Taking Care of Your Hands: Steps and Habits That Make a Difference

Our hands play a vital role in everyday life. Whether it’s starting the day right with the perfect morning routine, completing tasks on the to-do list, or enjoying energizing hobbies or relaxing activities, we rely on our hands and their mobility constantly.

Here are four steps and habits you can start today to support your hand health:

The Tabletop Test is a simple way to determine if you may have Dupuytren’s contracture, a progressive hand condition caused by a buildup of collagen that forms a rope-like cord beneath the skin of the palm.¹ If you are unable to lay your hand flat against a tabletop, talk to a hand specialist and ask about Dupuytren’s contracture.

Watch how to take the Tabletop Test here.

Healthy hands start with clean habits. Regular handwashing removes germs and dirt in most situations, and it is one of the best ways of preventing those around you from getting sick.²

Handwashing can:

• • • Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, by 21%³
    • Lower the risk of diarrheal illness by 31%³

If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and rub until dry.³

Your hands do a lot. You can keep them protected when you:

• • • Use proper ergonomics at your desk, perhaps by choosing a chair that supports your spine.⁴
    • Strengthen your hands with exercises like stress ball squeezes, hand stretches, and wrist rotations.^5,6
    • Wear gloves to protect your hands from injuries like cuts, splinters, and burns.⁷

If you or someone you care about notices symptoms affecting hand health, such as difficulty placing hands flat, don’t wait. Visit handhealthtreatment.com to find a local hand specialist, and ask about nonsurgical treatment options.

Don’t accept limitations. Prioritize your hand health today, and get back to living a hands-on life.

References

1. Bayat A, McGrouther DA. Management of Dupuytren’s disease-clear advice for an elusive condition. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006;88(1):3-8.
2. About Handwashing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated February 16, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html 
3. About Hand Hygiene at Work. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated April 18, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/prevention/about-hand-hygiene-at-work.html#:~:text=A%20friendly%20reminder%E2%80%8E,water%20are%20not%20readily%20available 
4. Office Ergonomics: Your How-To Guide. Mayo Clinic. Updated May 25, 2023. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169 
5. The Health Benefits of Stress Balls. Brown Hill Surgery. Updated November 24, 2021. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.brownhillsurgery.co.uk/the-health-benefits-of-stress-balls/ 
6. Try These Wrist and Forearm Stretches at Work. Mayo Clinic. Published September 26, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/forearm-stretches/vid-20084698 
7. Spotlight on Safety: Hand Safety. Environmental Health and Safety. Updated March 2024. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.northwestern.edu/environmental-health-safety/training/newsletters/volume-8-issue-3-march-2024.html