How to relieve wrist pain for chefs

Generally, wrist pain in chefs may be caused by long-term repetitive motion strain, improper wrist posture, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medications, and other methods. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Long-term repetitive motion strain: Chefs frequently perform tasks such as chopping vegetables, flipping pans, and kneading dough, causing the wrist to repeat the same movements over extended periods. This sustained stress on muscles and ligaments can lead to pain. It is advisable to pause every 30 minutes during work and perform wrist stretching exercises—such as extending the wrist with palms facing upward for 10 seconds, alternating between hands—to relieve muscle tension.

2. Improper wrist posture: Excessive bending of the wrist while chopping or uneven force application when flipping pans can result in uneven pressure on the wrist joint, leading to pain. Adjust working posture by keeping the wrist naturally straight when chopping, and use knives with non-slip handles to reduce strain on the wrist.

3. Tenosynovitis: Repeated friction of tendons in the wrist causes aseptic inflammation, with pain localized at the tendon attachment sites. There may also be snapping sensations during movement. Patients should follow medical advice to take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets, or celecoxib capsules.

4. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel leads to wrist pain and numbness in the fingers, particularly noticeable at night or upon waking in the morning. Patients may take medications as directed by a physician, such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, or dexamethasone tablets, to nourish nerves and reduce edema.

5. Osteoarthritis: Degeneration and damage of wrist joint cartilage lead to worn joint surfaces, with pain worsening during movement. This condition is commonly seen in chefs who have engaged in long-term physically demanding work. Patients should take medications as prescribed, such as glucosamine hydrochloride capsules, chondroitin sulfate tablets, or etoricoxib tablets, to protect joint cartilage and alleviate pain.

After daily work, soaking the wrists in warm water for 10 minutes can promote local blood circulation. During rest periods, appropriate wrist-strengthening exercises such as using a grip strength ball can enhance muscular support in the wrist. Wearing suitable work shoes to maintain balanced standing posture can indirectly reduce wrist strain and aid in pain relief.