So.... carpal tunnel
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wip3outguy7
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Re: So.... carpal tunnel
^LOL, I still have my HRAP2SA. Though, I think HAPP sticks would be better suited for foot play.
Re: So.... carpal tunnel
Having dealt with the same problem for 6+ years when I took the apprenticeship in my current occupation (boilermaker aprentice = grinding with 5-9" Makita and Harley brand heavy-duty angle grinders and heavy lifting using upper body strength which I didn't have) I have found a way around the problem without taking the highly damaging surgery that was mentioned (My brother got it done and was out of work for almost a year in physiotherapy to correct the resultant loss of his wrist strength and the nerve damage he still has was never fixed tho the setches did rebuild most of his functionality). The main problem in carpal tunnel is the band of cartilage/scar tissue that forms around your wrist joints as they meet your hand is building up and tightening from repetitive motions in the same position. This causes the tendons and nerves to swell and usually results in the nerves losing the battle for space (horrible pain, numbness/eraser-like/tingling feeling in your fingers and other problems such as dropping stuff because of loss of muscle coordination)
The solution is daily stretches of your hands and finding ways to use your hands in positions that will not cause the repetitive motion in the same position (which is typically what causes the scar tissue to build up). The track ball mouse is only a temporary solution. Deal-Extreme has handheld wii-nunchuk-like ones for sale real cheap. Getting an adjustable mouse/keyboard arena will also hold the problem off. I talked with my bro's physiotherapist about it and she told me the solution. I found that a couple of the stretches she suggested can completely eliminate the problem. I do this about 5 times a day:
Sitting or Standing straight up, I hold my arm out at a 90 degree angle forward, hold my fingers vertically, and pull my fingers back with my other hand as much as my tendons will stretch.
I then rotate my fingers and hand clockwise until it becomes slightly painful.
I do the same thing in a counterclockwise direction.
Next I push my first knuckles and the back of my hand downward leaving my fingers limp and do the same rotation of my wrist joint.
Each time I do this to the extremes I am able - every time a bit further.
I once-in a while do the same stretches at other angles from my body -vertically up for instance- since I think my shoulders are slightly damaged too.
I also stretch each finger and every joint in my arms in a similar way, pushing the limits of my flexibility.
I think that in doing this the band of cartilage in my wrist is stretched and thus the blood-flow and nerves have more room to function. I also observed that It builds strength in my wrists and tendons making the wrist joint (the weak point in my arms) stronger and able to do more. Through this I have found that my previously very slim wrists are now wider and able to do more than I was able to do previously. I have since grown a lot more upper body strength and am able to do my job much better by using other muscles to accomplish the job at hand and trying to leave my wrists out of the equation as I used to previously rely on them for strength which they aren't meant to handle). The only time I get slight symptoms anymore is from carrying too much weight in my hands and having to maintain the same position with that weight for over 30 seconds (carrying large heavy bags of groceries to the car is the worst). In these cases I can always find a better way to transfer that weight from one place to another than brute strength. As for the grinding I do which is the worst thing for my condition (vibrating my tendons in the same position for long periods of time), I found that constantly switching my body and how I hold the grinders makes the repetitive motion problem recede (achieve the same result using different angles and positions by moving the rest of my body into a different position). This has saved me from the fate of many apprentices in my trade.
...
On the other hand I know a old-timer carpenter that claims he was out fishing 45 minutes after getting the surgery 4 years ago paid for by WCP and has never had the problems again. I honestly couldn't give advice either way but I hope some of what I said helped. My best advice is to get a doctor's opinion and second guess it with another professional consultation citing my brother's case in which it was actually whole-arm nerve damage combined with a little wrist-situated nerve damage. in his case the elbow and shoulder surgery is too risky to even consider. It's probably a good idea to consult a professional - sooner rather than later.
