Hands perform a lot of work. When hands work for long hours a day, it becomes stiff and cramped. A hand that is subjected to repetitive stress injuries can be cramped. The cramp may be a slight discomfort or it can be extremely painful to the point that it becomes debilitating. It is always important to give hands time to rest to avoid repetitive stress injuries that can cause cramping.
- Hands can become stressed from work, prolonged positioning, or strenuous activity.
- The intensity of the cramp may range from slight discomfort to extremely painful.
- Some cramps are only temporary and can be relieved by comfort measures such as stretching, hand exercises, squeezing stress balls, and the like, while some cramps persist for long periods of time without relief.
- If left untreated, muscle cramps can become debilitating enough to put a person off work.
Natural Causes of Muscle Cramps in Hands and Feet
The exact cause of a muscle cramp is not known. Some of the following factors have been known to induce muscle cramping in the hands:
- Muscle fatigue
- Poor muscle conditioning
- Depleted electrolytes
- Dehydration
- Alteration of neuromuscular control
Muscle Cramps in Hands and Feet
- Hands are not the only parts of the body that are prone to cramping, the feet can also be cramped too.
- Other parts of the body that can experience muscle cramps include the leg, thighs, arms, and even the abdomen.
- Experiencing a muscle cramp can be extremely dangerous in certain conditions such as when driving, swimming, or carrying heavy objects.
- When a muscle spasms, the person loses power and control over the muscle and can experience pain.
- Several accidents have resulted from muscle cramping alone.