Carpal tunnel is a painful condition in which the median nerve, which extends to your wrist, is compressed. Your doctor may suggest carpal tunnel exercises to prevent developing carpal tunnel if you are at risk for developing the condition. Unfortunately, if you already have carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist exercises will not likely alleviate symptoms such as numbness or pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Wrist Exercise One
Make a loose fist with your right hand, with your palm facing the sky. After you've made the loose fist with your right hand, take your left hand to gently press down against the loose fist on your right hand. Make sure that your wrist is completely straight throughout the exercise while you resist the force of pressure from your left hand pushing down your right hand for a period of five seconds. Next you will turn your right fist over so that your palm is facing the ground and press your knuckles against your left hand which should be completely open. You will do this for another five seconds. After you've completed this part of the exercise, you will take your loose right fist and position your fist so that your thumb is facing upward, like you were giving a thumbs-up sign, and press down again for five more seconds. Once you have completely exercised your right hand, use the same techniques to exercise your left hand.
Wrist Exercise Two
For the second wrist exercise, raise your arm so that it is parallel with your shoulder with your palm facing down and fingers together. You should now resemble a shoulder-high salute. Use the other hand to press against the back of the hand of the shoulder-high hand so that you stretch the wrist with your fingers still together and hold this position for five seconds. Next you will do the same exercise but with your fingers spread apart and this should also be for a five second period. Repeat this exercise five times on each hand for a total of 10 repetitions.
Wrist Exercise Three
This exercise is known as a wrist circle, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. To begin this exercise, hold up your second and third fingers of your right hand and close the other fingers. Your fingers should resemble a peace sign or as if you were making the Boy Scout salute. With your two fingers out, draw five clockwise circles in the air, then five counter-clockwise circles in the air and repeat the same exercise with your left hand.
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