Hands Hurt From Braiding? The 230 Detailed Answer

Hand cramps can occur for many reasons and cause significant discomfort in some people. Often, hand cramps are caused by muscle spasms, described as uncontrollable or involuntary muscle contractions. These spasms or contractions do not allow the muscle to relax and in some cases can become unbearable. Fast facts on hand cramps: Hand cramps can be caused by many conditions.

Overuse of the hands, fingers, or forearms can lead to cramps and pain.

In many cases, hand cramps can be treated with home remedies.

Although these spasms are usually short-lived, they can cause severe muscle pain.

What causes a muscle spasm or spasm? Share on Pinterest Muscle cramps can be caused by dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and overuse injuries Under normal circumstances, muscle contraction is the result of normal processes in the body, including communication between the brain, spinal cord and muscles. Certain chemicals and proteins are also involved in normal muscle contraction and are responsible for shortening and relaxing muscle fibers. The brain is responsible for signaling the muscle to contract through a process of electrical signals and chemical releases. During the process of muscle contraction, brain signals are sent through the spinal cord and directly to the muscle. Chemicals and proteins interact within the muscle causing muscle shortening and relaxation. When this process of muscle contraction is abnormally disrupted, muscle spasms and spasms can occur. Often this pain goes away on its own within minutes. Muscle twitches can also accompany muscle spasms or spasms and can occur during periods of rest or in the aftermath of a muscle contraction.

What Causes Hand Cramps? Causes can be: Electrolyte disturbances

dehydration

Sports at high temperatures

Overuse Injuries

diabetic stiff hand syndrome

Arthritis Electrolyte Imbalances Electrolytes are substances in the body that are responsible for maintaining normal bodily functions such as nerve and muscle activity, hydration, blood pH, blood pressure, and tissue repair. Muscles require a harmonious balance of electrolytes to function properly, and changing these levels can lead to muscle contractions and hand cramps. Vital electrolytes for muscle function include calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium. Alterations in these electrolytes can not only cause painful hand cramps from muscle spasms, but can also be life-threatening in certain situations. Electrolyte imbalances can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including but not limited to: Kidney disease

severe dehydration

persistent vomiting due to bulimia, pregnancy, or other causes

excessive heat

pH imbalances

congestive heart failure

cancer treatments

specific medications for blood pressure or water retention Treatment for electrolyte imbalances depends on several factors, including the cause and severity of the condition. Doctors will discuss a detailed treatment plan to address this condition. Overuse Injuries An overuse injury is often referred to as writer’s cramp and can be associated with specific or general movements of the affected muscles used for fine motor movements. Activities that can increase a person’s risk of developing writer’s cramp or an overuse injury include things like: writing or typing for long periods of time

play a musical instrument

Use excessive grip on things like pens, utensils, shovels, tools, or smartphones

excessive flexion of the wrist

Elbow elevation

Finger Extension Rheumatoid Arthritis Share on Pinterest Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to joint stiffness and joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis in which the body attacks its healthy cells, causing pain in the affected joints and other parts of the body. The wrists are often affected, which can lead to symptoms such as joint pain or pain

Stiffness, tenderness and swelling of the joints

weight loss

Fever, fatigue, weakness Treatment for RA may include medications called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biological response modifiers called biological agents. Additionally, low-impact, low-impact exercises, including swimming, walking, and cycling, may be beneficial for people with RA. Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing a condition called diabetic stiff hand syndrome. This condition restricts the movement of the fingers as the hands become waxy and thick. Sometimes people with diabetic stiff hand syndrome experience weakened wrists

limited hand function

Finger stiffness and inability to bring fingers together

thickened, tight, and waxy skin on the back of the hand Controlling blood sugar levels can prevent a person with diabetes from developing diabetic stiff hand syndrome. Treatment options may include physical therapy, stretching, and exercises that increase hand flexibility and strength, such as hand grips. B. throwing and catching a ball.

Prevention Prevention of hand cramps depends on the cause of the condition. For example, if dehydration is causing hand cramps after intense exercise in excessive heat, consider exercising in cooler temperatures and staying hydrated. Other ways to prevent hand cramps include: proper stretching

Avoid dehydration

Do muscle strengthening exercises

Low-impact exercises like cycling, swimming, or walking

Using the right hand tools to avoid excessive force Doctors will provide recommendations for hand cramp prevention based on the specific cause of the condition. Underlying conditions should be addressed and treated by a qualified professional.

During the busy holiday season, stylists need to keep their hands in tip-top shape to get the job done. Let Premier Beauty give you some tips and tricks for daily hand care.

With the bank holidays just around the corner, it’s hard to miss that the salon books are filling up fast. As clients take more appointments, stylists are spending later nights and longer hours behind the chair.

Stylists every now and then have to take a moment to stay on top of things during the busy season so they don’t fall apart during the holiday season. That means taking frequent water breaks and remembering to feed yourself (no, coffee doesn’t count as a meal). Every stylist also needs to take care of the everyday tools they use to work their magic: their hands.

The love of hairstyling is tough on hands. This becomes noticeable through dry, irritated skin and painful finger joints. To avoid this, stylists should stop using bad products. Your hands are the money makers – it’s important to buy products that will keep them in good shape. With different ways to keep them hydrated, flexible and comfortable, the Premier Beauty team have listed some of the most effective ways to protect hands so they feel nourished all season long.

Use non-latex gloves

First, make sure the salon is stocked with non-latex, disposable gloves that you can use when working with hair dye and various lighteners. Latex-free gloves are gentler on hands and less likely to irritate skin, keeping hands smooth throughout the workday.

A great option for non-latex gloves at Premier is Framar’s disposable crystal clear vinyl gloves. These high-quality styling gloves are powder-free and gentle on the skin when worn for long periods. They form a significant barrier to protect your hands from the irritating brighteners colorists work with every day.

If you’re looking for more options, another great latex-free glove that Premier loves is the Product Club Clear Vinyl Disposable Gloves – Powder Free. Made from the same high-quality vinyl material, these gloves glide smoothly through your client’s hair during the appointment.

