Hand cramps can be painful. They can also be crippling. According to Harvard Health Publications, they are often caused by overuse and dehydration, but can also be a symptom of calcium or magnesium deficiency. Here are the best home remedies for hand cramps:
1. Bar soap. Did you know the sensory neurons in your skin can actually detect scent? According to the People's Pharmacy, when you hold a bar of fragrant soap, sensory neurons respond to the scent from the volatile oils by recalibrating the motor neurons and relaxing the cramp.
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2. Warm washcloth. Wrapping the cramped hand in a warm wash cloth can relax the muscle and increase blood flow to the cramped tissue. Best Health Magazine Canada recommends applying heat in 20-minute on-off intervals.
3. Wintergreen oil. Best Health Magazine Canada recommends mixing 1 part wintergreen oil with 4 parts vegetable oil and massaging the natural pain reliever and blood flow stimulator into the cramped muscle.
4. Fist exercises. To prevent a hand cramp when writing or doing other hand-intensive activities, ePainAssist suggests clenching the fist tightly and then slowly releasing, stretching the fingers outward. Next, ball the hand into a fist and move the wrist up and down and then clockwise and counter-clockwise. Repeat these exercises several times before writing.
5. Pinch your lip. Seriously! This tip from Dr. David Williams supposedly has a 90 percent success rate. Simply use your thumb and index finger to pinch the upper lip. Maintain constant pressure for at least 20 seconds and up to three minutes.
6. Pickle juice. Reportedly, the Philadelphia Eagles drink two ounces of pickle juice before NFL games to prevent cramps. If the idea of drinking pickle juice has your face cramping, eat a slice of sour pickle, as advocated on the website for Dr. David Williams.
7. Praying hands. Stretching and strengthening the hands will make them more resistant to hand cramps. Healthline recommends placing the hands, arms, and elbows together in a "prayer" position. The hands should be face-height and elbows in line with your chest. Slowly separate your elbows while lowering your still-pressed-together hands. Stop at your belly button or when you feel a bit of a strain in the stretch, whichever comes first.
8. Tennis ball squeeze. Keep a tennis ball at your desk and squeeze it for 5- 10 seconds whenever you have a free moment. Healthline says this exercise is particularly good for strengthening the wrist.
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