Medical Problems From a Poor Pencil Grip

Learning how to hold a pencil properly is an important technique for any child to learn. There are many medical problems from a poor pencil grip that arise if your child holds a pencil improperly. These problems are avoidable if your child learns the correct technique at an early age.

Writer's cramp

Writer's cramp causes a spasm throughout the hand that affects writing ability. This cramp usually occurs in children who hold a pencil with four fingers, or who grip a pencil too tightly. This cramp is uncomfortable in mild cases, and is extremely painful in severe cases. Using a pencil grip is a good way for your child to avoid writer's cramp. Using a pencil grip helps ease the stress on your child's fingers, and also teaches your child how to hold a pencil properly. A great tool for your child is the C.L.A.W. pencil grip. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful medical issue that occurs from pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve runs through the wrist, and it supplies feeling to the hand. Many people grip pencils too tightly while writing, and this causes carpal tunnel syndrome. Clenching a pencil tightly for long periods of time inflames the ligaments throughout the wrist and put pressure on the median nerve. In some cases, In some cases, this leads to numbness throughout the entire hand and wrist. In other cases, it causes shooting pains to occur throughout the fingers, wrists and hands.

Always hold your pencil correctly to avoid medical problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and writer's cramp. Both issues are easily avoided if you use proper form to hold a pencil. Remember to keep your fingers in a tripod position on the pencil, and also keep your grip light to prevent problems.