Arborist Ergonomics

There seems to be a great interest in Arborist Ergonomics these days and ways to work more efficiently and safely.

I think what we need is a book written by an arborist and physical therapist that deals specifically with the climbers body and how to maintain it for working longer than 5 years in this trade.

Paolo, Dee and I have discussed this before. I'm not trying to pressure anyone into rushing out and printing a book.

What I think would be a great idea is if we could submit our personnal stories on injuries sustained while doing tree work (and while training inside and out of the gym), then explain what each of us did to return safely back to work.

I know that there are alot of us out there with great training routines ( I didn't know that Tim was a martail artist) and great stories to tell. I would gladly tell some of mine.

Our industry is lacking in the personnal side of things when it comes to it's workers. There are a ton of books out there about loggers, but very few about about climbers.

Gerry Beranek and Don Blair both have some great books. I especially like the way they weave their stories on real life workers while still teaching you about Arborist Equipment and the climers themselves.

Maybe this should be the start for another thread. What do you guys (and gals) think?
 
Lazarus2,

You are absolutely correct, and I apologize for posting these in haste, there were several folks that requested them following my talk at TCI in Hartford. I should have taken the time to post this with them.

These stretches are intended to be preventative ONLY. They are not for rehabilitative use. If you have suffered an injury or have chronic pain do not perform these stretches without consulting with a licensed medical professional. The posted stretches are intended for the healthy, production arborist to prevent soft tissue deformation that occurs from repetitive work positioning.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider:
1. Before starting any new treatment;
2. On any questions regarding a medical condition; and
3. For specific advice tailored to your situation.

Again my apologizes.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Lazarus2,

You are absolutely correct, and I apologize for posting these in haste, there were several folks that requested them following my talk at TCI in Hartford. I should have taken the time to post this with them.

These stretches are intended to be preventative ONLY. They are not for rehabilitative use. If you have suffered an injury or have chronic pain do not perform these stretches without consulting with a licensed medical professional. The posted stretches are intended for the healthy, production arborist to prevent soft tissue deformation that occurs from repetitive work positioning.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider:
1. Before starting any new treatment;
2. On any questions regarding a medical condition; and
3. For specific advice tailored to your situation.

Again my apologizes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, Tree-Teach....good stuff. Now that you presented your caveats so that folks don't go ahead and wreck themselves by stretching wrong, too much or even considering it, I'll post a link to some "Tree Climbing Warmups and Stretches" I do...not all of them everytime but this is a compendium of some of them.

I appreciate you reaching out to your brother and sister climbers and passing along something that has helped you. I am doing the same...your caveats apply for my post, too.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1762502947645229113&hl=en

If someone decides to try these just be reasonable and go lightly as you learn what your body needs and how it responds. I taught these to some of the Tree Rendezvous folks at the 2006 Rendezvous...this is only the visuals. They are from a Burmese yoga system and need to be properly explained to be utilized fully. Those of you with a yoga background will recognize some of it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Lazarus2,

You are absolutely correct, and I apologize for posting these in haste, there were several folks that requested them following my talk at TCI in Hartford. I should have taken the time to post this with them.

These stretches are intended to be preventative ONLY. They are not for rehabilitative use. If you have suffered an injury or have chronic pain do not perform these stretches without consulting with a licensed medical professional. The posted stretches are intended for the healthy, production arborist to prevent soft tissue deformation that occurs from repetitive work positioning.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider:
1. Before starting any new treatment;
2. On any questions regarding a medical condition; and
3. For specific advice tailored to your situation.

Again my apologizes.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wasn't looking for an apology Tree Teacher - I only hoped the caveats would be explained to others that may not appreciate them; thanks for the further explanation. .

If we think carefully about how we apply ourselves to daily tasks (not just climbing), the chance of injury is greatly reduced. This is the primary goal of Arborist Ergonomics; bio-mechanically efficient tools and techniques used hand in hand, for routine work to reduce routine injury.

Preventative and rehabilitative exercises are a very important part of the process, but difficult to make effective wholesale due to the need for individual expert guidance. And finding a suitable guide is difficult.

Hi Chris. I have been asked several times over the years for a book like that - individuals and book stores. And covering the practical techniques to reduce risks at the same time as explaining the injuries is the right approach, I feel.

Dee and I have the material and solutions (and stories!) for sure. We have been summoned to the ivory towers for guidance on the issue of ergonomics. Maybe funding will become available soon?

Then it would just become an issue of time....
 
[ QUOTE ]

I think what we need is a book written by an arborist and physical therapist that deals specifically with the climbers body and how to maintain it for working longer than 5 years in this trade.


[/ QUOTE ]

I wonder if I could get that past as a graduates project. Be something interesting and useful.
Maybe someday.
 
Thought that I'd revive this thread since I couldn't attend the Expo and hear Tree Teacher and his sister talk about Arborist Ergonomics.

What's new in research and training for MSD's? Has anyone been doing more studies on specific ways for arborists to prevent these injuries?

I hope to be able to attend Tree Teacher and C.O.R.'s class in March on this topic.

