How Yard Work Gloves Can Actually Make Discomfort Worse

It’s that time of year again — the air’s cooler, the leaves are piling up, and yard work suddenly feels a little easier to manage. Maybe you’re cleaning up the garden, stacking firewood, or getting things ready for a fall evening around the firepit.

But if you’re living with arthritis or neuropathy, you know yard work isn’t always so simple. Your hands ache, fingers tingle, or worse — they go numb halfway through the job.

Most people slip on a pair of gloves thinking they’ll help. Seems like the smart move, right? But here’s the problem: the wrong gloves can actually make arthritis and neuropathy worse.

Arthritis and neuropathy already affect circulation and nerve health. Tight gloves restrict blood flow even further, which can cause numbness, tingling, stiffness, or swelling. It’s like trying to run water through a garden hose that’s being squeezed shut.

You don’t have to dread yard work or suffer through it. With a few simple changes, your hands can get through chores without the aches and pains.

How to Keep Your Hands Comfortable While You Work

Tips for Choosing Gloves That Help Not Hurt

Look for gloves that:

Have adjustable straps (snug, not tight)
Are padded in the palms but flexible in the fingers
Breathe well to reduce swelling
Come in multiple sizes, so you’re not stuck with “one-size-fits-all”

And while working:

Take short breaks to stretch your hands
Switch tasks so you’re not gripping the same tool too long
Avoid overly heavy tools that force you to clench harder

Hand Stretches for Yard Work

Keep your hands and wrists comfortable with these simple stretches you can do during short breaks:

Finger Extensions: Spread your fingers wide, hold 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 5 times.
Fist Clench & Release: Make a fist, squeeze gently, then open fully. Repeat 8–10 times.
Wrist Circles: Rotate wrists clockwise and counterclockwise, 5–8 times each.
Thumb Stretch: Pull each thumb back gently with the opposite hand for 5 seconds per thumb.

Doing these stretches every 20–30 minutes can help reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and make yard work more comfortable.

Putting It All Together

Yard work can be tough on hands, especially if arthritis or neuropathy is part of your day. Choosing the right gloves and taking short breaks makes a huge difference — but sometimes even the best gear isn’t enough. That’s where a little extra help comes in.

A Little Extra Help from Outback

Even with the right gloves, your hands may still ache after a long day. That’s why I like the Pain Relief Pack — it includes the Outback Pain Cream, the Outback Oil Roll-On, and a FREE 7-Day Pack of Outback Oil Sachets — everything you need to keep your hands and joints moving comfortably.

Shop Pain Relief Pack