Overuse Syndrome Exercises

The following exercises can reduce the amount of stress joints receive during an interpreting assignment. They take only about two or three minutes to complete.

·     Shoulder shrugs: Raise and drop shoulders.

·     Forearm flip: Gently flip or rotate forearms.

·     Rotating fists: Rotate wrists one way and then the other 10 to 20 times each.

·     Finger spreads: Shut and open hands, stretching the fingers as much as possible.

·     Finger stretch: Place fingertips on a table or other flat surface and push down.

·     Head stretch: Stretch head up several times.

·     Head turns: Rotate head one way and then the other way about 5 to 10 times; then move head down toward the chest and then backwards 5 to 10 times.

·     Shoulder stretch: Stretch arms above head and to the sides.

·     Hand flop: Hold one hand up loosely while the other hand pushes it down.

·     Prayer position: Lock fingers in a prayer position; then each hand al­ternately pushes the other hand back.