Tip 1: No more death grip!
When you hold or pick up anything, be sure to have a light grip. You want just enough force not to drop what you’re holding, but many of us grip things way too tightly, which is unnecessary and will cause fatigue. Just like we tell our patients to use a light grip when brushing, we need to use a light grip too.
Tip 2: Use ergonomic handles
Handles, such as what’s on our scaler or mirror, need to be wide, light, textured, and balanced to be considered ergonomic. We use far less force when holding on to something wide versus something thin. When I’m doing my ergonomic assessments, I often see wide-handled scalers. But what else do I often see? Thin, heavy, metal mirror handles. Our nondominant arm needs attention, too! Be sure you’re using wide-handed mirrors as well as scalers.
Tip 3: Choose cordless
I’ve been using a cordless polisher for a few years now, and I’ll never go back! The weight of corded polishers (due to the handpiece and cord) requires you to increase your grip to hold it as well as move it around the mouth. You don’t realize how heavy that cord is until it’s gone! There are many on the market to choose from, and they make a huge a difference.
Tip 4: Take your microbreaks
Regular stretching of the forearms will relieve tension and increase blood flow to overworked muscles. Often, clinicians develop pain in their wrists or elbows due to overworked and tight forearm flexors and extensors. You can view my favorite forearm microbreak here.
These are just a few tips to keep your hands healthy. There are others, such as using a suction device, hand strengthening, hydration, and diet, which all add up to help prevent hand injury and help you feel your best!
Being mindful of how you use your body in the op, combined with ergonomic equipment, will protect you and ensure you can practice for as long as you want. Protect your hands because without them, you won’t be able to do what you love!