Dry hands carefully

Because washing hands is such a common part of a hairdresser’s routine, try patting hands dry instead of rubbing them at the sink. Blotting ensures skin retains essential oils and moisture, resulting in fewer dry or irritated areas.

Humidify, humidify, humidify

After washing your hands, we recommend using a product that will keep your hands moisturized throughout the day to keep your hands performing at their best. LEAF & FLOWER offers a CBD Maximum Pain Releaf Lotion made with natural CBD from the hemp plant. This lotion contains no THC, so you can go about your business normally while enjoying the anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD. Lather up this moisturizer day and night to keep your joints flexible and your skin hydrated.

Stretch to stay strong

Doing a little yoga that focuses on your back, arms, and hands is a great way to unwind and get your body feeling good for the next workday. Stylists frequently have to stand and work with their hands, which means a lot of potential aches, pains, or irritations throughout the day.

To maintain flexibility and joint health, it’s a good idea to loosen up the muscles at the end of the day with some gentle yoga exercises. Some great ones we recommend are Happy Baby and Eagle Arms, which loosens and stretches the whole body. Before long, you’ll be floating through your shift with muscles soothed and refreshed after practicing these moves daily.

Keep your hands and the rest of your body in tip-top shape this busy time of year, especially with all that extra hand washing and time on your feet. Your hands are your job, so keeping them hydrated, healthy, and happy is important. For more great tools to help protect your skin, visit the Premier Beauty website’s Self-Care category page.

Although nobody knows exactly why osteoarthritis of the hand develops, certain risk factors can make it more likely. Some risk factors cannot be changed – like genetics – while others, like obesity and activities of daily living, can be modified or eliminated.

On this page you can read how certain risk factors influence the development of osteoarthritis of the hand.

hand trauma

A broken bone, dislocation (when a finger bone separates from the joint), or previous surgery can cause damage that eventually leads to osteoarthritis of the hand. Symptoms may not appear until many years after the trauma.

misalignment of a joint

When the bones in the fingers or wrists are misaligned, there can be excessive joint friction, leading to increased cartilage wear. A misaligned joint can exist for years before arthritis develops and becomes painful.

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Repetitive movements

People whose work involves repetitive hand movements are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Studies indicate, for example, that people who work as clothing manufacturers, hairdressers or bakers suffer from osteoarthritis of the hand more often than those who work.

See causes of osteoarthritis

Advanced age

Hand arthritis is most likely to cause symptoms that begin in a person’s 50s or 60s. Most adults over 55 have signs of hand osteoarthritis that can be seen on X-rays, although many don’t experience pain and stiffness.

female sex

Women suffer from osteoarthritis of the hand more often than men. In fact, the authors of one research study found that women aged 50 to 60 were 3.5 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the hand than men of the same age group. Women’s overall risk is highest after menopause, around the age of 60 to 65.

family history

Much like height and hair color, the likelihood of a person developing hand osteoarthritis is influenced by genetics. Researchers suspect that the A2BP1 and TBGF1 genes increase a person’s susceptibility to osteoarthritis of the hand, although genetic testing isn’t required or recommended for diagnosis.

obesity

Obesity is regularly considered a risk factor for arthrosis in weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees, but not in the hands. However, some researchers have found links between obesity and arthritis in the hands.,

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There is evidence that the link between excess fat and osteoarthritis of the hand is related to the biochemistry of the body. Obesity is associated with low-grade, systemic (body-wide) inflammation that may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis., ], (Obesity is defined as a BMI ≥ 30.) More research is needed in this area.

Risk factors cannot predict disease

Although these risk factors predispose certain individuals to hand osteoarthritis, some individuals without any of the above risk factors may develop the condition, and some individuals with all of the above characteristics may never develop osteoarthritis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to compression of the nerve that runs through the wrist and hand. Arthritis is a disease of the joints. Both conditions can cause symptoms that affect the hands and wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can cause tingling, numbness, pain and hand weakness. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the hands or wrist, and a limited range of motion. A 2016 review states that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, although different conditions, can increase the risk of CTS. This article looks at the similarities and differences between CTS, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, including symptoms, causes, and treatments.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Share on Pinterest Sara Gennat/EyeEm/Getty Images CTS is a condition that occurs due to compression of the median nerve. The median nerve is one of the main nerves leading to the hand, running from the forearm to the palm. The median nerve provides sensation in the thumb side of the hand, the index and middle fingers, and part of the ring finger. The median nerve runs through a narrow tunnel of bone and ligaments called the carpal tunnel. Swelling or irritation of the tendons can cause the carpal tunnel to narrow, pinching or compressing the median nerve. This can cause numbness or pain in the hand, wrist, or forearm.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel The symptoms of CTS can come on gradually and appear on the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. These symptoms can wake people up at night, but they can also occur during daytime activities. Symptoms of CTS may include: a tingling, burning, or numb feeling that may radiate down the arm

Pains

Hand weakness or clumsiness, which can make holding objects or performing certain tasks difficult or cause people to drop things more easily

cannot feel hot or cold temperatures by touch

occasional shock-like sensations in thumbs and fingers. Learn more about CTS.

What is osteoarthritis? Arthritis is a disorder or disease of the joints. It can cause swelling, pain, and stiffness around the joints and limit a person’s range of motion. Without treatment, arthritis can lead to chronic pain and permanent damage to the joints. There are different types of arthritis and each has different causes, such as infections or autoimmune reactions. All types of the disease involve the breakdown of cartilage. This is the coating on the end of the bones that allows them to slide over one another. Listed below are two of the most common types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) OA is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when cartilage wears away, causing bones to rub against each other. Symptoms of OA include: Joint pain, which may subside with rest

Joint stiffness that usually lasts less than 30 minutes

limited range of motion in the joints

Swelling in and around the affected joints, which may get worse with prolonged use of the joints

Joint feels unstable or loose. Learn more about osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) RA is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, destroying cartilage and bone. RA most commonly affects people between the ages of 30 and 50, with approximately 75% of those affected being women. Symptoms of RA include: Joint pain

Stiffness, usually worst in the morning

limited range of motion in the joints

usually affects the small joints of the hands or feet

reduced energy

light fever

loss of appetite

Rheumatoid nodules, tight lumps that grow under the skin on parts of the body such as the hands and elbows. RA can also cause symptoms in other organs, such as the skin, eyes, or lungs. Learn more about RA.