Edit: my brother has a picture of his operation procedure on his phone. He shows it to people when he's drunk and they ask if it's a picture of his girlfriend
The solution is daily stretches of your hands and finding ways to use your hands in positions that will not cause the repetitive motion in the same position (which is typically what causes the scar tissue to build up). The track ball mouse is only a temporary solution. Deal-Extreme has handheld wii-nunchuk-like ones for sale real cheap. Getting an adjustable mouse/keyboard arena will also hold the problem off. I talked with my bro's physiotherapist about it and she told me the solution. I found that a couple of the stretches she suggested can completely eliminate the problem. I do this about 5 times a day:
Sitting or Standing straight up, I hold my arm out at a 90 degree angle forward, hold my fingers vertically, and pull my fingers back with my other hand as much as my tendons will stretch.
I then rotate my fingers and hand clockwise until it becomes slightly painful.
I do the same thing in a counterclockwise direction.
Next I push my first knuckles and the back of my hand downward leaving my fingers limp and do the same rotation of my wrist joint.
Each time I do this to the extremes I am able - every time a bit further.
I once-in a while do the same stretches at other angles from my body -vertically up for instance- since I think my shoulders are slightly damaged too.
I also stretch each finger and every joint in my arms in a similar way, pushing the limits of my flexibility.
I think that in doing this the band of cartilage in my wrist is stretched and thus the blood-flow and nerves have more room to function. I also observed that It builds strength in my wrists and tendons making the wrist joint (the weak point in my arms) stronger and able to do more. Through this I have found that my previously very slim wrists are now wider and able to do more than I was able to do previously. I have since grown a lot more upper body strength and am able to do my job much better by using other muscles to accomplish the job at hand and trying to leave my wrists out of the equation as I used to previously rely on them for strength which they aren't meant to handle). The only time I get slight symptoms anymore is from carrying too much weight in my hands and having to maintain the same position with that weight for over 30 seconds (carrying large heavy bags of groceries to the car is the worst). In these cases I can always find a better way to transfer that weight from one place to another than brute strength. As for the grinding I do which is the worst thing for my condition (vibrating my tendons in the same position for long periods of time), I found that constantly switching my body and how I hold the grinders makes the repetitive motion problem recede (achieve the same result using different angles and positions by moving the rest of my body into a different position). This has saved me from the fate of many apprentices in my trade.
...
On the other hand I know a old-timer carpenter that claims he was out fishing 45 minutes after getting the surgery 4 years ago paid for by WCP and has never had the problems again. I honestly couldn't give advice either way but I hope some of what I said helped. My best advice is to get a doctor's opinion and second guess it with another professional consultation citing my brother's case in which it was actually whole-arm nerve damage combined with a little wrist-situated nerve damage. in his case the elbow and shoulder surgery is too risky to even consider. It's probably a good idea to consult a professional - sooner rather than later.
Edit: my brother has a picture of his operation procedure on his phone. He shows it to people when he's drunk and they ask if it's a picture of his girlfriend
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wip3outguy7
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Re: So.... carpal tunnel
Wow. I hope your brother is doing a lot better now.
Would it be possible for you to do a video of the stretches you mentioned? I think that if I could get it under control as you have, I can live with the occasional bouts if I overdo something.
Would it be possible for you to do a video of the stretches you mentioned? I think that if I could get it under control as you have, I can live with the occasional bouts if I overdo something.
Re: So.... carpal tunnel
He is. He's very skilled at rigging, fitting, welding and a ticketed collision repair technician so he can opt out of anything he doesn't want to do. I'm actually at work on night shift right now and don't have time to do a proper video type thing, but I'll attempt a stop-motion type cellphone or digital camera image when I get a chance or else the job ends in 10+ days. I owe Bacteria a video before I get to this one if I actually make one.
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wip3outguy7
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Re: So.... carpal tunnel
Thanks for the update. I read your description of the stretches very carefully and worked out my own little program I go by. I try to stretch my hands about 5 times a day. It does appear to be working. Mobility is slowly getting better and feeling has improved, especially in the last day or so.