Muscle spasm in hand: Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercise

Muscle spasm in hand occurs due to many reasons which is significant for discomfort in some people.
Muscle spasms are described as uncontrollable & involuntary muscle contractions.

Due to these muscle spasms or contractions not allowing the muscle to become relaxed & also become too excruciating in some cases.
Hand spasm is extremely uncomfortable for any people & it is either sporadic & chronic.
When the hand spasm occurs it is difficult to make a fist & bringing your fingers together.
This muscle spasm is produce intense pain &this pain stays last for minutes, hours & days then relax the muscle spasm.
This muscle spasm is released by to RICE principle, pain medication, massage & physiotherapy treatment.

What are the causes of hand spasms?

If you are suffering from low magnesium in the body.
Magnesium helps to maintain strong bones & relax muscles & also prevent muscle spasms.
You feel the fatigued muscle.

Dehydration:
When you don’t drink enough water, you may feel too dehydrated.
This dehydration occurs when the body is suffer from a lack of enough water to properly function.
Dehydration affects the functioning of the muscles & causes muscle spasms.

Poor circulation:
This condition happens when your body lacks sufficient blood flow.
Circulation sends blood, oxygen & nutrients through your body.

Carpal tunnel syndrome:
This condition occurs when the nerve goes from the forearm to the palm & compressed.
This nerve is inside the carpal tunnel, which comprises the flexor retinaculum, tendons & the bone just below the hand.
Due to this compression occurs to thickening & swelling of tendons which become too irritated.

Muscle strain:
Repetitive strain injuries are also given as to result of hand spasms like writer’s & musician’s spasms & sports-related injuries.

Stiff hand syndrome:
This condition is also known as diabetic stiff hand syndrome& diabetic neuroarthropathy.
It is a complication of diabetes that occurs with thickening & waxiness of the hands to start to limit the movements of the fingers.
People who suffer from both type 1 & type 2 diabetes which is experienced hand spasms from stiff hand syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis:
This condition is produced to hand spasms
This autoimmune disease attacks the joints which produces inflammation & makes the joint tissue thicken.
During this time, the joints lose their mobility.

When the muscle is become fatigued due to overuse.
Lack of electrolytes in the body.
If occur to involuntary nerve discharges.
Restriction of the blood supply.
Exercise in high temperatures

What are the symptoms of the hand muscle spasm?

The first symptom is muscle spasm is produced pain in the area.
Due to this spasm, you feel severely uncomfortable & pain which is become sometimes unbearable
You palpate tightness in the muscle with swelling.
Also feeling of trigger & tender points in the muscle spasm area during palpation.
You are also feeling difficulty in the movement of your hand due to weakness.
You feel numbness & tingling in the hand.
You have observed changes in the skin of your hand like redness which is produced due to inflammation.
You also feel to wrap around the spasm area.

What is the Diagnosis of the hand muscle spasm?

It becomes too challenging for any health care provider to cause of hand spasms.

First, the doctor takes a full medical history.
Sometimes physical examination & imaging scans of the lower back & spine is necessary.
If the patient presents with other symptoms then the doctor is advised to explore whether & check whether the symptoms are related to the muscle spasms or not.
Your doctor is also advised to X-ray for signs of arthritis & bone fracture.
Also, advise an MRI or CT scan to gain a better look at the muscles & other soft tissues.
These scans help to identify possible problems with the discs & with blood supply to the affected area.

In which condition do you need to contact a doctor as an emergency?

Some causes of hand spasms are more serious than others causes so that need to contact your doctor when :
If your hand spasm is the result of an injury & fall
If due to this spasm develops into numbness in the upper limbs.
When you feel trouble & difficulty in moving your hand.
If your hand spasm symptoms become too difficult for sleeping & take part in normal activities.

What is the treatment for hand muscle spasms?

RICE principle:

When you feel pain in the hand muscle doctor is advised to RICE principle as home treatment or primary treatment.

