Sore Wrists from flapping

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Hi guys

long time reader - first time poster

I've recently began flapping my hands in a more floppily motion when excited (used to be a rigid wrist movement) and now I am getting really sore wrists - any suggestions on ways to distract or stop my self flapping or deal with the pain.

Cheers

I would think it's pretty hard to figure out how to curtail an involuntary movement like that. I wonder if a neurologist might be the right person to consult regarding this?
Perhaps the soreness is only temporary and your tendons, or whatever is hurting, will adjust. It's nice when pain problems manage to fix themselves.
The only thing I can think of would be maybe wearing some sort of wrist brace?
Best of luck to you.

Thanks for replying briankelley.

It's not entirely involuntary--but yes, difficult. Not impossible.

What you've got is essentially soreness from repetitive movement, the same sort of thing that people get when they make the same movement on the job day after day. To get it to go away, the best thing is not to stress those exact same areas, either to move less or move in different ways.

Braces may help--not too tight, just enough so that your wrists aren't constantly moving. Just a little bit of support, and perhaps a reminder not to flap so hard. Or change the movement just a little, so that you're not putting stress on your joints in the same way. Try holding up your hands and bouncing instead of flapping them vigorously for example, or moving your hands in different ways.

You need not wear wrist braces constantly; many people with repetitive movement injuries find that wearing them just at night helps. That way your wrists are held steady at night to heal.

If you are still sore after a couple of weeks, you should probably ask a doctor. Most likely s/he will just prescribe a brace and not so much handflapping, possibly plus a wrist rest for when you use your mouse and keyboard... But still, if it's not healing, it's safest to ask.

Yes, I agree with Callista, and just have one thing to add. Sitting at my desk just now I tried a couple hand and arm motions that restrict the amount of wrist flexion possible. I very rarely stim in this way but I'm familiar with the motion. Easiest to remember and put in practice, taking into account that this is partially a subconscious reflex motion, seems to be this:

When you start flapping, immediately make a fist with each hand. You can continue the arm movement unimpeded as normal. This reduces the range of motion your wrists can flex. And should, therefore, reduce repetitive strain.