Chainsaw Vibration and Hand/Arm Health
- Thread starter castanea
- Start date
ghostice
Been here a while
I kinda aimed my note above to the chain saw/ hand grinder slant of the business, but I'd have to agree with the last comments that the ergonomics of hand pruners leaves a lot to be desired and really can stress the hands/ tendons. So automating with hydraulic/ electric pruners would help (how come no one has come up with a battery powered hand pruner - at least I haven't ever seen them)? The long snippers are the worst for the hands (mine anyway). I do remember seeing "bent" handles on pliers and other mechanic tools that were supposed to make them more ergonomic. Maybe these exist too in the arborists aresenal.
Hey Nick, maybe ergonomic tools is a category for TreeStuff going ahead? Dunno.
Bending the stem is a great idea.
Another thing I've mentioned in another thread is that from time to time I use Richard Mumford's Wrist Rocket Ascender to pull the cord on the pole pruner cord - I find that esp. with the double pulley heads, it's not a lot of fun to be yanking on these at the end of a long day, plus it's quicker for me anyway.
Cheers
Last edited:
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Here's those gloves. Not really great for ROPE work but if you are hands on big saws they dampen vibes pretty good.
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southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
I've used those gloves. Fine for lots of bucking. Swap gloves for the task, as you would footwear.
I had to go to electric Felcos because of a repetitive motion injury in one of the knuckles of my pruning hand. They’re not cheap but they’re quick and they can take up to about 2”. I wouldn’t be able to do handpruning work without something like that.
Working with regular pruners, if it’s well below freezing the wood is significantly harder to cut. I learned to wait for a warmer day.
Working with regular pruners, if it’s well below freezing the wood is significantly harder to cut. I learned to wait for a warmer day.
Fantastic information from everyone here. Great to see so many forward thinking people.
I'm 32 as well and have noticed increased pain in my right shoulder and forearm in general the last year, and my right hand goes slightly numb in certain situations. I'm taking extra precautions as of last year because I don't want it to get any worse.
Staying consistently hydrated is essential. Don't let yourself get dehydrated at all, be proactive and STAY hydrated rather than wait until you're thirsty. This makes such a huge difference, it's impossible to stress enough.
Most people wait until they're actively thirsty to drink. By then you're usually at the dehydration point and damage has been done.
MSM is also a game changer for me. It dramatically reduces the amount of time I spend feeling sore after a really long day. I take 2 to 4 grams a day, spread between morning and evening.
I'm 32 as well and have noticed increased pain in my right shoulder and forearm in general the last year, and my right hand goes slightly numb in certain situations. I'm taking extra precautions as of last year because I don't want it to get any worse.
Staying consistently hydrated is essential. Don't let yourself get dehydrated at all, be proactive and STAY hydrated rather than wait until you're thirsty. This makes such a huge difference, it's impossible to stress enough.
Most people wait until they're actively thirsty to drink. By then you're usually at the dehydration point and damage has been done.
MSM is also a game changer for me. It dramatically reduces the amount of time I spend feeling sore after a really long day. I take 2 to 4 grams a day, spread between morning and evening.
- Location
- Boise
I used some wrist wraps that i had for lifting weights. Especially doing bucket work. They helped the numbness in my fingers alot. They keep your wrists straight without hurting your mobility. I eventually had orthoscopic carpal tunnel surgery on both hands. That was the best thing i have done! No more elbow pain or numb fingers. It was less than a month to heal and ive never felt better
ghostice
Been here a while
CrossLink to a review of an electric handpruner and discussion:
http:// www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/electric-hand-pruners-expensive-but-worth-it.39938/#post-595274
(just remove the extra spaces)
http:// www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/electric-hand-pruners-expensive-but-worth-it.39938/#post-595274
(just remove the extra spaces)
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
I met a woman that worked for Sees Candy for 18 years yesterday. She held up her left hand and said, retired on disability. Turns out you can disable your hand by cupping a small round paper cup and putting a piece of candy in it repetitively through the years.
The body is an amazing thing. If you know anyone that doesn't want to be slowed down in life by using their bodies look up the concepts of Somatics by Thomas Hanna. Perhaps most easily viewed at essentialsomatics.com by Martha Petersen.
The body is an amazing thing. If you know anyone that doesn't want to be slowed down in life by using their bodies look up the concepts of Somatics by Thomas Hanna. Perhaps most easily viewed at essentialsomatics.com by Martha Petersen.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
To illustrate that point I call it 'bending paper clips'
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