e wilson farrington on sat 13 apr 02
After reading the comments re: seating/standing options and related back =
pain, I wanted to share my own lesson learned. After developing low back =
and hip pain that persisted even through exercise, stretches and =
anti-inflammatories, I took stock of my throwing position and seating. I =
realized that the poured concrete floor I was working on was not quite =
level, and this was throwing off my position just enough to cause a =
chronic contraction on one side. (I had taken the time to make sure my =
wheel head was perfectly level, but I never thought about my chair and =
what being slightly off-kilter was doing to my body). I have correctly =
the seating with a lift on one side and now that my position is more =
ergonomically correct, my low back pain has disappeared.=20
The new issue is the recently diagnosed arthritis in my hands. I =
would like to hear from any potters with this condition so I know a =
little more of what I might expect. My doctor suggests I continue =
working with clay to keep mobile, (like I'd quit if he told me to--hah!) =
and I have already developed some adaptive ways of working to save my =
joints. Of course, I also pop the old glucosamine 2X per day. I do not =
have what I would consider real pain yet, but my pain threshold is =
pretty high. I have mostly noticed the swollen joints and stiffness, =
with some occasional burning twinges. Any suggestions or hope for the =
future would be most appreciated. I am worried that my clay work will be =
cut short. Incidentally, I am 42 years old. Thanks!--Wilson
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