Finger/wrist pain from cubing

[Graedog]

I was wondering what people do to avoid cubing induced wrist/finger pain? I don't get much yet but sometimes my wrists tire and hurt a little from too much cubing. It's not very serious but I just wanted to know what I should do before it possibly worsens. It would be appreciated if someone with experience in this issue could help. Thank you to anybody who answers.

 

[shadowslice e]

It's probably a repetitive strain injry or something. Try changing the way you fingertrick and turn the cube to find a way that doesn't strain so much.

Or just take a break.

 

[Zerksies]

I've hand hand surgeries from non cubing injuries. I can usually go for a few hours without any problems. But your probably doing it too long plus the way you are probably executing is bad as well

 

[Graedog]

I'm quite sure that I use "correct" finger tricks by most speedcubers' standards.

 

[Graedog]

I think it could be from over-cubing when I first started out. I was obsessed with 3x3 for at least a year and a half. I probably did 3-5 hours a day of practicing a day, not counting untimed random cube movements.

 

[shadowslice e]

I'm quite sure that I use "correct" finger tricks by most speedcubers' standards.

I'm not saying that you don't. I'm just saying they might not be good for you because of whatever way the tendons/bones etc in your hand are set up.

Like for example my dad types in the "correct" way and uses a mouse and touchpad normally but he still gets a repetitive strain which has forced him to learn to type in a slightly different way which stresses his hands less.(though granted he is also a software engineers so he probably types more than most other people in his day to day life.)

 

[Graedog]

Would you have a recommended amount of practice time a day for 3x3? I practice somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 hours a day with frequent breaks (I'm testing to see if these breaks will help). But would you recommend that I turn more lightly/smoothly or should I just practice even less?

 

[Graedog]

Do you think gaming wrist exercises would help? I have been using them for a few days and they seem to be helping.

 

[shadowslice e]

Yeah video game exercises would probably help. I would also probably try to put less force into your turning as newer cubes can be turned quickly with very little force.

 

[CornerCutter]

Also make sure you're sitting correctly. That can strain your wrists too.

 

[Graedog]

What exactly do you mean by sitting correctly? loose shoulders? straight back and neck? firm sitting position? right relative table/desk height?

 

[CornerCutter]

What exactly do you mean by sitting correctly? loose shoulders? straight back and neck? firm sitting position? right relative table/desk height?

Look up how to sit correctly at a computer desk. It is mostly how high your hands are.

 

[Graedog]

Look up how to sit correctly at a computer desk. It is mostly how high your hands are.

Okay, thanks, that was helpful.

 

[VenomCubing]

I used to have this same problem, but then I started to massage my hands, fingers, and joints before and after solving, and that helps a lot. Also, try lubing your cube with a faster or lighter setup. One more tip, if you have weights (for exercising) at your house, or if you have access to a gym, start working out your forearms. This increases the muscle strength and endurance in your wrists and fingers, which should be quite helpful. I hope this helps!

 

[Graedog]

I used to have this same problem, but then I started to massage my hands, fingers, and joints before and after solving, and that helps a lot. Also, try lubing your cube with a faster or lighter setup. One more tip, if you have weights (for exercising) at your house, or if you have access to a gym, start working out your forearms. This increases the muscle strength and endurance in your wrists and fingers, which should be quite helpful. I hope this helps!

Super helpful! Thanks, I'm definitely going to try these tips out.

 

[NewbieCuber]

I've hand hand surgeries from non cubing injuries. I can usually go for a few hours without any problems. But your probably doing it too long plus the way you are probably executing is bad as well

I also have some major hand and arm injuries including an amputated finger, a metal plate in my elbow, an internal prosthetic radial head replacement, as well as a healed, but formerly broken, right wrist. So both hands have problems.

Pain is the last sign that there's a problem. By the time you feel pain something has already been irritated or inflamed. It just hasn't push the un-comfort level past your pain threshold. I would absolutely suggest giving it a rest and doing some wrist stretches. Look up stretches to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome. Those would probably help.

 

[cubing master]

If your wrist hurts from cubing then you should probably ease back a little. how much time do you spend cubing a day?

 

[cubing master]

Would you have a recommended amount of practice time a day for 3x3? I practice somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 hours a day with frequent breaks (I'm testing to see if these breaks will help). But would you recommend that I turn more lightly/smoothly or should I just practice even less?

It depends on what you are practicing. Definitely do not just do timed solves over and over again because that will just make your wrists hurt and will not make you any faster. Try to practice something else like look ahead or cross-f2l transition.

 

[greentgoatgal]

Seriously just take a break.