Numb Thumb

Vibration gives nerves and soft tissues a beating. Truck drivers lose a significant amount of disc height in their spines after a few hours of driving, for example. It comes back after a while, but day after day it sets them up for major spinal problems. I'd either grind less so your nerves don't go numb or figure out a way to dampen the vibration into your fingers (neoprene gloves, maybe, or a neoprene pad of some sort?)
 
blgoode said:
Thanks for the help guys. I'll try the old glove trick. I normally wrap my fingers with duct tape anyway.
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Maybe you're wrapping the tape a little to tight. That could be resticting circulation to your fingers. Just a thought.
Scott
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Maybe you're wrapping the tape a little to tight. That could be resticting circulation to your fingers. Just a thought.
Scott
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Yeah see you can tell Brian hasn't played much nintendo... his thumbs would be in prime condition if he had! :D
 
jhiggins said:
Yeah see you can tell Brian hasn't played much nintendo... his thumbs would be in prime condition if he had! :D
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or already numb edited to add>>>from playing nintendo :D
 
Hey!! Its numb from being up my ....sorry Kit ;)

I'll try to make sure that the tape isnt too tight next time.
 
Thumb still numb? Maybe you (I hope not!) developed some tendon and nerve damage. You exibit the symtoms of it. It sounds like tendonitis. You may need an injection of cortosone (sp?). They take this great big needle and, ............................*#!%**&$##! . It's not pleasant, but it may fix you up, if your hand still has the same trouble. I get the injections in my spine. They take this GREAT BIG NEEDLE and big tubes of stuff, and,............................ $#**&$$##*$$$##! while I sit R-E-A-L still and bite the bullet. They will numb your thumb first, if you need an injection.
 
Brian, I use hockey tape or any cloth tape to wrap my finger and thumbs, I got tired of having my knuckles ground off every other day, especially when I took off half of my fingernail and didn't realize it, that stung for a couple of days!:barf:

I wrap them loose and then when I'm cooling off the blade the cloth tape takes in some water too, they usually stay pretty wet helping to avoid the burn/missing knuckles :p

Steve
 
blgoode said:
It not numb any more. Just a hint of it. More concerned about my grind lines :D :D :D
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Well, THAT'S good news! Maybe your hand is just extra sensitive to vibrations. Don't soak it in HT Relish. Ummmm, ABOUT your grind lines,..................................... . Just kidding! They still look good, I'm sure.
 
blgoode said:
I ground the other day for about 5 hrs straight. Ever since them my thumb has been slightly numb. Is this from the vibrations? Will it get worse?
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I'm sure they were kidding, but if you keep grinding, yes it will get worse. Rest the thumb to allow it to recover. Try a different technique such as a push stick, or whatever works. Massage (gently) the thumb to restore circulation. There's only one thumb per side, but an infinite number of push sticks. Your body is telling you something, and it's important to listen.
 
Dam! You mean this is what work is like ;)
THanks for the help guys. I'll try to rest a little in between blades. Yeah right...when you get in the grove its hard to stop. I will try warming up a little before grinding. Just stretching. I used to do that before a gig to practice back in the rokin' days ;)~

KIM- Good to have you here buddy!
 
If you think it feels strange to have numb thumbs, think of what it can be like to have numb forearms and hands. I have to keep gorse cutting down to two tankfulls, which is about 2 hours at a time with the scrubcutter I use to clear the back slopes of the farm. you try holding 40cc of infernal combustion engine for that long :) even with an isolation mounted engine it really batters at your hands and arms. the instruction manual even states to stop using it for an hour or so if you experience pins and needles when you turn it off to refill the tank.
RSI is a pain... in more ways than one.
 
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