posted
Just read a post on another board and read about something I hate to admit but I feel is a persistant problem amongst handletterers and sign painters. So my question is,...how do you deal with it when that nasty quill or fitch gets electrified and that tingling numbness strikes?
Does any of the "pc" crew have any suggestions and or comments on preventive measures and or cures/solutions? I can get a mouse pad with corrective pads for this problem,but what about my stylus????? Maybe there is a device and solution someone can share here,....
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey timi..don't know if I have carpal tunnel or not but I have problems with area below my left thumb. It stays sore all the time. I figure repetitive action like holding my Dixie cup of paint when I letter being part of the cause. Of course Roger has a different theory, he thinks it's carpal tunnel syndrome from typing on my keyboard. I have had the chiropractor adjust my hand some but I saw no improvement. He claims the bones are out of place. The only thing I do for it now is take ibuprofen from time to time. Others have advised me to wear a wrist brace. I haven't tried this yet. Here's a site for wrist braces: http://www.docortho.com/Orthopedic_Supports/Catalog/Wrist_B16.html?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=WRIST+CARPAL+TUNNEL&ovcrn=carpal+tunnel&ovtac=PPC Anybody else got any remedies? Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2629 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
As much time as I spend at a computer, I've never had CT problems. I guess subconsciously I maintain posture while at this infernal box all day.
Stretching and flexing regularly (your whole body, not just your wrists) will help. If you only stretch one certain area you will create tension elsewhere.
This is probably tough to do when handlettering but you need to keep your wrist in a neutral position, not bent in any one direction. It's the repeated bending that pinches the nerves and causes the pain. There are braces out there that will lock your wrist into place if you need the help but it's best to do it without the bracing so you actually learn to break the behavior.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Judy, I have had a really sore spot ALL THE TIME, sometimes worse than others, for years. Right thumb, at the base, bone looks slightly dislocated. It's sore to the touch, and hard to twist things with the fingers, has become a way of life.
I finally went to a doctor a few months back. The diagnosis was: Wear and Tear Arthritis. (Go figure where that may be coming from
Remedy, some pills, 3 a day, which I don't take. And a hand brace. My all day long personal remedy is a half of an ace bandage wrapped around the bottom part of my hand for support. Cut the end into half about a three inch long cut, tie the ends together, and hook that loop over your thumb. This helps me more than the approx. 10 different types of braces I have bought over the years. AND it comes off in about one second if you don't want to look injured for whatever reason.
Timi, about Carpal Tunnel, once diagnosed as such, all I know about that takes care of it is surgery.
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I come from a family full of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome sufferers. I think it will be only a matter of time before it catches up with me. For years I awaken with numb hands and I leave em hang over the side of the bed till they "wake up". And a day where I paint for hours while clutching a Dixie cup leaves me with a left hand like a lobster claw. Just comiserating & have no cures. Love...Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Keeping your wrist straight will help deter carpal tunnel.
Bending your wrist back a lot such as typeing with your fingers higher than your wrists will cause carpal tunnel. The more extreme the bend the higher the chances.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I was troubled with Carpal tunnel for years unitl I finally got the surgery...on both hands (but not at the same time). I wore the braces at night, which helped, but the thing that let me go for years before I had the surgery, was high doses of B complex. B complex hwlps tremendously except you have to take it religiously for 90 days before you'll see a difference. It helped me to go about 6 years until I could have the surgery. Unfortunately I let it go too long and I endedup with shoulder problems.
The surgery isn't that scarey and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I few words of advice. Have it done at a slow time of season (I had mine done right after deer season closed). If you are having both hands done, practice doing things with the opposite hand before you go into surgery. If you are right handed, practice writing your signiture with the left, bathroom duties, etc.
If your doctor wants to cut just below your wrist, don't do it. The incision should be between the two fleshy parts of your palm at your wrist. I have talked with so many people that had it done and their surgeon cut in their arm, below their wrist. They couldn't understand why the surgery didn't work.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Timi surgery is not that bad and can be done in the Dr.'s ofc. if he is so equipped. It is simply a matter of relieving the pressure from the nerve, which is inflamed. The pain will become so bad that you cannot sleep at night without hanging your hand off the bed. Anti-inflamatory drugs will help, but beware of the side effects if you are succeptable.
I come from a fly of florists who have suffered from CTS as a result of the repetive motion of wiring flowers and making bows. Thank goodness the bows are not stylish anymore in design. Assembly line workers suffer from it because of repeating the same tasks over & over.
You are a very talented artist and I hope you will relieve yourself of the pain so you can enjoy your work.
Myra, I have the same problem with my right thumb. I don't hand letter, so I blame it on the darned squeegie!
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I'll chime in on this with my own story and results. I had 95% loss of both arms from the shoulder to the tips of my fingers.
It came on over time and with longer lasting periods of numbness. At the worstest point I went to dip my french master quill into my pallet cup and it wasn't there, but had spilled all down my leg... I never felt it or the brush fall outta my hand.
Sleeping was just awfull and waking up without the use of my arms and the sensation that I had none was not tolerable so I went to see the doctor, a specialist. This schmuck (yes I know the translation of the word) who was a family friend and worked on my mother and sister both for the same thing tells me... " well, before we get any further I see you are self employed.... and well unless you can prove adequate insurance for a disability........ blah blah blah...." he trailed off as I walked out.
After talking with a few people I figured most of the problem was from strain and preasure on the crappytunnel and some things that help are: Reduce fatigue, change my diet (salt makes you retain water so I eliminated ALL salt). Reduce stress and change poor posture. I quit on of 3 jobs and learned how to make my business more profitable.
