A secret massage method that softens the wrist [Things Guitarists should know about their body]

Hello!
My name is Takuto Fujioka, a guitarist who looks at the guitarist’s posture.

Have you ever had a pain in your wrist while playing the guitar?
What do you do when your wrist hurts?
I think many people have been confused, bending their wrists to stretch and rubbing the muscles around their arms.

This time, I would like to take a look at how to massage the wrist, something the general public may not know!
(I wrote "massage", but in the rehabilitation industry, it is a rehabilitation technique called joint mobilization. It seems that hard-working therapists will get angry, "Massage and mobilization are different specialties!" I chose the word "massage" with priority, so I hope you can take the word "massage" in a broad sense this time.)

This article is not limited to guitarists, but it is worth knowing for those who play musical instruments with their hands and those who work using their hands. Please learn this stretch and use it in your daily life!

I'd like to get right into it, but first of all, I’d like to talk briefly about the structure of the wrist. This image is of the right wrist. The bluish parts of the image are called the carpal bones. This time I will explain how to massage the carpal bones.

Carpal bones is a general term for eight small bones that are different in shape. There are many ligaments around the carpal bones.

You don't have to remember the names of the bones and joints, but please be vaguely aware that the wrist structure looks like this.

The purpose of this massage is to increase the flexibility of the wrist joints, muscles and ligaments by moving the carpal bones.
Let's try it!

Think of the position of the carpal bones as the boundary between the hand and the arm. Compare the photo with your arm and note the approximate position.

This area has many wrinkles on the wrist. Is it around here? This is okay.

Once you find the position, hold it with your other hand so that the carpal bones are pinched. Then, use your fingers to gently push it inward, pull it toward you, or shake it.
At this time, keep in mind to move slowly, and be careful not to put too much force on it or it will hurt. There is no need to increase the range of movement.

Once you get the hang of it, the carpal bones are a collection of multiple bones, so try moving each one. I think it will be more effective.

I don't think it is necessary to decide the number of times as long as there is no burden to the wrist.
Keep doing it until your wrists feel light.
After moving the carpal bones around, try bending, stretching, turning, and various other movements to stretch the wrist.
Do you feel that your wrists are not as tight and your movements are lighter when you compare them before and after?
I massaged my wrists and took before and after shots.

Before

After

How is it, can you see the change? I think that the after has improved in flexibility, and the range of movement has increased for both bending and flexing. It may look like a subtle change in the picture, but it feels very easy to move now.

If you do this stretch before or after playing the guitar, the strain on your wrists and surrounding muscles will be significantly reduced. Even people who do not have pain or stiffness can maintain and improve their flexibility by doing this from time to time. Please try it for yourself!
See you next time!