Paolo, have you and Devina been working on anything new lately? I hope you haven't had anymore injuries this year.

Besides my elbow issue, my my left rhomboid area has been acting up, and I'm looking for specific exercises that will help with the healing.

Stay healthy everyone! MSD's are no joke.
 
There was an article on NPR today about noise and concentration. One of the issues that was mentioned was that as the ambient noise level goes up the attention to detail of the people goes down. The person being interviewed does research for the Navy in some capacity. The interview took place in a sports bar to emphasize audible and visual overload.

Does noise fall under ergonomics? It certainly seems like it should.
 
What?
grin.gif
 
We will be running a workshop on Arborist Ergonomics at the University of Massachusetts, in the spring of 2009. It will probably be around March some time, I will have a solid idea of the date soon, and update for those interested.

Take care

In Good Health
EC
 
Hi Chris

Some of the fundamentals for holistic avoidance of ergonomic injury have been known for the best part of 100 years, and were heavily relied on in work that resulted in the Nobel prize for medicine.

This has been part of Davina's work for 28 years. Almost every quarter in sports injury bulletin, some 'new' concept is promoted that Dee has been practicing for years. One method was featured in a national paper recently as being proved yet again by scientific study. Yet few have the expertise to effectively apply it.

We gave it a lot of thought, and now believe that large attendance courses are not really effective at rehabilitating or preventing person specific arboricultural work injuries. Our courses are limited to 6 people, and we only run them on demand in our area. More usuaully, Dee teaches 1:1 for one hour a week with local Arbs, the same as all her clients. We would like to do presentations though on the fundamentals of the science and art of avoiding Arborist MSDs.

The point is that both Davina and myself have long established businesses that see us out in the field making a difference in our respective fields on a daily basis. In Dee's case she is out the door by 0500 and rarely home before 1930. Thats the nature of a carer. Her clients really need her, and there is no time to promote our findings to help Arborists.

From what we have seen and read, CORE's approach is not the same as ours when it comes to preventing Arborist MSDs. Ours is based on efficient 'Use' - in this case in a specific field of Arboricultural operations. This work goes well beyond the standard model of physiotherapy, if the same injuries are to be prevented.

I have a copy of a great book that explains some of these fundamental concepts of efficient use of the human bio-mechanical system.

At present the best I can do is to send it to you for the new year, with notes on how it applies to Arborists.
smile.gif
 
I have taken martial arts for over twenty one years!! I spent the first two thirds of my career in hard styles.Several years ago I found Tai Chi!! this changes everything.
I played football,Fifteen years of throwing,locking and getting thrown,In Hap ki do,twenty four years of tree work (before knuckle booms buckets and slow feed chippers) 8 years playing in a street hockey league,and other misc body abuses. I suffer from chronic back pain and other over all body pain. What I can share with you is this: A very good system of Tai chi has change the way my body moves and works.I understand myself,my energy,and how my body works much better!! It has caused me to change the way I do certain tasks in our industry that I had been doing the same for years. And i continue to evaluate movements and change them as I grow in awareness!! It is extremely cool, and has also helped to dramatically stabilize my back,I actually have some days now with little or no pain.Before tai chi this was unheard of!!
Taitree is not just my pseudonym,it is how i do tree work!!!
www.mastersonskungfu.com www.silvertigertaichi.com
 
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At present the best I can do is to send it to you for the new year, with notes on how it applies to Arborists.
smile.gif


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Hi Paolo, its great to hear from you. I would love to purchase the book from you but please let me pay for it.

Just let me know what info you need from me. I really appreciate it.

Sounds like you and Dee are both really busy. That's great in these tough times. Just make sure you leave time to use those ice axes of yours this winter!

Thanks
Chris
 
Hello Chris,

I just wanted to give you a heads up that we will be running another Arborist Ergonomics course at the University of Massachusetts on Saturday March 28th and Sunday March 29th.

We tried to keep it to the weekends as most folks are gearing up for the spring time rush.

There will be some great hands on education and application of techniques both on the ground and in the air.

I hope to see you there,

Take Care,

In Good Health

EC
 
so where does nutrition fit in to ergonomics or doesnt it. If you dont eat properly your body wont be able to recover as quick or might be out of balance to begin with. I think it is a total package. If I am in the greatest shape but hung over and not hydrated properly it will lead to injuries or atleast more wear and tear.

Maybe this isnt for here but what do you think?
 
Hello Mark,

You are absolutely right when it comes to nutrition. You can't have a high performance race car if you run it on watered down gas or sludge.

In all our workshops we talk about the importance of proper hydration and nutrition. We don't get super in depth into the nutrition as neither my sister nor I are nutritionists, however there are some key points we do discuss. Nutrition also has a lot to due with life style, and training goals.
Like anything moderation is key.

In Good Health
EC
 
Any recommendations or feedback about stretches to help alleviate 'pins & needles' sensations in your hands at the end of a day of climbing?
 
First off, make sure the anti-vibrations mounts on your saw aren't broken.

For stretching, I would refer to Bob Anderson's classic book on stretching and find specific ones in there that will help the hands and wrists.
 
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