How do arthritis and CTS compare? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Osteoarthritis (OA) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Hand and Wrist CTS causes numbness or tingling in the fingers and thumb and hand weakness.

OA commonly affects the hands, including the ends of the fingers and thumb, and the base of the thumb.

RA most commonly affects small joints in the hands and can cause pain and swelling in the wrists. Causes Causes include wrist injuries, repetitive hand or wrist movements, pregnancy, thyroid problems, diabetes, RA, and genetics. Degradation of cartilage and joint tissue. Age, injury or overuse, obesity, and family history of OA are risk factors. RA is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system causes inflammation in the joints. The exact cause of this is unknown, but it may be genetic. Smoking is also a risk factor for RA. When worse, CTS can be worse at night, but as symptoms progress it can interfere with daytime activities. The pain can be worse at night. Joint stiffness can be worse in the morning or after rest, but usually only lasts about 30 minutes. The swelling may be worse after intense physical activity in the affected joints. Joint stiffness is worse in the morning and may last 1-2 hours or a whole day. Diagnosis The doctor performs a physical examination of the hand and wrist. They may order electrophysiology tests to check nerve function. You can also use ultrasound and x-rays. Doctors assess the symptoms and do a physical exam. X-rays and MRI scans can show changes in the bones or joints. Blood tests and fluid samples from the joints can help rule out other disorders. Doctors use blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays, MRI scans, and physical exams to diagnose RA. Medications A person may take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or receive corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel. Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications, including topical ointments and corticosteroids. Hyaluronic acid injections can help knee osteoarthritis. Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for long-term pain management. Doctors prescribe disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids. Home remedies A person can wear a splint to relieve pressure on the wrist. You can also modify activities that put pressure on the wrist and do nerve glide exercises. Options for treating OA include regular, low-impact physical activity such as swimming or walking, weight control, and orthopedic devices to support the joints. A person can remain physically active but rest when symptoms flare up and maintain stretching exercises to improve flexibility and range of motion.

People need to contact a doctor if they have any symptoms of CTS or arthritis. These may include: numbness or tingling in your fingers or thumbs

joint pain or stiffness

Hand Weakness A doctor can assess any symptoms and perform a physical exam or diagnostic tests to find the underlying cause.

CTS Outlook recovery can take time and it can take up to a year for users to fully recover. In many cases, wrist surgery is an effective treatment for improving carpal tunnel symptoms. Consultation with a hand therapist can also help improve recovery. Post-surgery results are better the sooner a person has surgery. Surgery for CTS is minimally invasive and has a quick recovery time. Having an additional condition affecting the hand or wrist, such as arthritis or tendinitis, can slow down recovery time. Treatment is important to prevent loss of sensation or muscle wasting in the thumb. If carpal tunnel persists with severe symptoms long-term, full recovery may not be possible.

Overview The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist that holds tendons and your median nerve. This space is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome. A symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness that spreads all over the hand (see blue shaded area). What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist. It occurs when there is increased pressure on a nerve called the median nerve in the wrist. This nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. The little finger (the “pinky”) is typically unaffected. Carpal tunnel syndrome was first described in the mid-19th century. The first surgery to unblock the carpal tunnel was performed in the 1930s. It’s a condition recognized by orthopedic surgeons for over 40 years. What is the carpal tunnel? The carpal tunnel is a narrow canal or tube in the wrist. Much like a tunnel you might drive a car through, this part of the wrist allows the median nerve and tendons to connect the hand and forearm. Parts of this tunnel include: Carpal Bones: These bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel. They are formed in a semicircle.

Ligament: The top of the tunnel, the ligament, is a strong tissue that holds the tunnel together. Inside the tunnel are the median nerve and tendons. Median nerve: This nerve provides feeling to most of the fingers in the hand (except for the little finger). It also reinforces the base of the thumb and forefinger.

Tendons: Rope-like structures, tendons connect the muscles in the forearm to the bones in the hand. They allow the fingers and thumb to bend. Does carpal tunnel syndrome only occur in office workers or factory workers? no Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome have never worked in an office or worked on an assembly line. It affects people who use their wrists and hands repeatedly at work and play. Anyone can get carpal tunnel syndrome, but it’s uncommon before age 20. The likelihood of getting carpal tunnel syndrome increases with age. Who is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome? People at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome are those who engage in activities or jobs that involve repetitive finger use. Movements that can put people at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome include: High force (hammering).

Long term use.

Extreme wrist movements.

Vibration. Many other factors can also contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. These factors may include: Heredity (minor carpal tunnels can run in families).

Pregnancy.

Hemodialysis (a procedure where the blood is filtered).

Fracture and dislocation of the wrist.

Hand or wrist deformity.

Arthritis diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Imbalance of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism).

Diabetes.

Alcoholism.

A mass (tumor) in the carpal tunnel.

Older age.

Amyloid deposits (an abnormal protein). Carpal tunnel syndrome is also more common in women than in men.

Symptoms and Causes What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused when the space (the carpal tunnel) in the wrist narrows. This puts pressure on the median nerve and tendons (inside the carpal tunnel) and causes them to swell, cutting off feeling in the fingers and hand. How Often Is Hand Pain Caused By Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? While carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition, it has different symptoms than many other sources of hand pain. There are actually several similar conditions that cause hand pain. These include: De Quervain’s tendinosis: A condition in which swelling (inflammation) affects the wrist and base of the thumb. In this state, you will feel pain if you make a fist and simulate shaking someone’s hand.

: A condition in which swelling (inflammation) affects the wrist and base of the thumb. In this state, you will feel pain if you make a fist and simulate shaking someone’s hand. Trigger finger: This condition causes pain at the base of the finger or thumb. The trigger finger also causes pain, locking (or catching), and stiffness when flexing the fingers and thumb.

