, strain, and overuse of the hands and wrists, as well as sports and hobbies that involve repetitive wrist motions. The primary source of wrist pain comes from overuse—repeating the same motions over and over again can cause inflammation, swelling, and even impact your nerves.
Looking at your wrists right now, do they feel sore and stiff? Even if you don’t spend all day typing or working with your hands, the constant tension of your muscles can cause a lot of strain on your joints.
Wrist massage works because it increases blood flow to the muscles, tendons, and nerves in your wrist. Increased blood flow means more oxygen getting to the tissue, which helps with healing from any kind of strain or injury.
In addition, massaging your wrists can help relieve stress and tension in this area. Read more about why massaging your wrists feels good, what you should look out for if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, how to do a simple massage on yourself at home, and tips on what oils are best for massaging your wrists.
Is Massage Good for Wrist Pain?
Massage is a great way to relieve wrist pain caused by overexertion, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and other conditions affecting the hands and wrists. For example, tennis elbow is a common problem affecting the tendons on the inside of your elbow. It can also cause pain and stiffness in the muscles of your wrist, thumb, and hand.
Massage can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing in these areas. While massage may not cure an illness or injury, it can help you cope with pain and discomfort and manage symptoms. As a result, massages are an important part of overall healthcare.
Wrist Pain Pressure Points
If you have wrist pain and are looking to massage the wrist, try to find the points that are located at the wrist's joint. These pressure points are often found at the tops and sides of the forearm and in the creases at either side of the wrist that you can apply pressure to when you massage your wrists to relieve pain and improve blood flow.
1. The first is located on the inside of your wrist, just below the first joint of your thumb. To find this pressure point, make a fist with one hand and press your thumb into the fleshy part of your palm. You should feel a little bump in the center. This pressure point is great for relieving wrist pain and discomfort caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries to the hands and wrists.
2. The second pressure point is on the inside of your wrist, in the hollow between the two bones. To find this spot, turn your hand so that the palm is facing up, and make a loose fist. To apply pressure to this spot, make a loose fist with your other hand and press your knuckles into the inside of your wrist. This pressure point is also good for relieving wrist pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.
Pressing on the tops of the forearm above the wrist may help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Massaging the sides of the wrist can help relieve pain in the wrist and forearm.
Why Does Massaging Your Wrists Feel Good?
When you massage your wrists, you increase blood flow to the tissues in this area. This helps your wrists recover faster after injury, stress, or any overuse.
In addition, massaging your wrists can help release harmful molecules, including cortisol and lactic acid, that build up in your muscles after strenuous activity. Blood flow is also important because it carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells, which powers them and helps them grow.
So why does massaging your wrists feel good? Well, one reason is that when you use your hands a lot, they can get really tight. This can cause pain and even injuries. When your hands are really tense, it's hard to let go of the stress and anxiety that builds up during the day. When your hands are relaxed, it's much easier to relax the rest of your body and melt away stress and tension.
What's the Benefit of Massaging Your Wrists?
There are many benefits to massaging your wrists, including reduced pain and inflammation, increased circulation, and relaxation. Your wrists are a common area for pain and discomfort because they are used so much in daily activities, like typing, driving, and gardening, as well as in sports and hobbies. Pain in the wrists can happen when you overuse your hands and do activities that put stress on your wrists. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common wrist injury caused by repetitive movements that put pressure on the median nerve running through the wrist.
Massaging your wrists can help by increasing blood flow and circulation in this area, which helps reduce pain and speed up healing.
In addition, massage is also a great way to relax and calm your mind and body. It can help you de-stress and relax before bedtime. Studies show that massage can help people fall asleep faster and sleep better.
How to Massage Your Sore Wrists for Pain Relief?
There are a few different options for how to massage your wrists, and you can do each one in just a few minutes each day to relieve pain and promote healing. Because your hands and wrists are used so much in daily activities and sports, it’s important to take care of them. To relieve pain in your wrists, try one or more of these self-massage techniques:
1. Scrub your wrists - Scrub your wrists with an exfoliating sponge or loofah. This will help to remove built-up toxins from your skin and promote blood flow to the area.
2. Pressure points - Find and apply pressure to the two pressure points on the inside of your wrist. You can do this by making a fist with one hand and pressing your knuckles into the inside of the other wrist.
