Bill Aycock on fri 22 nov 96
CT sufferers-- I have a friend who has been a productive potter for many
years- with NO adverse Carpal Tunnell problems at all. This last year, he
moved again, and within weeks started to have problems. A friend came by
and observed his working-( She is an Alfred product, and an excellent
teacher, when she can be talked into it)
Her observation was that he was wedging on a new table, that was not the
same height as his old one. He adjusted the table by about an inch, and the
problem started to go away. He is very tall, and that may have had
an effect on his table needs. ( I CANNOT remember which way he said he
adjusted !)
He, also found some relief in using wrist supports. His were slip-on, of the
same material as "ACE" bandages.
he does not use them while wedging or throwing, but claims they help if used
most of the rest of the time.
I only point this out because of the wide disparity in the comments of
various Clayarters on this subject-- some have worked years with NO
problems, while others get hit very early- I think we the instruction we
get, and the success of our observation of others working must be a factor.
An additional thing that puzzles me is the lack of a clear difference in
the prevalence of the problem in either hand. This may be only a lack of
comment, rather than a lack of a distinction. Since the work the two hands
do is so different in much of the work, it would seem that there would be a
clear trend to either the dominant hand, or the other.- I wonder --
Curious Bill- on Persimmon Hill
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill --- Woodville, Alabama, USA
--- (in the N.E. corner of the State)
also-- W4BSG -- Grid EM64vr
Sam Cuttell on sat 23 nov 96
>An additional thing that puzzles me is the lack of a clear difference in
>the prevalence of the problem in either hand. This may be only a lack of
>comment, rather than a lack of a distinction. Since the work the two hands
>do is so different in much of the work, it would seem that there would be a
>clear trend to either the dominant hand, or the other.- I wonder --
>
>Curious Bill- on Persimmon Hill
>
Dear Curious:
.....to add to the "curiosity".....
I am left handed. I throw "normal" (my Randall motorized kick only goes
one direction). I have dealt with cts.... in my *right* hand only.
My solution was drastic - though simple. I stopped throwing pieces over 5
lbs (tableware - my specialty - fits into this limited category)...and also
I stopped working PERIOD for 6 months. It was the longest 6 months of my
life. Thank heavens for a supportive spouse!!!!
I now listen to my body and restrict throwing sessions to 1.5 hours at a
crack with a minimum 1/2 hour break (this "break" simply means not
throwing). If my tingling starts mid session, I stop. Clay is patient...it
waits ;-)
I also see an RMT every 2 weeks. She works for pottery. It is the best
investment towards working in pottery that I have ever made.
I would be interested in hearing whether others have the cts in their
dominant or other hand as well!!
sam - alias the cat lady
Home of Manx cats, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and the odd horse
Melbourne, Ontario, CANADA
(SW Ontario)
http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110
"Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change."
Gerry Punt on sun 24 nov 96
been resisting this thread, but, it seems that we have all gone a few
rounds with this malady. my experience with rehab has been somewhat
different than what I have been reading. first of all learn to work with
your wrist as straight as possible as has been stated in other posts,
where my experience varies is that the cause area for my CP is just below
the elbows on the inside. massage area gently until you find the tender
area, then take thumb and apply stedy but firm pressure to area for about
a minute or so then release preasure gradually. repeat several times a
day. this method keeps me working with no limitations and have avoided
surgery. I am not a doctor, and I don't do guantees, but there's nothing
to lose trying this one.
gerry punt
Shirley Cumming on sun 24 nov 96
Sam; My cts is not in my dominant hand. I can't explain this, and have
wondered why. When wedging I use both hands equally. I have noticed that
having a sore and splinted wrist that I start to do lifting with the injured
hand- and then realize that I probably have used this hand a lot to lift
heavy objects. Thinking back and why--I usually have something else in the
other hand. Car keys, purse, book, groceries, etc.
i need to rethink all the things I do-maybe I don't even have to blame it on
clay!!!!!
Thanks for your post.
Shirley
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