Now More Than Ever - Rio Grande

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fusion nine Medical Report Repetitive Strain Injury Mark Allen sees it all the time: stiff backs, sore necks, and painful fingers, hands and arms. Allen is a chiropractor in the creative hotbed of greater Portland, Maine, and many of his clients are painters, sculptors, and musicians. They all have something in common—they spend long hours at their craft, focused and intent. For people working in the studio arts, it means being hunched over at the bench, attention focused on tiny details at arm’s length. His advice is constant for everybody. “People need to take a break. A lot of folks wait until they are done with whatever they are working on, but I strongly recommend that they do stretching exercises while they are working,” said Allen, proprietor of Advantage Chiropractic of South Portland. “Really, the biggest challenge is that creative people get focused and they don’t want to stop. You get into it, and work until the piece is finished, but that’s really not the right approach.” Allen recommends several exercises to avoid stress ailments, which present themselves as repetitive strain injuries, or RSI. Those injuries tend to occur in arms, wrists, and fingers. Symptoms include tenderness and pain, tingling and numbness. Sometimes it also includes inability to grasp objects and tools securely and the locking of fingers, hands, and arms. The causes are what Allen calls “the intensity of creative people.” They engage in repetitive actions that often are awkward, tension-filled, and involve poor posture. Here are his recommendations: • <strong>Ever</strong>y 5 to 10 minutes, engage in extension stretches of the hand by pulling back on your fingers while they are outstretched. Do the same thing with your elbow locked and arm extended. page 10
journal of the pmc guild While standing, reach your hand over your head and down your back to your spine. With your other hand, push down on your elbow above your head to create tension. Place your hands on a flat surface and spread your fingers wide for 10 seconds, then relax and repeat. If you work hunched over, extend your back and neck in the opposite direction, creating an inverse arch with your back and neck. Hold your hands at your sides and shake them gently. “The most important thing is to be aware of your habits,” Allen said. And don’t fool yourself into thinking that your discomfort is not related to your work. It may not be, but chances are good that your work and your work habits contribute. “People come in complaining about a back injury or other specific event, but I like to monitor their hobbies or activities, because more often than not, those tie in just as much to the actual injury.” ffzstudio.com Make us your destination for metal clay classes. page 11
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