An interesting thing that I’ve learned since starting to do HR training is that sometimes our ideas of good manners can actually be harmful to our health. Handshaking is one of those things. Now, I’m not even going to get in to what the epidemiologist’s statistics say about how many outbreaks could be decreased by the elimination of hand-to-hand contact during key contagion periods BUT I will say that I have found that many people experience severe pain from handshakes but feel uncomfortable saying anything because of social convention. So many people suffer from arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteo, and shaking hands can be extremely painful – even damaging – to them. I know it’s hard here in Texas where we often gauge someone’s trustworthiness by the quality of their handshake, but it’s definitely something to think about.

Next installment: Why you should sneeze and cough in to your elbow.

The funny thing is that the wrist brace has nothing to do with the injury. If you look at the photo you’ll see it’s not attached or even near the injured knuckle which is there between the two bands of white tape. It’s a placebo. This smart (sneaky) hand doctor says it accomplishes the most important thing…. giving a visual to keep people from reaching out and squeezing the injured finger during a hand shake. The brace is only there to remind me and others not to shake. He said he wishes they made one with sharp spikes all over it because he’d prescribe that. I’ve already had it happen a couple of times, any habitually strong Texas style handshake reinjures the ligament.

Hope it is feeling better!

Those basketballs can be dangerous. . .