I can add alot to this but basically in 6 months I was back to 100%, however it required a whole new way of doing things... Carving signs at an eisel standing upright was one simple change.... look at your bad habits and do what makes sense.... surgery and pills should be the the very last resort, both my mom and sister had 3 surgeries before the were better.... most people are fine over time.... but they also had to make some changes in thier work habits.
-------------------- "No excuses!.... No regrets!..."
posted
Like many in this biz, I spend a lot of time with a piece of plastic in my hand while looking at this screen. If you feel like a traditional mouse is part of what is causing your trubs, I would recommend a device like TrackBall by Logitech. I've been using one for years and swear by it. Your wrist does not move- just the first and middle finger. .02
-------------------- Jay Nichols ALPHABET SOUP
~the large print giveth and the small print taketh away~ Posts: 176 | From: SW Florida | Registered: Mar 2002
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Although I don't suffer from Carpal Tunnel, I did have a rare bone infection years ago and subsequent surgeory that resulted in readjusting how I do my work.
There are currently 4 bones in my wrist that have been permanently fused together. This limits both my grip strength and mobility. The plus side is that I'll not likely get CT since the wrist stays pretty much locked into a short range of movement. I've readjusted over the years to paint more with moving my arm than my wrist as a result.
One other thing to consider is how well your shop is set up. If you find yourself in discomfort after doing a lot of the same motion, adjusting the height or angle of a table can do a lot to help. Although it may feel like tingling in the thumb or hand, poor positioning can cause pinched nerves in the neck, but are felt along the arm and into the wrist as well. After a couple of herniated discs last fall, revamping the shop with higher benches and different chairs, stool, easels, etc seems to be helping a lot.
I've always done a lot of different kinds of work at the same time so that, if I should start to fatigue or notice discomfort, I can break away and work on something else to avoid repetitive motion.
If it don't feel right... Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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My girlfriends father was diagnosed with that same thing in his right hand. About 30 years ago he was involved inan industrial accident that he lost his left arm in. He was not to happy with the idea of having to have surgery on his tendons without guarenteed results so he started doing some simple excercises several times a day and after a while it doesnt bother him anymore.
-------------------- Jake Lyman Lyman Signs 45 State Road Phillipston, MA 01331 Posts: 635 | From: Phillipston, MA | Registered: Sep 2002
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I'v held a pencil, stick of chalk, paint brush, chisle, or mouse in my hand all my life. Its no wonder I came down with a severe case of CTS. After the surgury, I didn't quit work for 4 month, I broke the all the stiches out by the end of the day. Get the surgury over with . . .the night time pain stops right away. good luck John
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hi Timi...I had both wrists operated on about 25 years ago and it has been 150% effective...don't have the problem anymore at all.
My problem began from milking to many cows when I was young.
When I want to do heavy work I found that my wrists are not quite as strong as they used to be, so I wear elastic wrist bands while working. Don't let that deter you... it is well worth it. That pain is not worth putting up with.
posted
I guess if you are experiencing those kind of problems you are "making money". From time to time when I was doing alot of "big rigs", some which would come in bunches for fleets I would get"tennis elbow" due to height/angle I would be working at. Years ago when I worked in a commercial/production shop for someone else I was told I had "Parking Signs" disease. When I left ,..it went away.
-------------------- Rich Stebbing RichSigns Rohnert Park CA 707-795-5588 Posts: 755 | From: Rohnert Park, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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When I hand letter, I hold the brush in my left hand (Lefty) and my mahl sick, cup of paint and a little pallete in my right hand. Now if I haven't lettered in a few days my hand muscles may get a little stiff. I put down everything and work out my hand. Streching, flexing, and doing the a little finger dance. I figure that the muscles, nerves and bones in my hand get a little stiff and cold and need to be reminded and prepped for the work of which they are going to do. When I attended Los Angeles Trade Tech, Mr. Richard Earnest would tell his students that while they where watching TV they should twirl a pencil between their fingers like a lettering bursh to keep their fingers nimble. I also use a Don King "Royal Shaft" mahl stick. It is made out of,,, you know, like a fishing rod,,,liteweight fiberglas?. Well, it is very liteweight and strong. So that's how I handle the stiffies.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3973 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Judy, I used to find my left thumb went numb too, and locked up, from holding little tins of paint for ages. I put up with it, but after badly jiggering my neck in the 80s ( I stood up too soon after ducking under a roller door which I hadn't walked far enough under, in the dark) I visited a chiropractor. He was a good one, and spent 40 minutes expalining what & why he was about to do something, two minutes doing it, and I spent 40 minutes on an electric shock machine which was supposed to retrigger forgotten muscles into holding my neck in place again.
While this was going on, I told him about my thumb, and he put the shock thing there for 15 minutes. A year later I went back with the same roller door neck crash (you think a bloke'd learn!), and he fixed me & zapped the thumb again. It's been great almost ever since- well for over 10 years anyway. Probably time it was zapped again.
edit to add P.S. and you have to learn to relax as you work.
P.P.S I have a gel-filled blob on the front of the mouse pad to support your wrist- it's great!
[ July 08, 2004, 06:36 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7021 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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I spoke with a friend of mine the other day, that had CTS very bad. He had to wear a brace because of it. He went to a Chiropractor, and got poked, and prodded on his wrist, and it got better. He said that was about four years ago, and he's still doing fine. He doesn't wear the brace on his wrist anymore either. I also knew a couple of people who had surgery, and were worse off than before. I would go that route, as a last resort.
-------------------- Luke S. Luke Scanlan Artistry Ocala, Fl. lukescanlan@cox.net Posts: 249 | From: Ocala, Florida | Registered: Nov 2001
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