The wrist is one of the most frustrating places Crossfit athletes can get injured. Almost all upper body movements involve the wrist, as do the majority of compound movements including the olympic lifts, gymnastics moves and other barbell work. The wrist a small junction where a lot of ligaments, tendons and nerves pass to the hand, so there are a lot of important structures in a small space.
A wrist injury often means that an athlete’s progress in the gym stalls, and many simple day to day tasks can become painful, and if not addressed it can lead to long term problems including arthritis.
Working with a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional is recommended, as they will offer a comprehensive diagnosis and will be able to advise you on the best course of recovery for your particular injury. There should be a period of rest for the affected area, some strengthening exercises and potentially some soft tissue or mobility work over the course of the recovery process.
In some cases rest, strengthening exercises and mobility work are not enough to fully restore a joint injury. GLC2000 has aided the recovery of a number of multi time regional competitors with long term wrist injuries:
Jordan Wallace
During the 2014 Crossfit Regionals I injured my wrist during a handstand walk which was the 2nd workout. It was painful throughout the rest of the two day competition, and the next day I could barely move it.Four months after regionals and there was hardly any improvement. This meant I’d not been able to back squat, front squat, clean or do any form of pressing due to the pressure on the wrist.
I regularly work with top physios and a movement specialist, and even they couldn’t get to the bottom of it.Read Full Story
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Alec Harwood
I have struggled with tight wrists and shoulders ever since I started crossfit and weightlifting.The worst part for me was the dorsiflexion of my wrists being in a push up or handstand push up was tricky and often painful.I saw a few different specialists that told me to rest or stay away from any stressful positions. It got to the point where to do push ups or handstand push ups I had to elevate the heel of my hand with plates, almost like a lifting shoe would for your foot.
Read Full Story
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