RE: Strain on wrists and hands
Don't forget that using a computer mouse/keyboard can aggravate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Gilly! Hope you aren't planning on writing long books and typing them up yourself! 😉
Petal x
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among computer keyboard users. It can strike anyone, and its consequences are serious. Awareness of the problem and its causes is crucial to preventing CTS. With proper ergonomics and attention to the work routine you can prevent CTS; with early detection and treatment it need never become debilitating. The employer's attention to stress levels, proper ergonomics, and the early warning signs of CTS are important in keeping the ailment at bay in the workplace. More at.....
http://www.indiana.edu/~ucsstaff/cts.html
Many thanks
A million thanks to you all!
I have sent him the link for this site and he has been reading with interest and will be incorporating many of your tips and thoughts into his working methods.
Thank you so much for your help and support
snowflake xx
RE: Strain on wrists and hands
My concerns are a little different. I use my hands alot in my day job (stocking shelves) and then at night when I pursue my passion of playing and performing on the saxophone. My problems are achy thumbs and occationally fingers from opening and closing my hands and picking up items all day. Also, the action of pushiing the octave key down using my left thumb is especially troublesome. I have done a year of Alexander tech. Thanks for whatever help you might have.Keith
RE: Strain on wrists and hands
Oddly enough - I'm treating two saxophonists at the moment, both with problems related to & aggravated by playing, but different in nature to yours.
Assuming that it's a quality, well maintained instrument & the springs aren't too stiff.
This sounds like inflammation of joints/tendons, which may be caused by a simple mechanical problem - causing overuse of wrists. i.e. stiffness in elbows, in which case a few osteopathic treatments (I am biased) would most likley sort you out. So would say - the first place to start.
If it's gone on to develop into carpal tunnel syndrome, then that would take longer & may even need surgery.
And/or
You may be prone to inflammation & arthritis (joint inflammation) in which case I would look into food senitivities & intolerance. Suggest you check on the Arthritis & Allergies forums.
Other treatment options for either or both of the above would include TCM or 5 Element acupuncture
Good luck - Andrew.
RE: Strain on wrists and hands
Thanks Anahata for your insight. Elbows aren't a problem , just my left and to a smaller degree right thumb. Currently, I drink lots of water, use alexander inhibitions to relax shoulders, arms , fingers while playing and take Cox2 Tame and Mens Super Nutrition pills on a daily basis. I found basil pills and have started to take them. I cut out most caffene from my diet (have to have that morning cup of coffee). Last night I went to dinner before a gig and hands felt good until dinner. Ate a salad with nuts and a vinegerette dressing and some bread with butter. Don't know if anything in all that was a trigger for inflamation. My horn is is gig condition and I lightened the action with a crochet hook so the spring tension is as light as possible. I ordered a Bowen video so mayby my wife can do some of that on me and I had a great shiatsu massage last week where the massuse recommended pilates as an ongoing exercise diciplin/ (sp). So, thats where I'm at. If I didn't like playing so much I wouldn't be so stubborn but I've been in music on various intstruments for 35 years and have a mus ed degree. Thanks for listening. K
RE: Strain on wrists and hands
When I say that there is usually a problem with the elbow - I refer to the function of the elbow. It's a complex joint & not the simple hinge that many think of it as. Also, you probably won't be aware of this, as we only tend to feel pain/discomfort when they become inflamed & then brain prioritises on the more sensitive areas - i.e. hands. [:@]
The supplements & especially the COX2 inhibitors you are taking - at the end of day are only treating the symptoms. Whilst COX2 anti-inflammatories less frequently cause the stomach & gut problems that the common NSAID's (non-steroidal ant-inflammatories) cause, they do still block the inflammatory process. This is all well & good, if it's just to get you thru, while you are address the underlying problems. 😉
Inflammation is an essential part of the healing process - block it, then how can we expect the tissues to heal? [sm=scratchchin.gif]
In short long term use (I'm not suggesting that this is the case) of NSAID's including COX2 inhib's increases the degeneration of the joints. A brave study last year demonstrated this, which was common sense all along. [:o]
With regard to your suscepatbility to inflammation I think you may have answered your own question, when you said:
I went to dinner before a gig and hands felt good until dinner. Ate a salad with nuts and a vinegerette dressing and some bread with butter. Don't know if anything in all that was a trigger for inflamation.
So perhaps you won't think me so mad, when I suggested:
You may be prone to inflammation & arthritis (joint inflammation) in which case I would look into food senitivities & intolerance. Suggest you check on the Arthritis & Allergies forums.
Also, there's more info on NAET link below. You may need to take some time out, but you shouldn't have to give up the thing you love. 😉
Good luck - Andrew.
RE: Strain on wrists and hands
Thanks Andrew, I'll look into it. I didn't realise that the Cox2 and Super Nutrition were cover ups but you may be right. Without them I'm in alot more pain/discomfort from my activities. I thought I was speeding up the healing process but if I'm just covering up the effects of my misuse without doing anything to cure the problem I need to change what I'm doing. I'll look for a local person who can help pursue this allergy aspect further. I have no ego when it comes to doing what it takes to get better. Thanks K