I.Lewis on sun 16 jan 00
------------------
This is a topic which has surfaced from time to time in Ceramics Monthly and
other magazines and I think the information which has been posted here is
exceptionally useful and enlightening to those who have started to suffer. =
But I
am troubled that no one seems to have isolated the causes.
I know that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not confined to Potters who throw on =
the
wheel. Bowling green bowlers also get it, as do typists. So it seems to be
associated with repetitive, persistent strain and unusual movement or wrist
posture. Have those people who have been treated discussed this with their
health care professionals? Has anything ever been said about prevention? =
What
sort of exercises are recommended to alleviate the pain if it strikes? And =
if
pain does start, does surgery become inevitable?
I have always believed that attempting to centre with clay that is firm to =
hard
would put excessive strain on my wrists and so always try to make sure
plasticity is high before I throw. Do other people have suggestions to =
offer, on
the basis that prevention is better than the cure?
Best regards.
Ivor Lewis.
Marcia Selsor on mon 17 jan 00
Dear Lewis,
I had both hands operated on for carpal tunnel back in 1984. The pain
was too great to bare. I had lost my grip and was dropping students'
work when loading kilns. The relief was blessed but the recovery was a
long time. I still can not bend my hands all the way back as I used to
be able to do.
There are exercises to help reduce the constraint on the nerve. They
involve pulling the fingers back gently stretching them.Another is to
put palms down on a table and pull the fingers up. Check with therapists
for specifics.
many people recommend taking vitamin B-6.
I agree with you about softer clay. That is essential. My potter friends
in Spain pull towards their body when centering. This also helps rather
than that 90 degree push we are used to seeing. My doctors gave me foam
rubber tubes to put on glaze bucket handles and brushes to avoid tight
closed fist grips. There are many habits to develop to protect your
hands from abuse. Maybe others can add to these.
Marcia Selsor in Montana
"I.Lewis" wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> ------------------
> This is a topic which has surfaced from time to time in Ceramics Monthly and
> other magazines and I think the information which has been posted here is
> exceptionally useful and enlightening to those who have started to suffer. But
> am troubled that no one seems to have isolated the causes.
>
> I know that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not confined to Potters who throw on the
> wheel. Bowling green bowlers also get it, as do typists. So it seems to be
> associated with repetitive, persistent strain and unusual movement or wrist
> posture. Have those people who have been treated discussed this with their
> health care professionals? Has anything ever been said about prevention? What
> sort of exercises are recommended to alleviate the pain if it strikes? And if
> pain does start, does surgery become inevitable?
>
> I have always believed that attempting to centre with clay that is firm to har
> would put excessive strain on my wrists and so always try to make sure
> plasticity is high before I throw. Do other people have suggestions to offer,
> the basis that prevention is better than the cure?
>
> Best regards.
>
> Ivor Lewis.
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/spain99.html
http://www.silverhawk.com/ex99/selsor/welcome.html
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