|
|
bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
I have some pain in my wrists that I hear is pretty common from twisting balloons on a regular basis. When I was twisting 3 days a week, it was pretty bad - now I just twist once or so a week and its gotten better.
I've heard that all balloon twisters will eventually develop this problem if they work long enough. Then I've talked to guys who have twisted for 10+ years with no problems at all. So...Whats the word on what my doc calls Repetitive Motion Syndrom? |
JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Also called "carpel tunnel syndrome", I've had it bad for years - I can't do a muscle pass any longer due to it. Mine gets bad when typing, but twisting doesn't seem to bother me.
In your wrist, there are a series of bones that form the "carpel tunnel" - the nerves that goto your hands pass through this tunnel. When those nerves swell up, they press up against the bones which causes the pain. The best thing to do is a good ice treatment. Put a cold ice pack on your wrists, the palm side responds the best but by all means rotate it around. Let the fingers and palms get cool too - ice is a natural anti-inflamatory, and produces no side effects like asprin (1000 people will die this year from asprin overdose!). You can also use "Tiger Balm" - this is sold a GNC stores at the mall, and recently I noticed it in Wal-Mart pharmacy. This stuff is the best, works better than ben-gay, asborine jr, icey-hot, and all the rest! It does have a strong odor to it. Somone was once complaining about CPT/RMS when I offered them a little - it just takes a very small dab. The next day, they wanted to know where to get some. It also cures headaches, just put a dab on the back of your neck. You can get surgery, but I personally don't recommend surgery - my opinion here is most likely a minority opinion. The idea of the surgery is to remove a bone in the carpel tunnel, thus making it a bigger tunnel. My problem with this approach is that it does not address the underlying problem, that the nerves in your hand are swellled up. Try ice, try Tiger Balm, and if that doesn't help then consider the surgery. JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
|
nums Veteran user I have a life, or I would have more than 366 Posts |
I twist 3-4 hours aday 5 -5 days aweek for the past 5 or so years... I have no problems (knock on wood) however I do take gloucosamine daily...may work may not...could be like the first post said "some people work 10 years and no problem"
Jeff |
Joe Howard Loyal user The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts 204 Posts |
My wrists didn't start bothering me until I had been twisting for 23 years, but personally I think it comes more from working at my computer, rather than the twisting.
I think some people have wrist problems, because they squeeze the balloons too tightly when they work. I've seen some twisters hold the balloons in a death grip, and others like they were cuddling a dove. I believe an easier grip will keep the wrists loose and fluid and help prevent problems. Also shake 'em out now and then. My Doctor suggested I try gloucosamine, so I'm gonna give it a try. I think Tiger Balm works by chasing the pain away with the smell! It does feel good though. Joe H |
Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
Try using a DMSO gel, it reduces pain on contact! It was once sold in the US legally, but now it is sold as something other than pain relief. Check out http://www.dmso.org
|
Carl Skenes New user 96 Posts |
I've been sculpting for over three decades and have had no problems, unless I make the same thing over and over ad nauseam. This is one of the main reasons I don't repeat my sculptures when working a gig. Well, that........and artistic integrity.
|
JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-08 18:31, Joe Howard wrote: I sware by Tiger Balm - it works better than any other similar product including BenGay, Absorbine Jr, Icy Hot, etc etc etc etc ... and with my back problems, I've tried them all. The only thing better than Tiger Balm is ice packs, but an ice pack wont keep working after you remove it whereas Tiger Balm will. The smell is bad, but not as bad as other products ... to reduce the smell, don't get the extra strength brand. And don't overdo it, Tiger Balm is concentrated - it only takes a small dab. Just a small dot the radius of a pencil eraser with do it. If your using it for back pain, try to isolate the exact spot the pain is coming from and hit that spot with a small dot - there is no need to cover the entire muscle like with other products. I also want to say I don't recommend asprin or similar products. While they will help in the short term, they are not good to be taking for any length of time and can lead to other complications. Like ulcers and stomach bleeding, and in some cases even death. JoeJoe
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
|
Joe Howard Loyal user The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts 204 Posts |
I first learned about Tiger Balm in the early 70's from a karate instructor who had spent a great deal of time in the Orient. It was a little harder to find back then. I had to go to Chinatown (in Boston) to get some. It's great stuff.
I don't like taking pain killers (except for headaches), either. Joe H |
haccis New user 42 Posts |
Dead Bsear,
I have been physical massage therapeut 12 years and taken care about hundreds of sport injuries. My recipe is very simple, effective and cheap: Use ice! Rub ice on your wrist's. 3 minutes is enough. I know, it hurts and feels very uncomfortable, but it works like a charm. Ice remove pain, inflammation and it's safety when used correctly. 3 times per day 3 minutes per time is enough. After few days your problem is gone. This is promise! (Dont over do this and rub ice about 15minutes on your wrist's or you get cold bites. Ice can "burn" too if it used too long) There is nothing wrong about tiger balm or every other salve that makes heat, but in this case you need cold and ice is the best solution. (even it feels uncomfortable, I know) Heat is good for muscle pains, when there is no inflammation. But when pain is in joints, or there is inflammation, you need ice. Every doctor know agree this. I suggest you watch your twisting technic too. don't twist so much with wrist, roll balloon with your fingers instead. Avoid extreme positions of your wrists AND... twist balloons on your waist level. (much easier position for your neck and shoulders) If you want that everybody see what yo twisting, stand on platform. (After every spurt "they" rubbed ice over Carl Lewis's ankles. Think how many gold metals Lewis won in 100m run after all? Sure he's ankles have been taken care with best method that is known and that wasnt laser or acupuncture or nothing more than ICE!) That's all, gnite =) haccis |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ballooning 101 » » Wrist pain from twisting (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |