[TheForge] Repetitive motion injuries

[Michael Horgan]

At 08:16 AM 12/4/2004, you wrote:
>Folks,
>         I am wearing a brace on my hand until I see the hand surgeon. I 
> started not being able to grip things strongly and fingers going numb, so 
> I went to my doctor and she said I may need surgery on that wrist. Bummmmmer!
>
>Jerry

Jerry,  The suggestion I got years ago when I was in that state, was to get
one of those really thick blue rubber bands  used in groceries to hold
bundles of broccoli.Just put it over the tips of the fingers and thumb, and
(try to ) open your fingers wide.  Repeat ad nauseum.    The object is to
build up the opposite sets of muscles from the gripping ones used in
smithing, tennis playing, or typing... helps to remove pressure on the
nerve sheath. It worked for me, your mileage may vary.   Either way, good luck.

Michael D. Horgan , lughaid at earthlink.net
http://members.aol.com/lughaid/
posting from
  A BRAZEN FORGERY
Blacksmithing and Metalwork
Claremont, Ca.