A few weeks ago we wrote about the importance of wrist protection for snowboarding. As that article mentions, it's been proven that wearing a wrist brace while snowboarding significantly lowers your odds of wrist injuries while snowboarding. Here's one of the top wrist braces we recommend for snowboarding:

DonJoy Wrist Wraps - This wrist brace allows your hand to freely move around. It won't get in the way, but still provides ample protection for the wrist during sports and job-related wrist activities. DonJoy Wrist Wraps are also very comfortable to wear and easy on the wallet.

One of the biggest complaints from first-time or beginner snowboarders is how much their wrists hurt from the constant falling whether its getting off the lift or trying to make it down the bunny slopes.  For most people, the first instinct when falling is to brace yourself with your wrists.  Unfortunately, this creates a lot of impact on the wrists and you can end up straining, spraining and even fracturing your wrist.  Wearing a wrist brace can help absorb some of that impact and prevent injury.  Even seasoned snowboarders tend to land on their wrist when they are about to fall.

More important than just protecting your wrists when you snowboard is learning how to fall safely and properly so that you lower the risk of hurting yourself.  Instead of trying to break your fall with your hand or wrist, use your forearms.  Your forearms provide a larger platform to land on and to absorb impact.  This will also protect your wrists which are more prone to injury.  If you must land on your wrist, make your hand into a fist so that your wrist does not get hyperextended.

If you are falling in a direction where are you unable to land on your forearms, try to fall on the side of your body as a whole.  Similar to landing on your forearms, the larger the area you allow to absorb the impact, the better chances you have of not letting a weaker part of your body take the bulk of the impact.  If you find yourself falling backwards, take notice to bring your chin to your chest to avoid hitting your head on the ground.  Concussions, neck, and head injuries are by far one of the most dangerous injuries and can be catastrophic.

If you find yourself with a wrist injury, make sure you R.I.C.E.

Rest:  take a few runs off depending on the severity of your pain and injury or stop all together.

Ice:  Cold therapy will help reduce swelling and inflammation.  There are wrist ice packs that are sized specific for the wrist area.

Compress:  Immobilize the area and compress with a wrist brace to help stabilize and reduce swelling.

Elevate:  Keep your wrist rested above your heart to help reduce swelling.

Take the precaution to protect your wrists and yourself from other common snowboarding injuries this season and enjoy the slopes!