: This condition causes pain at the base of the finger or thumb. The trigger finger also causes pain, locking (or catching), and stiffness when flexing the fingers and thumb. Arthritis: This is a general term for many conditions that cause stiffness and swelling in your joints. Arthritis can affect many joints in your body, ranging from minor discomfort to the joint breaking down over time (osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative arthritis). What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Symptoms usually start slowly and can appear at any time. Early symptoms are: Numbness at night.

Tingling and/or pain in the fingers (especially the thumb, index and middle fingers). Because some people sleep with crooked wrists, nocturnal symptoms are common and can wake people from sleep. These nighttime symptoms are often the first reported symptoms. Shaking hands helps relieve symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Common daytime symptoms can be: Tingling in the fingers.

Decreased feeling in the fingertips.

Difficulty using the hand for small tasks such as: handling small objects. Grab a steering wheel to drive. Hold a book to read. Write. Using a computer keyboard.

As carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, the symptoms become more constant. These symptoms may include: Weakness in the hand.

Inability to perform tasks that require fine movements (eg, buttoning a shirt).

drop objects. In the worst case, the muscles at the base of the thumb shrink visibly (atrophy).

Diagnosis and Tests How is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed? First, your doctor will discuss your symptoms and medical history, and examine you. Next, tests are done, which may include: Tinel’s sign: In this test, the doctor taps over the median nerve at the wrist to see if it produces tingling in the fingers.

: In this test, the doctor taps over the median nerve at the wrist to see if it produces tingling in the fingers. Wrist flexion test (or Phalen test): In this test, the patient supports their elbows on a table and allows the wrist to fall freely forward. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome will experience numbness and tingling in their fingers within 60 seconds. The quicker symptoms appear, the more severe carpal tunnel syndrome is.

: In this test, the patient supports their elbows on a table and allows their wrist to freely fall forward. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome will experience numbness and tingling in their fingers within 60 seconds. The quicker symptoms appear, the more severe carpal tunnel syndrome is. X-rays: Wrist X-rays may be ordered if the wrist has limited mobility or there are signs of arthritis or trauma.

: Wrist x-rays may be ordered if the wrist has limited mobility or there are signs of arthritis or trauma. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies: These studies determine how well the median nerve itself is functioning and how well it controls muscle movement.

Management and Treatment How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated? Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated in two ways: nonsurgically or surgically. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. Typically, non-surgical treatments are used for less severe cases and allow you to continue with your daily activities without interruption. Surgical treatments can help in more severe cases and have very positive results. Non-surgical treatments Non-surgical treatments are usually tried first. Treatment begins with: wearing a wrist splint at night.

Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

cortisone injections. Other treatments focus on ways to change your environment to reduce symptoms. This is often seen in the workplace where you can make changes to help with carpal tunnel. These changes may include: raising or lowering your chair.

Move your computer keyboard.

Change your hand/wrist position during activities.

Featuring recommended splints, exercises and heat treatments from a hand therapist. Surgical Treatments Surgery is recommended when carpal tunnel syndrome does not respond to nonsurgical treatments or has become severe. The goal of surgery is to enlarge the tunnel to relieve pressure on the nerves and tendons that run through the space. This is done by severing (releasing) the ligament covering the carpal tunnel at the base of the palm. This ligament is called the transverse carpal ligament. If you have surgery, you can expect the following: Outpatient procedure, during which you will be awake but given local anesthesia (painkillers). In some cases, your doctor may offer you infusional anesthesia (directly into a vein). This option allows you to take a short nap and wake up after the procedure is completed. This is not general anesthesia as used in surgery. Instead, your medical team will monitor you during the procedure (called supervised anesthetic care, or MAC). This is also used for procedures like a colonoscopy.

have brief discomfort 24 to 72 hours after the operation. Sufferers usually experience complete relief from nocturnal symptoms quickly—even the night after surgery.

Have your stitches removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. Use of the hand and wrist for everyday activities is gradually restored through the application of specific exercise programs.

You cannot do heavy activity with the affected hand for about four to six weeks. Recovery times may vary based on age, general health, severity of carpal tunnel syndrome, and duration of symptoms. You will continue to gain strength and feeling for the following year after surgery.

Relief of most symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Prevention How can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented? Carpal tunnel syndrome can be difficult to prevent. The condition can be caused by so many different activities in a person’s daily life that prevention can be challenging. Changes in the workplace—proper sitting, hand and wrist placement—can help reduce some of the factors that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Other preventative methods include: Sleeping with your wrists straight.

Keep your wrists straight when using tools.

Avoid repeated bending (curling) and straightening of your wrists.

Decrease in repetitive/strong grip with flexed wrist.

Take frequent rest breaks from repetitive activities.

Performing conditioning and stretching exercises before and after activities.

Monitoring and proper treatment of conditions related to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common term we hear from family and friends who complain of wrist numbness or pain. Although carpal tunnel syndrome is well known, there are other conditions that cause pain and numbness in the wrist.

In order to get a correct diagnosis, it is important to understand the symptoms of other common hand and wrist disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this article, we cover other issues that cause numbness, tingling, pain, or numbness in your fingers and wrists, as well as what you should do if you think you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is put on your median nerve by the carpal bones.

When your wrist swells, the carpal tunnel constricts the median nerve and causes symptoms.

These symptoms include radiating pain from the forearm to the shoulder, numbness, burning, or tingling starting in the thumb, pinky, or forearm.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

While research tells us that “women and the elderly are more likely to develop the condition,” there isn’t just one factor that causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your family’s medical history is often related to carpal tunnel syndrome. Anatomical differences play a role in the size of your carpal tunnel, which is directly related to your pain.

For some people, repetitive hand use or the position of your wrist/hand affects whether or not you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive strain or activity that involves extreme flexion or extension of the hand and wrist over a period of time puts pressure on your nerve, causing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Finally, you may be at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome if you are pregnant or have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a thyroid imbalance.

What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically begin slowly and often appear at night because sleeping positions impair wrists. If you have to shake your wrist to regain feeling, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. As the condition worsens, you’ll experience symptoms while driving, typing, or using the phone during the day.

Some of the most common symptoms are numbness, tingling, burning and pain. Also look out for “occasional shock-like sensations radiating to the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers.”

