[slickshift]

Anybody hurting?
What do you do about it?
Anything? Nothing?
Physical therapy? Hot Tub?
Buy stock in Icy Hot?

I have to watch my knees, wrists, elbows, and back
I'm a drummer too, so really that doesn't help those key areas
But that's sort of how I came to some understanding...and some relief

A few years ago, my knees were really hurting, mostly when I played drums
I was even on supplements like shark cartilage and rino hoof or something...lol
Didn't help, made it worse actually
Back was a mess too, (still is...but it's better than back then...lol), but getting so bad at the time I took to wearing a support while playing
"An elaborate system of trusses" as it were ("Fred Garvin...male prostitute")
I thought I might have to stop playing

After buttloads of research (OK, there's not buttloads out there, but it is hard to find and that makes it seem like buttloads of research) and many trials and tests (I even made my own drum thrones for a while), I got it

1) I purchased a new ergonomic drum throne (seat), "motorcycle style"
It allowed a little bit more freedom on movement of my legs to bounce up and down, while still providing back, butt, and leg support
2) I positioned the seat height so my legs never went more than 15* south of horizontal
3) Switched to the one beer, one water rule

Years later, not a twinge, no "Elaborate System of trusses"...ergonomics and hydration

I eliminated a weird "sparkle" thing in the center of my back
Seems I was cradling the phone in between my shoulder and ear...messed with the center of my back

I had a severe wrist/elbow thing (doing mostly sales at the time), I switched to a Dr. Grip pen and a groovy Swingline stapler (less pressure needed, fit hand better)
Voila...that got better

Hmmm...ergonomics....

Now I have to watch my technique with a brush
I'm a little ambidextrous and have always switched off often
Now I make sure to do so...not just for speed, but for wear and tear

I say a never roll w/o a pole
I really don't
It's an ergonomic thing
Helps with speed too though
I use the two footer until there is not two feet between the wall I'm painting and the opposite surface
And not just any pole, it has to be weighted comfortably
In fact, I try and use a longer pole than I need strictly for the (counter-)weight

My elbows can still get to me, I have to be careful, especially when pressure washing
Often I'll do rehearsals on the drums with those tennis elbow clamp thingies on
They strap right around and sort of clamp down just below the elbow
I don't know why, but they work pretty well
If I did any more pressure washing I'd wear those while doing it and/or get a more ergonomic rig

Hows about you guys/gals?
Any tips for easing suffering?



(Fred Garvin and his elaborate system of trusses)

 

[SgtBaldy]

Hit the gym. All the stuff we do works the same group of muscles, joints, etc. Working on the other areas helps take the strain off.

I feel tons better with the aches after I work out. It is just tough as hell gettin to the gym after workin in August heat in florida all day.

 

[Wolverine]

I'm suffering from Carpal Tunnel right now. It's coming from hangin' on the couch at night and doing these forums on my laptop! It is a tremendous help to wear the brace... especially while I sleep...

 

[Workaholic]

Hit the gym. All the stuff we do works the same group of muscles, joints, etc. Working on the other areas helps take the strain off.

I feel tons better with the aches after I work out. It is just tough as hell gettin to the gym after workin in August heat in florida all day.

Yeah tell me about it, i am big into inline skating and like to do it every other day or so, but when it is 100+ it is hard to get going. Once i do though i am always glad i did.

 

[DelW]

I sometimes try to do a few 12oz curls after work.:drink:

 

[Joewho]

I have all the same problems. Only one knee, since I got hit by a car when I was a kid, there's no "back" to the other knee and it's never hurt.

Back problems are limited to lower back compression. Sleeping on the side with knees drawn in help that a lot. It's no fun to get that little swayback stance, I'm already short.
I have this move you'd have to see, going from cutting in to dipping and cutting again in one smooth motion. Sucks when my fingers get locked into position.

Most of the time I work with injury/discomfort to the point that I know I'll miss work if I don't knock it off. This is where it helps to work alone, for myself. If something is hurting, I can find something else to do for while.