R – rest = When you feel muscle spasms doctor is advice to you rest for sometimes form activities for release to muscle pain.
I- ice = You applied ice on the area of the pain for 20 minutes, release to swellings & muscle pain but always applied to the ice with the help of a towel between the skin & ice to prevent ice burn, you can also be used to ice pack & frozen peas for ice therapy.
C- compression = You can also apply compression bandage release to muscle pain, and swelling.
E- elevation = You must be elevated to the hand with the help of a pillow under the wrist for release of muscle pain & swellings.

Pain medication:

The doctor is advised to some medications including:
A muscle relaxant = Carisoprodol
Orphenadrine drug = is used to release muscle spasms, and relieve pain & stiffness in muscles.

Over-the-counter drug means nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs = NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) & naproxen (Aleve)which help to reduce inflammation & relieve the pain of hand spasms.

You can also apply pain-reliving gel & spray like volini gel & spray on the area of muscle pain release to muscle pain & swellings.

Treatment of the low magnesium:

When the hand spasm occurs due to a low magnesium level increase the magnesium level intake by eating more leafy greens, legumes & whole grains.
When you experience stomach upset, try magnesium chelate, which is easier to digest.

Treatment of dehydration:

When the hand spasm occurs due to dehydration drinks water as well as a rehydration drink with the electrolytes like Gatorade.
You are also making your rehydration drink with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 6 teaspoons of sugar & 1 liter of water.
When occur to severe dehydration which is a medical emergency & so you go to the emergency room.

Treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome:

When the hand spasm occurs due to carpal tunnel syndrome takes to frequent breaks to avoid the activities which are aggravating your symptoms & apply a cool pack.
Your doctor also suggests splinting, prescription medications, yoga, over-the-counter medications, physical therapy &surgery.

Treatment of the stiff hand syndrome:

When the hand spasm occurs due to stiff hand syndrome maintain your proper blood glucose levels & try exercises to
Strengthen the hand & must keep it flexible like tossing a ball.
Your doctor is prescribed physical therapy.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:

When the hand spasm occurs due to rheumatoid arthritis takes to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) & corticosteroids dRUG.
sometimes the doctor advises surgery.

Hand & wrist braces

These braces are used to treat overuse injury & conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome condition.
These braces are provided to comfort & reduce pain.
These all braces are applied to pressure on the spam area & help to reduce the swelling & inflammation.

What is Physiotherapy treatment for hand muscle spasms?

When the muscle spasm is not relieved after the home treatment & pain medication then the doctor has advised physiotherapy treatment to release muscle spasms.

Physiotherapy treatment is help you relieve pain, swelling, muscle spasm & tightness of the muscle pain.
The physiotherapy treatment includes massage, electrotherapy treatment & exercise therapy.

Massage therapy:

Massage therapy helps you relax, which is help calm your tight muscles & ease the pain from your hand spasm.
You are applied gentle pressure on the stiff & tender points which is help you release tension from the constricted muscles, providing relief & restoring range of motion – ROM to your hand.
This massage therapy also increases blood flow to the hand, which is applied to speed up healing by starting the nutrients & oxygen to damaged muscles.
Massage is applied after 2 – 3 days of following the RICE principle when you feel to release of the pain.
Massage is applied with the help of the oil & applied for 5 -10 minutes.
Massage is applied 3 times per day at home.

Electrotherapy treatment :

After the RICE principle, pain medication & massage if the muscle pain is not relieved then used Electrotherapy treatment for released to muscle pain.

To relieve the swellings, spams & pain therapist is advised to you electrotherapy treatment.
In electrotherapy, the treatment therapist is used to many machines.

When the trigger & tender points are present therapists are advised & to apply US = ultrasound therapy for the release of muscle pain.
This treatment is applied with the help of gel & applies for 5 to 10 minutes on the area of pain.
This therapy helps you release pain & swelling.

Reduce to pain therapist is applied to SWD = short wave diathermy on the area of pain.
SWD = Short wave diathermy is hot therapy for release to spams on the area of pain.
This therapy is applied for 10 minutes to the area of pain.

