When you think about gaming, physical injury probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After all, what could be less physical than interacting with virtual worlds from your couch? The truth, however, is that gaming can lead to physical injury depending on a person’s physical health and the amount of time they spend gaming.
Gaming and carpal tunnel syndrome often go hand in hand, and failing to stretch your hands, wrists, and arms regularly when playing video games for long periods can have detrimental effects on health. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to prevent carpal tunnel and reduce the risk of injury when gaming. Below are some tips:
Take Breaks Often
Even though it can be hard to step away when you’re in the middle of a marathon winning streak, it’s good to take regular breaks when gaming for long periods of time. By taking 5-10 minute breaks at least once per hour, you can reduce the chances of gaming to cause injuries. Remember that carpal tunnel can cause a lot of pain and discomfort when you engage in repetitive movements for hours every single day.
Roll Your Wrists
carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrists, so in addition to stretching your hands and arms, roll your wrists slowly every 15 minutes or so when gaming. To do this, put down your controller or take your hands off your mouse and keyboard. Allow your hands and wrists to relax, then slowly rotate your wrists to roll your hands around in a circular motion. You don’t want to do this too fast or with any real force because of the risk of pulling muscles or making existing problems worse.
Talk to Your Doctor
It’s also a good idea to work with your doctor if you’re concerned about gaming and carpal tunnel syndrome. If you experience any pain while playing a game, you’re encouraged to stop immediately and wait until you’ve had a consultation before resuming any activity that you believe has led to a physical health concern.
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