Fact Checked
Writer’s cramp is a condition caused by continuous cramps for an extended period in the muscles of hands or fingers. The cramps are caused by involuntary contraction of the muscles while performing a specific task. When it affects only one area of the body is called focal dystonia and it is a type of writer’s cramp. In addition, it is a repetitive strain injury.
Causes of writer’s cramps
- Sudden increase in the time for writing
- Long hours of writing or performing repetitive activities that involves the use of fingers and hands.
- Having a history of the injury
- Dehydration
- Exercising in high temperatures
- Overuse injuries such as playing musical instruments, excessive gripping of pen, utensils and tools, excessive flexing of the wrist and finger extension
Pain in the hands and fingers with prolonged time of writing. - Electrolyte imbalances
- Diabetic stiff hand syndrome
- Arthritis
Symptoms
- At first, pain in the hands and fingers with prolonged time of writing
- Difficulty in writing
- Awkward gripping of the pen and holding it too tight
- Pain in the fingers, hand and wrist or forearms and difficult coordination of hands
- Jerking of hands while trying to write or tremors in an outstretched hand
- Lastly, a severe condition will result to inability to write
Treatment
- Rest the affected area. Generally, limit activities that result to straining the hands. Resting makes the muscle relax and for fast healing of the condition.
- Take the prescribed medication such as anti-inflammatory medicines, muscle relaxants and pain killers to lessen the pain and the inflammations.
- Regular stretching exercises for the hand to lessen the symptoms. Furthermore, perform stretching exercises for the basal joint, found at the bottom of the thumb to restore full mobilization of this joint to lessen the symptoms of hand cramps.
- Massage or rub the muscles of the affected area to lessen the pain and the inflammation.
- Apply hot compress on the affected area. Generally, it can be in the form of a heating pad or hot towel to relax the muscles and lessen the pain and the inflammations. Avoid heat directly on the skin. Wrap whatever heat therapy is used using a towel before placing to the area to prevent further irritations and worsen the condition.
- Take Epsom salt baths. Fill a bathtub with warm water add a cup of Epsom salt. Furthermore, the magnesium sulfate relaxes the muscles in the hand and lessens the twitching of the muscles.
- Lastly, increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration and relieve of hand cramps.
Tips
- Performing muscle strengthening exercises
- Adequate stretching
- Performing low impact exercises such as swimming, cycling or walking
- Prevent dehydration
- Lastly, using the appropriate hand tools to prevent exerting a strong force
Disclaimer / More Information
The material posted on this page on writer’s cramp is for learning purposes only. Learn to properly manage the condition by taking a first aid and CPR class with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer%27s_cramp