Exercise therapy for hand muscle spasm :

After following the RICE principle for 2- 3 days at home & primary treatment & the help of pain medication, you feel released from the muscle spasm.
When you feel too comfortable & release from your muscle spasm then the physiotherapist is advised to you exercise therapy to reduce muscle weakness & tightness.
Because when occurring muscle spasm also leads to muscle weakness & tightness so the need to exercise therapy strengthens the muscle.
The exercise therapy for muscle pain includes Stretching & strengthening Exercises.

Stretching exercise helps to relieve muscle tightness as well as strengthening Exercise is help you relieve muscle weakness.

Stretching exercise:

After the follow of Electrotherapy for 2-3 days for release to muscle spasm by physiotherapist then the therapist is advised to stretch for release to muscle tightness.
This stretching is applied when your pain is released & when you feel comfortable.

Raised fist stretch
Prayer position
Hooked stretch
Finger stretch
Alternate finger stretch
Claw Stretch

Raised fist stretch:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
You start with your arm up beside your head & with your hand open.
Try to make a fist & must be keeping your thumb outside of it.
Then slide your fingers toward your wrist till you feel a stretch.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day.

Prayer position:

You are sitting with your palms together & your elbow joint on the table in a prayer position.
Try to lower the sides of the hands toward the table till you feel a stretch.
Must keep your palms together.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day

Hooked stretch:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
First, hook one elbow joint under the other & pull both arms towards the center of the torso.
You must feel a stretch in your shoulder joint.
Try to wrap one arm around the other so that the palms are touching.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day.

Finger stretch:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
This exercise starts with the pinky & ring fingers together.
Then separate the middle & index fingers from the ring finger.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day.

Alternate finger stretch:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Start this exercise with the middle & ring fingers together.
Try to separate the pinky & index fingers from them.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day.

Claw Stretch:

Perform this exercise in a sitting position.
First hold your hand out in front of you, with your palm facing you.
Try to slowly bend your fingertips down till touch the base of each finger joint.
During this stretching, your hand looks like a claw.
You are holding this stretching exercise position for 30 seconds.
This stretching exercise is repeated 3 times at 1 time & perform 3 times per day.

Strengthening Exercises:

After the follow of Electrotherapy & massage for 2 -3 days for release to muscle pain by physiotherapist then the therapist is advised to you strengthening exercise for release to muscle weakness.
This strengthening exercise is always advised when you feel to release pain & when you feel comfortable.

This all strengthening exercise helps to you muscle weakness & pain.

Wrist rotations
Fist-opener
Sponge-squeeze
Windshield wiper wrist movement
Thumb pull
Wrist-strengthener
Isometric Hooks exercise (Claw)
Rubber Band Abduction
Rubber Band ‘C’ with Fingers & Thumb
Thumb Pinch Strengthening
Putty Grip & Squeeze exercise
Pen spin

Wrist rotations:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Try to slowly, point the fingers down till you feel a stretch.
With the help of the other hand apply to gently pull the raised hand toward the body.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Fist-opener:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Try to make a fist & hold it in front of you.
Then stretch your fingers till your hand is flat & open, with the fingers together.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Sponge-squeeze:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Try to squeeze a sponge & stress ball by making a fist.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Windshield wiper wrist movement:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Start this exercise with your hand face down on a table.
Then gently, point the hand to one side as far as go without moving the wrist joint.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Thumb pull:

You are performing this exercise in a sitting position.
Try to grab your thumb with the other hand.
Then gently pull the thumb backward & away from the hand.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Wrist-strengthener:

First take to position on your hands & knees, with your fingers pointing toward the body.
Try to slowly lean forward.
Must be keeping your elbow joint straight.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Isometric Hooks exercise (Claw):

First, place your fingers in a hook fist.
Then clasp or hook the hand with the fingers together at your chest.
Your one hand will be facing palm up & the other will be facing palm down.
When your fingers are clasped together then use your arms to pull in an outward position & maintaining your hook fists.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Rubber Band Abduction:

First places the rubber band over all four fingers.
But do not place your thumb into a rubber band.
Then spread your fingers apart as far as you can.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Rubber Band ‘C’ with Fingers & Thumb:

First place the rubber band over all four fingers & your thumb.
Must be keeping your fingers together.
Try to open your thumb out to the side into a ‘C’ position but not in the thumbs up position.
Then make a ‘C’ with your fingers & thumb.
Hold this exercise position for 10 seconds.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

During exercise, your thumb & fingers look like you are opening your hand to hold a cup & can of pop.

