Protect Your Hands This Summer: Injury Prevention Tips for Mountain Living

Elevando la Salud

31 de julio de 2026

Kamerin Hargrove

Summer in Colorado’s mountain communities means gardening, landscaping, hiking, biking, grilling and tackling outdoor projects. While these activities help us enjoy the season, they can also take a toll on our hands, wrists and elbows.

From overuse injuries in the garden to burns from the grill or campfire, hand injuries are common, but many are preventable. And when pain or injury does happen, the Certified Hand Therapists en Howard Head Medicina Deportiva can help you recover and get back to the activities you love.

Garden Smarter, Not Harder

Gardening is one of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain during the summer months. Repetitive digging, pruning and gripping tools can lead to tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other overuse injuries.

To help protect your hands:

Wear sturdy gardening gloves to prevent cuts, scrapes and infections from bacteria and fungi found in soil.

Use ergonomic tools with padded, wider handles to reduce stress on your hands and wrists.

Take breaks every hour and alternate tasks to avoid repetitive strain.

Lift with both hands when carrying heavy bags of soil, mulch or plants.

Use a gardening stool or bench instead of pushing yourself up with your hands from a kneeling position.

Use tools- not your hands- to dig in unfamiliar areas where hidden sharp objects may be buried.

Store tools safely after each use to prevent accidents.

Small adjustments like these can go a long way in preventing hand pain and injury.

Be Careful Around Summer Heat

Whether you’re grilling on the deck, enjoying a campfire or cooking outdoors, burns are another common summertime hand injury.

Hand burns can result from:

Hot grills or fire pits

Boiling water or hot grease

Electrical equipment

Lawn or pool chemicals

Prolonged sun exposure

Even burns that seem minor can lead to stiffness, scarring and reduced hand function if deeper layers of skin are affected.

If a burn causes significant blistering, severe pain, swelling, or difficulty moving your fingers, seek medical evaluation promptly.

When to See a Certified Hand Therapist

Persistent hand pain isn’t something you have to “work through.” If you’re experiencing pain, numbness, weakness, stiffness or recovering from a burn or hand injury, early treatment can improve recovery and help prevent long-term problems.

Howard Head Sports Medicine’s Certified Hand Therapists specialize in treating conditions affecting the hands, wrists and upper extremities. Depending on your injury, treatment may include:

Custom splints (orthoses)
Exercises to restore strength and mobility
Scar management following burns or surgery
Swelling and pain management
Education on body mechanics and injury prevention
Guidance for safely returning to work, sports and outdoor recreation

For patients recovering from burns, early hand therapy is especially important to help maintain motion, manage scar tissue and support healing.

Enjoy Everything Summer Has to Offer

Your hands are essential for everything from planting flowers and casting a fishing line to gripping bike handlebars and enjoying a weekend barbecue. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep them healthy throughout the season.

If a hand injury or ongoing pain is limiting your ability to enjoy Colorado’s mountain lifestyle, the Certified Hand Therapists en Howard Head Medicina Deportiva are here to help you regain strength, restore function and get back to doing what you love.