Tips and exercises for caring for your hands over time?

Question

I've noticed lately after ten years as a full-time programmer/computer user ( and hobby guitarist ) that my hands are starting to get a bit tight in certain movements. I'm sure this is a matter of having been doing the same things with them for many years, but as I understand it this pattern is one that is likely to result in arthritis in the long term and I would prefer to keep my hands flexible and working for as long as possible.

Do any of you have any suggestions for good hand or wrist-specific stretches and exercises to keep your hands working well in the long term?

I know that this ties in to posture, back, shoulder and arm matters which have arisen previously but I'm thinking very specifically about hands here and how best they can be preserved.

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Related:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/526679/as-a-programmer-how-do-you-deal-with-carpal-tunnel-closed

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1915/how-do-i-know-if-have-rsi-or-carpal-tunnel

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/455525/is-the-switch-to-dvorak-worth-it

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/397499/tendonitis-in-my-wrist

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/687/keyboard-for-programmers

Answer 1

I've spoken with several traumatologists and they all suggested I should extend my fingers in this way:

• Put your palm upwards;
• With your other hand, pull your fingers downside and backwards.
• You should do this with all fingers; if you can't reach your thumb, then stretch it separately.

This is like stretching any other muscle in your body after any sport.