Numb Hands.......?

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

I've recently been told that a lot of turners get numb hands after a turning session, specifically the next morning when they wake up.

I've not done a lot of turning, but I've not had this experiance. As there is a large group of turners here, from all ages and even both genders, I'd be really interested to hear if anyone has had this problem and what they have done to overcome it, if anything.

Cheers!

[John Hart]

A couple years ago, I got injured with a pinched nerve in my neck that numbed my arms and hands. It still flares up from time to time....Like a couple weeks ago. I found that it actually goes away when I Turn. Vortexatherapy??

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Being an absolute rookie....numb hands are not a problem yet.............empty billfold.........now that's another problem........don't start a poll on that!

[Tom Jones III]

Yes, but only from a sensitivity to mesquite. I tried mesquite again last night (mothers day present) but wearing gloves. I still got just a little numbness in one arm, I think some shavings got inside one glove. Tonight I'll try long sleeves and better gloves.

[Jim Davenport]

Being an absolute rookie....numb hands are not a problem yet.............empty billfold.........now that's another problem........don't start a poll on that!

Boy, that's one of the great truths of life.

Getting back on subject. I have "Osteoarthritis" in my fingers, and have to take Mobic for it. I guess my body is cashing the checks i wrote when I was young. I was in the Navy, and I spent long hours inside damp boilers, welding, grinding, etc.
If I turn for an extended period the vibration aggravates my finger joints.
So I turn for a bit, have a cup of coffee, and admire the fact the bowl is still in the chuck (most of the time)
Then turn a little more. Sharpen my tools, turn a little more, and so forth.

[Mike Ramsey]

I have some problems with my hands from nerve damage to my
neck, but as John says turning actually helps, except this
morning I woke up and I was complaining to my wife about
my hands hurting and she responded No Wonder! You turned
3 bowls & a hollow form in your sleep last night! .

[Curt Fuller]

So I turn for a bit, have a cup of coffee, and admire the fact the bowl is still in the chuck (most of the time)
Then turn a little more. Sharpen my tools, turn a little more, and so forth.

I shouldn't read things like that when I'm getting ready to walk out the door and head to work. Makes me want to call in sick, maybe tell them I have to go in for an emergency woodenectomy. I guess I could tell them I have a bad case of numb hands too. But they'd think it was progressing from my already serious case of numb skull.

I don't get numb hands very often but have had them get stiff and sore after turning when it's cold in the garage.

[Jim Becker]

I used to have a problem after turning hollow forms with hand-held tools, but it all went away when I went to the captive system. (Jamison in my case) Since taking David Ellsworth's three day course, I don't put a "death grip" on my gouge, either, when turning bowls and the outsides of vessels, so no problems there, either.

It's how you hold 'em that makes a difference...

[Andy Hoyt]

My hands, my feet, and my head are numb just about all the time. Hands and feet feel better once I fire up the lathe. Have yet to find anything that will improve the condition upstairs.

[Keith Burns]

Interesting question Stu. Never really thought about it until now. I have Carpel Tunnel and my hands stay numb (asleep) most of the time. After 5 minutes on the computer pushing the mouse around my hands numb. Go to bed had hands go numb. I've just learned to "suck it up". Now when I turn, you would think it would be bad, but after you made me think about it, it actually improves. Theraputic, I guess. Anyway thats what I'm going to start telling my wife. You know, Doctors orders.............

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

My hands, my feet, and my head are numb just about all the time. Hands and feet feel better once I fire up the lathe. Have yet to find anything that will improve the condition upstairs.

I thought double fudge, raspberry, triple cream, Kahlua, with nuts would just about clear any head...?

[John Hart]

Interesting question Stu. Never really thought about it until now. I have Carpel Tunnel and my hands stay numb (asleep) most of the time. After 5 minutes on the computer pushing the mouse around my hands numb. Go to bed had hands go numb. I've just learned to "suck it up". Now when I turn, you would think it would be bad, but after you made me think about it, it actually improves. Theraputic, I guess. Anyway thats what I'm going to start telling my wife. You know, Doctors orders.............

Have Chris Barton write you a prescription!!!

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Interesting question Stu. Never really thought about it until now. I have Carpel Tunnel and my hands stay numb (asleep) most of the time. After 5 minutes on the computer pushing the mouse around my hands numb. Go to bed had hands go numb. I've just learned to "suck it up". Now when I turn, you would think it would be bad, but after you made me think about it, it actually improves. Theraputic, I guess. Anyway thats what I'm going to start telling my wife. You know, Doctors orders.............

Keith, have you looked at getting the knife work done?

I know some motorcycle racer guys who have had it done, and they say the diff is amazing, they only regret they did not do it sooner.

Cheers!

[Rich Stewart]

Woodenectomy? Sounds painful.

[David Fried]

Nope, no numb hands but when the temperature drops below 40 degrees or so I find the finger on my left hand that is in contact with the cold metal tool rest and holding the metal blade does go numb.

Nothing a hot coffee doesn't cure!