I tried doing wrist exercises for a month and my hands have never been stronger

I’ve suffered from weak wrists and tendonitis since I became a mom (nine years ago!), which apparently is quite common because of all the hormonal changes in pregnancy.

The extra pressure on my wrist tendons from holding and carrying my two daughters, plus spending the last 26 years typing for work, probably hasn’t helped.

I’ve tried all sorts to fix it—physiotherapy, acupuncture, wrist supports and steroid injections—but it’s only ever offered short-term relief.

I recently started doing wrist exercises at my two weekly seated exercise classes for seniors, many of whom have arthritic hands and are desperate for ways to improve their mobility. I found them so effective that I’d almost forgotten about my sore wrists.

Here’s what else I discovered:

My range of motion has increased

Before doing regular wrist exercises, I found that certain movements, like picking up my cup of tea or even holding my daughter’s hand at the wrong angle, would cause a shooting pain through my thumbs and wrists and up into my arms. But now my range of motion—how far I can move my wrist—has dramatically increased, and movement in general is easier, with minimal, if any, pain.

My grip strength is better

The wrist exercises I’ve been doing—rotations, waves, curls and extensions—also worked my forearms, which in turn has improved my grip strength. This is one of my priorities this year because I know that a weaker grip can be a sign that you are more prone to serious health issues and diseases, including heart problems and even some cancers.

My pain has dramatically reduced

The most obvious benefit of doing regular wrist exercises is the pain relief—it made me almost forget about my tendinitis. I’ve not had to see my physio for ages, and the chronic pain I had been living with has virtually disappeared.