Thumb Pinch Strengthening:

For this exercise, you are using the putty & roll the putty out into a ‘hot dog’ shape about 1-2 inches thick.
Then using your index finger & thumb, pinch along the putty.
Try to make little indents along the length of the putty.
Do this exercise 10-20 times.
Change up the type of pinch by placing your thumb on top & pinching toward your index finger.
Again perform this exercise 10-20 times.
Then try different pinches with your thumb for a total of 2-3 minutes.

Putty Grip & Squeeze exercise:

For this exercise use the putty versus a ball because during this exercise you are squeezing all the way through to your palm.
then place a ball that blocks your movement & only allows your movement to strengthen within a limited range of motion.
you are manipulating the putty in your hand which is work on dexterity & coordination of the fingers or thumb.
Hold the putty in your hand & squeeze the putty into your hand till your fingertips reach your palm, then release.
then manipulate the putty in your hand & prepare to squeeze again.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Pen Spin:

Perform this exercise in a sitting position.
You are taking the same pen & practicing pen spinning with your thumb & index finger.
This exercise helps isolate finger movements for fine motor skills.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

What is home remedies & first aid for hand muscle spasm?

You are applying heat or cold massaging muscles & stretching muscles which are recommended home remedies too which relieve symptoms of hand spasms.
Stopping any activity which is produced to hands spasm.
Always do the stretching muscles.
Do the rubbing & massaging of the muscles.
Taking to certain vitamins & supplements is helpful although it depends on the cause & a person’s medical history.
Always increasing fluid intake during the day.

Home exercise :

Do this exercise at home daily basic:

Coin Drop
Make an “O” exercise
Stacking Coins
Pinching Clothespins with Each Finger
Playing Board Games
Putting Together a Puzzle

Coin Drop:

First, place 8 coins neatly in a row in your hand.
Then you practice placing coins down one at a time.
then use your thumb & index finger while keeping the other coins in your hand with your other fingers.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Make an “O” exercise:

Start this exercise with your right hand pointing straight up.
Try to slowly curve your index finger inward till touches the index finger to the thumb & perform a shape of an “O.”
Hold this exercise position for 30 seconds.
Then follow this exercise with your middle, ring & pinky fingers.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Stacking Coins:

First, you grab a handful of loose change.
Then practice stacking coins on top of each other.
This exercise helps to improve your coordination & fine motor skills.
Do the 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Pinching Clothespins with Each Finger:

For this exercise take a clothespin & practice pinching it with different fingers.
Start this exercise with your thumb & index finger, then move onto your thumb and follow the middle finger, ring finger, then pinky.
Then use your thumb, index finger & middle finger and perform a functional ‘tripod grip’.
Do this 10 times in 1 session & perform 3 sessions per day.

Playing Board Games:

When you want to make things more fun & interesting play board games like checkers or chess.
It is helpful to you to require you to practice your fine motor skills as you move your pieces & activates your brain for scanning.
Then try to decisions making & sequence tasks.

Putting Together a Puzzle:

These puzzles double as a fun activity since puzzle also helps improve hand & finger coordination.

What are the complications of hand muscle spasms?

Complications occur rarely with hand spasms.
Hypovolemic shock (drop in blood volume and pressure)
Kidney failure
Electrolyte imbalance

How do prevent the hand muscle spasm?

You are doing the stretching adequately.
Must be avoiding dehydration during daily activities.
Medications & vitamins = you must take all vitamins & medications.
Always perform the muscle strengthening exercises.
You are undertaking low-impact exercises, like cycling, swimming & walking.
Always use the correct hand tools to avoid exerting excessive force.

Muscle spasm in hand:

What are the causes of hand spasms?

What are the symptoms of the hand muscle spasm?

What is the Diagnosis of the hand muscle spasm?

In which condition do you need to contact a doctor as an emergency?