Wednesday, January 11, 2012

How to Reduce Wrist Soreness from Boxing?


There are several conditions that can cause wrist soreness from boxing because of the amount of force and pressure placed on your wrists during punches and falls. Carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis and fractures can all cause soreness during or after boxing. Consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Identification
The wrist soreness you experience from carpal tunnel syndrome can radiate up your arm or down your hand. You may notice numbness in the hand and fingers which is worse upon waking up and when your hands are cold. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness that is most noticeable in the mornings. A fractured wrist will make it difficult to use your hand because of pain and swelling. Your hand may also appear crooked or deformed unless the fracture is small.
Causes
The carpal tunnel of the wrist is a narrow passage that protects the median nerve that runs from your forearm to your hand. Pressure against the median nerve causes the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Punches from boxing cause repetitive force on your hands, wrist and forearm, which could lead to compression or irritation of the median nerve. If your osteoarthritis is not a part of the normal aging process, it's likely you overused your wrist through repetitive boxing motions, leading to the breakdown of cartilage and causing the bones to rub against each other. Enough force on the bones in your wrist can cause a wrist fracture.
Treatments
Rest will be needed for carpal tunnel syndrome and fractures. Icing the wrist in combination with taking ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and swelling in your wrist associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Your doctor could administer a corticosteroid injection to relieve the pressure, but if you're not experiencing relief after these treatment methods or the symptoms are getting worse, surgery is likely needed. There is no cure for osteoarthritis; however, topical pain relievers and corticosteroids can reduce inflammation. Your doctor can also recommend a brace to wear for your osteoarthritis. If your hand is fractured, a simple fracture can be treated with a cast. However, if the bone is unstable, surgery will be needed so pins, screws and rods can hold your wrist's bones in place.
Prevention
In the sport of boxing, wrist soreness from time to time is inevitable, but you can lessen the problems you experience by wrapping your wrists to protect your bones, ligaments and tendons. Properly fitting gloves can also reduce your risk of injury to your wrist. Utilizing proper form while throwing punches can also reduce your risk of injuries. Take small breaks to rest your wrists if you have carpal tunnel to lessen the severity of the pain and reduce your risk of more inflammation.

 
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