Wrist Issues With Strength Training

I enjoy working out with the bands and light weights but I have wrist issues. I believe it was called flexitis by the Dr. and if I grip anything while exercising or do floor exercises with weight on my wrists, they become very painful and inflamed on the inside of the wrist. The Dr. had me flex my fingers and the area around my wrist joint to the palm of my hand and inside forearm is what becomes irritated.

I have tried wrapping them and using various wrist braces for exercising to no avail. Is there some type of exercise I can do that will give me the upper strength training I need (I am over 60 but do lots of aerobics). However I don't want to inflame my wrists.

Aaron's Reply...

Lets see if we can take some of the strain off your wrists.

First, someone recently submitted their story about how they use TRX suspension training, since it's easier on their wrists and hands. See if it sounds like TRX is something you can use in your own training.

Also, try researching trigger points. From my own experience, trigger points (a.k.a. muscle knots) can have similar symptoms to inflammation that doctors cannot easily diagnose. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies is a great book, and will help you clear out the muscle knots that might be giving you some of that pain.

Weightlifting wrist straps (also called lifting straps) can take the strain off your hands too. You'll be lifting with your forearms and you won't have to grip the weight you're lifting. This seems like it would help keep your wrists healthy, and allows you to do upper body lifting.

I hope these ideas help.