Pain or tingling that travels up your arm, or weakness in your hand that causes you to drop things are also two critical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Two things to note: Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms come on gradually. So, if these symptoms worsen over time, you must see a doctor immediately for proper treatment.

Second, these symptoms show up at night because of how we sleep, and the pain becomes so unbearable that it wakes you from your sleep.

If you experience any of these symptoms and it persists/gets worse over time, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

What else could it be?

The difficulty in self-identifying carpal tunnel syndrome is that there are other possible diagnoses with similar symptoms. Here are a few of the other diseases that are often confused with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that can easily be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in its early stages.

This condition causes hand pain and numbness, but what differentiates RA from carpal tunnel is how the pain moves through your hand.

Along with the hand pain and numbness, RA causes pain in the larger ankles and wrists. You will not feel pain along the nerve pathway if it is RA; Typically, you will feel the pain in your right and left hand at the same time.

Cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is less common but should be ruled out.

An existing condition within the cervical spine causes cervical radiculopathy. The cervical spine is made up of the seven vertebrae that make up the neck.

This is where the nerves of the arms, wrists and hands begin. When these vertebrae become irritated, neurological symptoms appear, including pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms and hands.

Conditions that cause cervical radiculopathy include herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.

These conditions can cause symptoms similar to carpal tunnel and are difficult to self-diagnose.

However, if you experience mild, sharp, or stabbing pain, there is a chance that the cause is cervical radiculopathy. Another way to rule out carpal tunnel is to locate the symptoms. If you only feel the pain in your hands and wrist, you are more likely to have carpal tunnel and not cervical radiculopathy.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatments

Depending on the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome, there are two options for treatment: nonsurgical and surgical.

Non-surgical treatments

One of the most popular non-surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome is wrist splinting. The purpose of the wrist brace is to keep your wrist steady while you sleep to avoid twisting or movement that could aggravate nerves.

If your doctor has confirmed your carpal tunnel diagnosis, you should consider doing hand exercises designed by CORE hand specialist Dr. Raymon Metz to relieve and prevent pain.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are a short-term solution to pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, research has shown that these drugs do not improve carpal tunnel syndrome in the long term and should remain only a pain-relieving option.

Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid shot to “decrease inflammation and swelling, which reduces pressure on the median nerve.”

These solutions work best with early diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

surgical treatments

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is an outpatient procedure performed to relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome by relieving pressure on the median nerve.

A small incision is made at the wrist, and an endoscope is inserted through the incision below the transverse carpal ligament and sends images to a television monitor in the operating room. The surgeon severs the constricting transverse carpal ligament, relieving pressure on the median nerve.

Because endoscopic carpal tunnel release is an outpatient procedure, you can expect less scarring and faster recovery time than traditional surgeries.

Not sure if you have carpal tunnel? Call CORE Orthopedics today.

If you think you have any of these conditions, the next step is to get confirmation from a doctor. CORE Orthopedics’ experienced physicians believe in treating the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome early, before they interfere with your everyday life.

*Disclaimer: Without treatment, symptoms will worsen and potentially lead to surgery. If you suspect you have one of these conditions, don’t wait. Talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

Beauty 5 Ways to Loosen Tight Braids for a Wound-Free Scalp By Chinelo Eze Most were in scenarios where we wanted to rip the newly made hair off our scalps. While it’s easy to assume that the tighter your braids, the longer they’ll last, such myths about hair should be thrown into the dustbin. This is because too tight braids can actually cause…

Most were in scenarios where we wanted to rip the newly made hair off our scalps. While it’s easy to assume that the tighter your braids, the longer they’ll last, such myths about hair should be thrown into the dustbin. This is because braids that are too tight can actually cause irreversible damage to your hair and ideas like the tighter the better tend to hurt your scalp.

The stress that causes the sore scalp can stress your scalp and strands, causing hair breakage and hair loss, ultimately leading to damage or loss of your edges (traction alopecia is real).

A low-maintenance, long-lasting hairstyle may sound good enough to take care of your hair problems for a while, but that is until it no longer protects your hair. After braiding, you’ll end up with a burning scalp, tender roots, and maybe even small white bumps that form especially on the nape of the neck and other stressed areas.

Is your scalp stressed out from plucking your hair to achieve long lasting hair? And you have no idea how to solve these problems, it is important that you learn how to find relief. Here are simple stay-at-home tricks to help you manage and loosen up tight braids to save your lovely tresses.

5 WAYS TO RELEASE STRONG BRAIDS

Now that you know how tight braids can be detrimental to hair health, consider these five handling tips below to help you master the art of properly caring for over-tight braids.

TIP #1. WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN

One mistake that many jump on after making new braids is the need to tangle your hair. In the meantime, one of the easiest first steps you can take to alienate the feel of tight braids is to actually wear your hair. Wearing freshly braided pigtails in a bun or updo will greatly increase the tension on your scalp and the level of soreness. To play it safe, leave your braids down until the roots loosen up a bit.

TIP #2. REACH AFTER MOISTURIZING

Another way to loosen up unnoticed, tight braids is to use braid moisturizers or tension spray. This protective style essential keeps your woven masterpiece clean and moisturized while soothing a dry scalp. Many come with nozzles shaped to deliver product right to the roots; Underneath tight box braids, tight cornrows and even wigs. Use a light layer to avoid product buildup. If you don’t have braid spray handy, a leave-in conditioner will do the trick as it deeply conditions curls and waves. It also moisturizes without weighing the hair down. Using your fingertips, massage a one-inch amount of leave-in conditioner through your hair to loosen your braids.

TIP #3: SCALP MASSAGE

Pampering sessions aren’t just for the juice, they can actually help loosen up your braids and soothe a sore scalp. To get a scalp massage, you need a scalp hair serum. Apply a few drops to your hands and gently rub the oil into your scalp with your fingertips to create loose braids.

TIP #4. WET YOUR HAIR WITH WARM WATER

This is a tip hairstylists usually do before you go, as tight braids can feel very heavy on your head; Adding warm water to the mixture works magic. Use a damp washcloth with lukewarm water and lightly massage it by touching your scalp, or place a warm, damp towel over your head and massage your scalp. Once that’s done, towel dry your hair and your braids will feel looser.

