Woa, dunno if this’ll help but here goes - some stuff from my old IH days. Occupational health standards (TLV's) exist for hand/ arm vibration (HAVS) in most western jurisdictions. There is tons of information on the web about this stuff.
An example can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/83-110/
Diet and stretching may help but for the most part these types of injuries are actually physical ones - to the blood vessels, to the nerves or to the tendons and tendon sheaths.
So reduction or elimination of some of the vibration will go a long way to prevention of these types of injury. Why wait for symptoms - start to take care now!
1) Where possible, choose lower vibration tools - have a look at the vibration specs for the saws/ grinders you use or are going to purchase - just like noise standards, manufacturers do test equipment for vibration (required in Europe). And are you sure you want to use that chainsaw powerhead powered stump grinder for hours rather than a big one that has remote controls? Plan to reduce the wear and tear on your body over time. It all adds up (vibration damage is cumulative)
2) Try using electric/ battery saw/ tools where possible - these generally have less vibration
3) Always wear gloves*** see below
4) Consider taping up before work - a sports physio can probably show you how to do this
5) Keep hands dry and warm and try not to cut above your head or work with your arms raised for extended periods - as has been mentioned above, cutting with a more neutral body position rather than at weird angles will help prevent strains and pulls. Two handed saw use also distributes the load a bit more - another reason not to single hand.
6) Maybe try using the “hardwood” file guide for rakers rather than the “softwood” side to give you a less aggressive cut/ less vibration?
I can vouch for the MSM and ibuprofen (old soccer referees prayer at 4 day tournaments - “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ibuprofen”) but long term use of any NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) aren’t really that great for your kidney function way down the road - they still are drugs. And NSAIDS shouldn’t be combined with alcohol or other drugs such as blood pressure medications ’n stuff. Alcohol and smoking can both affect the peripheral flow of blood to the fingers and toes so hold off on these, esp. when working in cold weather.
If you do trash a tendon sheath or start to have a bunch of pain at night and stiffness in the morning - see a doctor, preferably an occupational health doctor - they’re apt to be more familiar with ergonomics types of injuries than your family GP. And physio can help wonders in recovery.
*** The international standard ISO 10819 for reduced vibration gloves (called “A/V or Anti- Vibration gloves”) was introduced in 1996. Only full-finger protected gloves are tested since HAVS always begins at the finger tips and moves towards the palm. Finger exposed gloves are not recommended. Gloves which meet or exceed ISO 10819 are recommended, but using certified A/V gloves alone will not solve the HAV problem.
can’t beat the UK HSE stuff, I think:
http: //
www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/yourhands.htm
and
for more than you’ll ever want to know about this stuff:
https: //
www.acgih.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/hand-arm-vibration-tlv-r-physical-agents-7th-edition-documentation
