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One size does not fit all, a lesson in ergonomics

Jim Bremer

Jim Bremer

Joined
Apr 24, 2005
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Location
East Longmeadow MA
I was reading the thread from W C Turner about his neck problem and I thought I would share a similar situation. I turn on a VB Bowlmaster, which I love, but I experienced painful tendentious when I first started using it. I solved the problem by doing two things. First I build a 4 inch high movable base to stand on. I'm 5'9", but by standing higher I tend to bend my elbows less. Second, I purchased a couple of elbow braces (2 inch wide cloth straps with adjustable velcro closures) which are worn on the forearms a couple inches from the elbow. These are made for tennis players, but boy do they make a difference when I'm turning. You can buy them at most drug stores or Wal-Mart

Lathes come in one size, turners don't.
 
Jim,

I too use a platform to stand on when I'm hollowing on my Stubby; makes a big difference in the effect on my arm and shoulder.

I have Carpal Tunnel in both my hands. I tried the tennis elbow tendon-control bands for a while, but if the CT acts up, I have to go back to the wrist braces. They make it hard to properly grip the long hollowing tool handles, so I'm in the process of making a captured boring-bar rig that will take all of my hollowing tools.

Ain't gettin' old a b****? :D

m

ps: looking forward to meeting you at the IG wall display section!
 
Mark I was diagnosed with mild carpal tunnel in my right hand and more than mild in my left (I forget his terminology for it) but I would wake up with my whole arm numb and had numb fingers etc. The doctor wanted to operate and didn't even offer physical therapy.
I went to the gym instead and did lots of curls, reverse curls and forearm curls. My tennis elbow went away and probably 99 percent of my carpal tunnel. I figured it was caused by bending my wrists up all the time on the computer so I simply worked the antagonist muscles and solved the problem. Don't know if that would work for everyone but it did for me.
 
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