TIP #5. REMOVE YOUR BRAIDES

It may not seem cost-effective, but the quickest and safest thing you can do to save your scalp the worry is to remove your braids. You’ll think about the money, but it’s up to you to decide, are money and time more important than convenience?

Quick actions before and after tying your braids can prevent you from dealing with tight braids. Any time you decide to have your hair braided, always be open with your stylist. If the braids are too tight, speak to any sane stylist right now who will put your needs first for a flawless and painless braiding experience. And if you’re always in the loop of too-tight braids, consider switching to a new pro. There are many stylists who can give you the beautiful, pain-free braids you want without the fuss and discomfort.

Have you ever heard the old wives tale that braiding your hair helps it grow? Braided hairstyles certainly have some advantages. They are namely a protection for sensitive hair and prevent tangles. But do braids really help your hair grow? Read on to find out!

Mythbusting: Braids & Hair Growth

We’re all looking for a quick fix for longer, healthier hair. But, unfortunately, braiding hair does not accelerate the rate of growth. Your hair grows at a genetically determined rate, while lifestyle factors such as your diet and stress levels can lead to thinning hair and breakage. But the way you wear your hair is not a factor in your hair growth rate.

However, loose braids can help prevent hair breakage. Braids give the hair a strong structure. Just as fibers are stronger when woven into a rope, hair is stronger when woven into a braid.

Braiding also reduces your strands’ contact with fabrics, skin, and other factors that cause hair breakage from friction. For example, sleeping with your hair braided means your hair is less likely to break when you toss it around during the night.

It also keeps braided hair tangle-free, which reduces breakage from brushing. So if you are struggling with hair loss due to overstyling and hair breakage, wearing your hair in braids can actually help you grow your hair out.

However, wearing your hair in braids that are too tight can actually cause hair breakage. And over time, tight braids that pull at the scalp can lead to a form of hair loss called traction alopecia. Fortunately, this form of hair loss can usually be reversed if you take a break from tight hairstyles, and in the meantime you can camouflage thinning areas and cover breakages instantly with Toppik Hair Building Fibers.

Our most popular braided hairstyles

If you want to keep hair tangle free and reduce friction breakage, try one of these braided hairstyles!

Braided Pigtails

Simple braided braids are the easiest way to dip your toes into the world of braiding. This braided hairstyle uses the classic three strand braid.

Start by brushing dry hair to remove any tangles. Apply a small amount of Toppik Hair Fattener Advanced Thickening Serum to hair and brush to distribute evenly. This concentrated styling serum gives hair volume, fullness and shine.

Create a center part and separate the hair into two sections. Start with one section and create three equal strands. Cross the left strand over the middle, then cross the right strand over the middle.

Repeat until all hair is braided, then secure with a hair tie. Braid the other side and your look is complete!

milkmaid braids

This braided hairstyle is perfect for a more formal occasion. Begin by styling the hair into braided pigtails. Then wrap each braid around the crown of your head and pin to hold it in place. Tuck the ends under the braid for a more polished look.

French braids

Once you’ve mastered the classic three-strand braid, you can move on to a French braid. Start by detangling hair and brush through a small amount of Toppik Hair Fattener Advanced Thickening Serum. Use a comb to section off a small section of hair at the crown of your head, one to two inches from your forehead. Divide the section into three equal strands. Cross the left strand over the middle, then cross the right strand over the middle.

This is where it gets difficult. Using your pinky, grab a small section of hair from the left side of your head and add it to the left strand. Then cross the left strand over the middle strand. Repeat on the right side. Keep switching sides, adding small pieces as you go. Once you reach the nape of your neck, braid your hair into a classic three-strand braid. Then secure with a hair tie.

To cover sparse, thin areas and add instant volume to hair, use Toppik Hair Building Fibers with the Spray Applicator, paying special attention to the roots. Then add a spritz of Toppik FiberHold Spray to set everything in place and strengthen the fiber-to-hair bond.

While this braiding style can be difficult to get the hang of at first, remember that practice really does make perfect! Once you get the hang of French braiding, you can move on to more advanced techniques like Dutch braids and box braids.

What is your favorite braided hairstyle? Let us know in the comments section below!

09/22/2021

Q. I have severe muscle spasms that curl my fingers into a claw shape that I can only straighten with my other hand. How can I prevent this?

A. The symptoms you describe sound like carpal spasm. Spasms or cramps are involuntary contractions in the hands or feet. The most common causes of cramps are overused muscles and dehydration. Prolonged writing or typing can lead to hand cramps due to overuse of muscles. Other reasons for cramps are low calcium and magnesium levels. Numerous things can affect your calcium levels, but the common culprit is vitamin D deficiency.

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Type of hair braiding

Woman with cornrows

Cornrows are a traditional style of braids in which the hair is braided very close to the scalp, using a bottom, upward hand motion to create a continuous, raised row. Cornrows are often done in simple, straight lines, as the term suggests, but they can also be styled in intricate geometric or curvilinear designs.

Depending on the region of the world, cornrows are worn by both sexes and in a few cases are adorned with beads, hair cuffs or cowrie shells. Cornrow braids can take up to about 5 hours to braid, depending on the amount and width.[1] Often preferred for their ease of maintenance, cornrows can stay in for weeks if cared for by thorough hair washing and natural scalp oils. Braids are considered a protective styling for African curly hair as they allow for easy and restful growth. Braids that are pulled too tight or worn for long periods of time and on different hair types can cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia.[2]

history [edit]

Cornrows on a statue of the Little Woman of Herculaneum, ca. 2nd century

The oldest known depictions of hairstyles that appear to be cornrows or braids are the statues known as the Venus of Brassempouy[3][4] and Venus of Willendorf[5][6][7] and date to 25,000–30,000 Years can be dated before and have been found in what is now France and Austria.