3. Pressure point massage - Use your thumbs to apply pressure to the base of each thumb, the base of your palm, the outside of your wrist, and the heel of your hand.
What to Look Out For When Massaging Your Wrists?
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you should avoid massaging your wrists. This can actually make your symptoms worse. If you’re not sure if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, see a doctor to get an official diagnosis.
If you have a cut, open wound, or skin infection on your hands, it’s best not to massage your wrists. The bacteria in your hands can easily enter your bloodstream through open wounds and cause infection in your wrists.
If you have a rash on your hands, avoid using oils on your wrists as they may make the rash worse.
If your hands are extremely dry or callused, try a gentle scrub or exfoliation without any pressure. Avoid scrubbing your hands or wrists too hard or frequently, as this can make the condition worse.
- Be careful not to press too hard on your wrist or use too much pressure.
- Avoid pressing on your arteries, which are on the top of your wrists.
- Use a gentle, rhythmic motion when you massage your wrists.
- If you feel tingling or numbness in your fingers, massage them more gently.
- If you have diabetes or poor circulation, check with your doctor before massaging your hands or wrists.
- If you have a wrist injury, you should massage the area very gently.
Best Massage for Wrist Pain
There are many different kinds of massages that are great for wrist pain. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Finger massage - This massage can be done with one hand or two. Using your fingers, press and rub the palm of your hand and the fleshy part of your fingers.
2. Pressure point massage - This massage can be done on your wrists, hands, and fingers. For a wrist massage, use your thumbs to apply pressure to the base of your palm, the heel of your hand, the outside of your wrist, and the inside of your wrist between your thumb and index finger.
3. Massage oil or balm - Using massage oil or balm on your hands and wrists will soften and hydrate your skin. You can use simple vegetable oil, lotion, or any kind of balm, like peppermint or lavender.
How to Massage Hands and Fingers?
Massaging hands and fingers is a great way to soothe tension and stress away. It also improves blood flow, which is important for overall health. There are many ways to give yourself a hand massage, but most experts recommend using oil so that your hands stay moisturized. You can find many oils in health food stores that are great for this, or you can use a light olive oil.
Tips for Finding the Right Oil for Wrist Massage
When you massage your wrists, you can use a few different oils to soften and moisturize your skin. Here are a few tips for finding the right oils for wrist massage:
1. Pick a scent you like - Look for oils with scents you enjoy, like lavender, peppermint, or citrus.
2. Choose natural oils - Choose a natural oil, like coconut oil, almond oil, or avocado oil, over synthetic oils like mineral oil.
3. Pick a light oil - Pick an oil that isn’t too thick and won’t build up or clog the pores on your hands or wrists.
4. Pick an oil with healing properties - Some oils can promote healing and help treat certain conditions.
Here are a few healing oils you can use:
- Coconut oil is loaded with fats and antioxidants, which can be good for your skin.
- Almond oil is high in vitamins A and E, which can help moisturize your skin.
- Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids and amino acids that can help soften your skin.
- Jojoba oil is great for sensitive skin because it has similar properties to sebum, a natural oil found in your skin.
How to Perform a Self-Massage on Your Wrists?
When you are stressed or have pain or stiffness in your wrists, try this basic self-massage on your wrists. You can also do this whenever you are sitting at a computer for long hours, or if you do a lot of typing, typing, or play sports that involve the wrist.
Warm-up - Start with 10 to 20 minutes of gentle hand exercises, like squeezing your fingers, rotating your wrists, and stretching your fingers and hands. This will warm up your hands and loosen your muscles so they are more pliable during the massage.
Step 1: Use smooth stones or a heat pack on your wrists. Put smooth stones or a heat pack on your wrists and massage them gently.
Step 2: Press your thumb into the creases on the top and bottom of each wrist. Press your thumb into the creases on the top and bottom of each wrist.
Step 3: Press your thumb on the outside of each wrist. Press your thumb on the outside of each wrist, toward the pinky side of your hand.
Step 4: Massage the top and bottom of each wrist. Use your other hand to massage the top and bottom of each wrist.
Step 5: Repeat the above steps on your other hand.
For the best results and the most pain relief, you can perform a self-massage on your wrists at least once per week!