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Are any of you long-time sign people starting to have shoulder, arm, and hand pain from using "the stick?" I have been a signpainter for 14 years and it is catching up to me. I have tried massage, chiropractic, and ice, but it is taking a long time to heal. Any of your experiences and remedies are welcome. Thanks so much! Heather Moodie, Scott Signworks Perth, Ontario, Canada
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Hi Heather.....I never used a mahl stick. But I do get shoulder problems from staying on the computer too long! Especially when I am designing a logo.....or cleaning one up and spend a few hours non stop on them. But nothin' a nice hot bath wont cure......
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it aint the maul stick or the paintin or the computer....you aint gona like this...but its called "the aging process".......14 yrs ago i was a lot less in pain......hahahahahaha
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Where in the world did you come up with the idea that your pain was related to the use of a mahl stick? If I DON"T use a mahl stick,I start getting a pain in my wallet. Hope you feel better.With or without a mahl stick.
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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This is an old problem I have not heard of in many years. I was taught that proper posture while using a mahl stick will make all the difference in sholder and elbow fatigue. Most sign painters hold the mahl stick too high causing joint pain. Your sholders should not be raised and arms should be lightly bent at the elbow. Your grip on both the mahl stick and brush should be light enough that a strong breeze would blow them out of your hands. You should be working just below eyeline so often this means standing on a box or stool or sitting. Keep your back straight so that your weight is evenly distributed. I agree that age causes many joint pains but after 45 years at this, I don't notice any particular one over the other.
------------------ Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio Greeley, Colorado, USA kent@smithsignstudio.com
Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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I get upper back/shoulder pain and stiffness when I spend a long day lettering, especially when I can't adjust the height of the substrate, such as on a window. Yesterday I spent four hours painting outlines for a glass-gold job - very precise, exacting work - and the tension builds up in the muscles, especially around the shoulder blades, and as I get older it does take more time to heal. I never thought of it having to do with a mahlstick, but I suppose it would. Take two advil and call me in the morning.
Better yet, it's St. Patrick's Day, so I plan to medicate myself with Jameson's. Slainte!
------------------ "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam Finest Kind Signs 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988"
Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi. Heather I don't get any promlems with aching shoulders, just calloused knuckles at the base of my third and fourth fingers of my right hand ( I'm left handed ), through holding the mahl stick and my knuckles rubbing on various substrates for the past 40 yrs. I agree with Kent. I teach Signwriting at my local college and one of the first things I tell my students is that one of the main things when setting up, is to get comfortable and in an unstrained position with the lettering they are working on at eye level. ------------------ Goldenmahl Dave Hodge's Traditional Signs. Preston, England. 01772 743352 GOLDENMAHLDAVE@aol.com
[This message has been edited by Dave Hodge (edited March 17, 2001).]
Posts: 108 | From: Preston, Lancashire, England | Registered: Mar 2000
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youse guys & gals...need to find a tia chi or chi gong class in the evenings....will do wonders for your posture and aches.....works for me.....and quit eatin all that uric acid.....
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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