Depictions of women with cornrows have been found in Stone Age paintings on the Tassili Plateau of the Sahara and date back to 3000 BC. dated. The cornrow style can also be seen in depictions of ancient Kushi people in the Horn of Africa who practiced this braid style as early as 2000 BC. Carrying.[8] The traditional hairstyle of the Roman Vestal Virgins included cornrows.

The tradition of female hairstyling in cornrows has remained popular across Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa and West Africa and the rest of Africa overall. Historically, men’s hair styling with cornrows can be traced back to the early 5th century BC. in ancient Greek sculpture and artwork typically shown on warriors and heroes. Artworks and statues of various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean civilizations from the 3rd and 4th centuries BC. also indicate that such hairstyles were common in warrior cultures. More modern male depictions occur in 19th-century Ethiopia, where warriors and kings such as Tewodros II and Yohannes IV were depicted with cornrows.

The name also refers to either the corn fields or the sugar cane fields in the Caribbean.[12] It is widely believed that this idea came from Benko’s Biohó during his time as a slave in Colombia.

Cornrow hairstyles in Africa also cover a wide social terrain: religion, kinship, status, age, racial diversity, and other traits of identity can all be expressed in the hairstyle. Equally important is the act of weaving, which transmits cultural values ​​between generations, expresses a bond between friends, and establishes the role of the professional practitioner.[13]

Cornrows made a comeback in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and returned again in the 1990s and 2000s. In the 2000s, a few athletes wore cornrows, including NBA basketball players Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, and Latrell Sprewell.[14] Many female mixed martial artists who have hair longer than jaw-length choose to wear cornrows to their fights as they prevent their hair from obscuring their vision as they move.

controversy[edit]

Nuba woman with cornrows in a traditional style

Along with dreadlocks, cornrows have been the subject of several disputes in US workplaces as well as universities over the decades. Some employers and educational institutions[15] considered them unsuitable and banned them.[14] Employees and civil rights groups have countered that such attitudes demonstrate cultural bias and some disputes have led to litigation.[16]

In 2011, the UK High Court ruled against a school’s decision to refuse entry to a pupil with cornrows in what has been described as a test case. The school claimed this was part of its policy, which mandated “short back and side haircuts” and banned styles that could be worn as an indication of gang membership. However, the court ruled that the student was expressing a tradition and that such a policy, while perhaps justified in certain cases (e.g. skinhead gangs), had to take into account reasonable racial differences and cultural practices.[17]

In the US state of California, the CROWN Act was passed in 2019 to outlaw discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture.[18]

Gallery [ edit ]

See also[edit]

References[ edit ]

The ever-evolving world of beauty brings forth new trends every day. It is impossible to keep up with all of the hairstyle trends that have come and gone over time. But one thing is for sure – braids have been a staple in hair history for ages. No, but really: The history of braids goes back to 3500 BC. back. In other words, they go way, way back. It’s safe to say that the style has preserved a historical legacy that is here to stay. From classic cornrows and simple three-strand braids to dutch braids and more, this symbolic style has been a sign of social status, ethnicity, religion, and more.

With the Instagram era, YouTube tutorials, catwalks and popular music festivals, braids have evolved. We tapped into three top hairstylists to walk us through the backstory of braids.

Meet the Expert Larry Sims is a famous hairstylist and brand ambassador for international hair care company Schwarzkopf, whose clients include Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross and Lupita Nyong’o.

Alysa Pace is the Cut, Color and Extensions Specialist at Bomane Salon.

Nunzio Saviano is a professional hairdresser and owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon.

Read on for a fun history lesson on the origin of braids.

The Origin of the Braids

Getty Images

Sims traces the origins of braids to African culture. “Braids have been impressive throughout history,” says Sims. “The origin of braids can be traced back to 5000 years to 3500 BC in African culture. – they were very popular with women.”

Braids aren’t just a style; This craft is an art form.

“Weaving started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia,” says Pace. “These people have been braiding their hair for centuries. Among many African tribes, braided hairstyles were a unique way of identifying each tribe. Braid patterns and hairstyles were indicative of a person’s tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion. Braiding was and is a social art. Because of the time it can take, people often take the time to socialize. It started with the elders braiding their children, then the children watched and learned from them. Younger children began practicing on each other and eventually learned the traditional styles. This tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly found its way around the world. It was around the 1900s when braids became most popular around the world. Almost all women, children and most men had their hair braided in some way.”

In terms of time periods, Pace writes Africa as 3500 BC. Chr. Cornrows too; Egypt with Afro box braids in 3100 BC Greece with the halo braid in the first century; Indians with pigtails in the fifth century; Europe with the crown braid from 1066 to 1485; China with the stair mesh from 1644 to 1912; the Caribbean with modern cornrows in the 1970s; and the internet (of course) with braid tutorials, which became particularly popular in 2005 when YouTube took off.

According to Sims, beaded cornrows were very popular in the 1970s, and box braids gained popularity in the 1990s.

“In my opinion, braids will never go out of the picture. They will always be fashionable because they are practical and chic,” says Saviano.

7:23 Click play to learn how to braid cornrows with Nigella Miller

The Evolution of Braids

Getty Images

“Expressions and styles have changed, but the braiding patterns have stayed the same,” says Sims. “In today’s culture, braids are adorned, worn, and celebrated in many different ways. Men and women who would not have worn them before now accept them. Women approach the braiding style in different ways. From clean lines to braids that are organic and messy. Women deal with coolness very differently.”

Saviano repeats the same statement regarding today’s braided styles. “In today’s society, we see messier and freer braids that don’t have to be tight or perfect. People accept that braids look less perfect, chic and more relaxed,” says Saviano.

“Box braids morphed into the community spirit of the modern world,” Sims continues. “Weaving studios in African American communities like Harlem are the perfect example. Having your hair braided in this salon environment creates unity and embraces a historical culture.”

The cultural context of braids

Getty Images

“Braids aren’t just a style, this craft is an art form,” says Pace. “Women and men of all ages have their hair braided every day. Whether it’s a day when you just want your hair out of your face or a special event full of elegance, the art of braiding has evolved beyond the original cultural ideas.”

“African Americans, braids are a popular style for women with natural textures,” explains Sims. “This style is used for kinkier textures as a form of protective styling – not just for fashion. Wearing braids protects the natural hair from heat damage and moisture.”