 

[Rossiter Painting]

I had tennis elbow a few years ago. I just took bee pollen it took away the pain. I stopped taking it for bit once to see if it was really what stopped the pain. And my elbow started hutting. Of course I got right back to it. I took if for about year or so and then stopped and problem has been gone ever since.

 

[vermontpainter]

Shoulders are it for me. Rotator cuffs and rhomboid muscles (shoulder blade area), also neck. All of this is from over head work.

I go to a physical therapy based chiropractor where I get motion massage and stretching as well as adjustments. They also put electric stimulation on these muscle groups to loosen them up. I attend a tai chi class as well and practice as much as possible.

Another good reason to have employees who are young, strong, healthy and energetic. When my muscles go, hopefully my head will still be intact. :blink:

 

[Rich]

too young to have any issues yet myself
I am big on exercise and weight lifting, so that has helped I suppose

 

[Chameleon]

All of the above......Carpal tunnel (spelling) both wrists, bad back, shoulder and tennis elbow, which I can't understand cause I haven't played tennis ever. My solution....hired a sprayman, and other painters so I can push paper, and collect money owed. I feel great !!! Now the only pain I have is an aching wallet, and a sore a$$ hand from writing checks.

 

[cole191919]

Now the only pain I have is an aching wallet, and a sore a$$ hand from writing checks.

Ha ha. Thats not much of a complaint I must say.

Separated shoulder for me. Did it in hockey and was supposed to have surgery to repair cartilage, but being as stubborn as I was I figured working more would fix it. :no: I'll be sittin a the dinner table now and it will just slide out of place. Makes a nice clicking/grinding sound too!

 

[Bibleman]

Though it sounds overly simple, I just try to avoid doing things that hurt. I do this mainly by finding other ways to do certain procedures. Plus I forced myself to be ambidextrous to spread out the wear and tear. Oh, I also noticed that I wasn't sleeping well because of body aches and pains so I began taking 8 hour Tylenol before bedtime and some melatonin. By sleeping better the body gets to repair itself better.:thumbsup:

 

[Chameleon]

Ha ha. Thats not much of a complaint I must say.

Separated shoulder for me. Did it in hockey and was supposed to have surgery to repair cartilage, but being as stubborn as I was I figured working more would fix it. :no: I'll be sittin a the dinner table now and it will just slide out of place. Makes a nice clicking/grinding sound too!

EEEWWWWW!!!!!

 

[mattrecov]

for me its always the knees...up and down those durn laddders all day...I just try to take up everything I need to save extra trips because I forgot to grab my 5 in 1, etc.

 

[Wing 54]

For me knees. Had right knee replaced last Dec. Did PT and then off days in gym. Then spring got here and didn't take time for gym. Decided yesterday gotta go back.

Gotta become more ambidextrious too.

 

[CApainter]

The neck from looking up at ceilings over the years. I use those Fly machines with moderate weight and it seems to help.

 

[HeatherP]

carpal tunnel starting in right hand...dropping brushes ...i get active release therapy every few months and they break up the scar tissue and i wear a brace at night and try to cut with my left hand more often

 

[johnthepainter]

tendonitis in my elbow from powerwashing

need adjustments to my neck from overhead work

lower back has been a problem for 20 years,,,,,but i have learned techniques to deal with it better.

rotator cuff has finally healed,,,(8 months),,that required some learning, and some work

the older i get, the more i appreciate the younger guys on my crew.

 

[ParagonVA]

I suffer from knee, back, and neck aches. For the knees, I wear volleyball style knee pads all day long- they will shape to your knee a lot easier than those harder types they sell at the Depot.

I try to get massages and soak in a hot tub otherwise. Got a new expensive mattress, but that seemed to worsen my aches, WTF?

Truly, the only thing that helps is the constant mental feeling that I own my own business and can rest pretty much whenever I want. I just keep telling myself, "finish this job and take it easy the next day or over the weekend. You'll get better". It's that or hire a full time masseuse :blink:

 

[tsunamicontract]

yes.
tennis elbow, golf elbow, and something else in both arms. low back and neck pain. planterfasciatis in both feet. and not a lot of money in the bank.