Ziomara Asprilla Garcia recalls the click, click, click of her mother’s hands quickly braiding strands of hair and twisting them into neat rows under a mango tree in Colombia.

Click, click, click in the fresh breeze in the city of Istmina, Choco state. Her mother’s fingers were wondrous and magical, moving as if they were extensions of her thoughts. She watched silently as her mother parted her sister’s hair and twisted it into elaborate hairstyles, continuing the centuries-old tradition of braiding hair among Afro-Colombian women.

“I was always curious and fascinated by the way my mother moved her hands,” says Asprilla Garcia, who came to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to represent Choco’s Afro-Colombian women.

The way her mother braided was the ancient way, a way that came with her people from Africa. As she demonstrates braiding, Asprila Garcia, 34, explains his history in Colombia. Here Asprilla Garcia lives in a caramel-colored house near a mango tree with her husband, son, mother-in-law, two servants and a little boy who was so poor that she took him in to take care of him. There she still braids in the wind, on the porch or under her mango tree.

“I love braids,” she says.

Asprila Garcia was 8 when she learned to braid. As she grew up, she created more elaborate hairstyles featuring birds, butterflies, and even musical instruments. With these styles, she won first place at a braiding festival in Bogota last year. A few months later, Smithsonian curators, scouring the region for representative cultural activities, called and informed her that she had been chosen to demonstrate Choco’s weaving tradition at the Folklife Festival.

Crowds on the mall crowd close to Asprila Garcia’s table and watch her braid. They seem impressed by their intricate designs.

She works under a sign that reads “Tejiendo Colores”, “Weaving Colors”. Behind her, a second sign reads that “the art of hairdressing has become an icon of Afro-Colombian identity.”

“How long does it take?” asks Betty Belin, a viewer holding a snapshot of a complex design.

“Three hours,” Asprilla Garcia says through a translator in Spanish.

A little girl with blonde hair climbs onto a chair and Asprilla Garcia takes strands of green acrylic hair extensions and wraps them around the girl’s strands of hair and braids them into a long, single braid. The girl gets down from the chair and smiles.

Asprila Garcia tells the audience that the braiding tradition is hundreds of years old in Colombia and even older in Africa.

The first slaves came to Colombia at the beginning of the 16th century. Most were brought by the Spanish who colonized the area. They settled near the coastal areas, where most of the sugar plantations were operated, says Denisse Yanovich, cultural attaché at the Colombian embassy.

But groups of slaves escaped and found refuge in geographically remote areas. In these areas, once considered uninhabitable, groups of runaway slaves thrived and built communities. The population of these areas – including Choco, where Asprilla Garcia is from – has been mostly black for hundreds of years.

During slavery in Colombia, hair was braided to convey messages. For example, to signal that they wanted to flee, women braided a hairstyle called exits. “It had thick, tight braids that were braided tight at the scalp and tied in a knot at the top,” says Asprila Garcia.

Someone in the crowd says to Asprila Garcia that the style is very similar to what she wears to black women in the district.

“Yes, too,” she says.

“And another style had curved pigtails braided tightly on top of their heads. The sweeping braids would represent the streets they would take to flee,” says Asprila Garcia. “They also stored gold in the pigtails and hid seeds that helped them survive in the long run after they fled.”

“Why didn’t they speak the messages?” someone asks.

“At that time, many owners understood their language,” says Asprila Garcia. The message in the women’s pigtails “was the best way not to arouse suspicion in the owner. He would never guess that such a hairstyle would mean they would get away.”

Not every woman planning to escape had the same braids.

“Always,” says Asprilla Garcia, “there was one big mother in the whole group.” Such matriarchs always had a distinctive hairstyle. “The rest would know what it means.”

She notes with satisfaction that there has been a resurgence of braided hairstyles in Colombia in recent years.

“Rather than decreasing, it’s becoming more common,” she says. “Women don’t do it because they want to send a message. . . . They braid their hair because they’re pretty.”

It’s also a matter of pride. “It’s a movement to remember what our ancestors brought with them when they came over,” she says. “It’s a movement to honor her. People braid hair and wear headdresses and more traditional clothing to honor their ancestors. People dress in African tunics and headgear. We keep this tradition alive.”

Today, says Asprilla Garcia, braiding has become a way of conveying pride and freedom from oppression. A way of saying black hair is strong enough to hold that message.

She holds up a colorful bird figurine to which she has attached braided yellow, red, and black acrylic threads. The bird represents a species that is critically endangered in Choco.

Asprila Garcia braids black and red strands into the women’s hair and then attaches the hat with acrylic thread so that the bird sits like a crown.

“I think it’s beautiful,” says Asprila Garcia. “It’s a hairstyle that nobody taught me. It was like it was born inside me.”

1 John 2:1-29

1 Little children, I am writing this to you so that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not only ours but also the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we know him if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, in him the love of God is perfect: by this we know that we are in him. 6 Whoever says that he abides in him, let him also walk as he walked. 7 Brethren, I am not writing you a new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, I write to you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you: for the darkness is past, and the true light is now shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now. 10 Whoever loves his brother stays in the light, and there is no offense with him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I wrote to you young men because you are strong and the Word of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one. 15 Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If one loves the world, the Father’s love is not in him. 16 For everything that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but of the world. 17 And the world perishes, and its lust; but whoever does God’s will remains forever. 18 Little children, it is the last time, and since you have heard that the antichrist is coming, antichrists are many even now; knowing it’s the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not from us; for if they had been from us, they would doubtless have remained with us; but they went out to show them that they were not all of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know everything. 21 I did not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and that no lie is of truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? He is the Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son has not the Father; but he who acknowledges the son also has the father. 24 Therefore keep in you what you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning is to remain in you, you will also remain in the Son and the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he promised us, namely, everlasting life. 26 This is what I wrote to you about those who deceive you. 27 But the anointing which ye received from him abides in you, and ye need not teach yourselves, but how that anointing teaches you all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and as it taught ye, ye become in him stay. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed of him when he comes. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does righteousness was born of him.

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