Leather stamp cramp

[King's X]

Mr. Ben

I appreciate your thorough response and I will take a look at it and compare it to my current relationship with my workstation. Thanks again.

ATX

[Hilly]

I too, have tendon problems. I find that stretching exercises help immensely! A visit with an occupational or physical therapist can help a lot, too. They can show you different ways of using your hands to lessen or avoid the pain.

[gtwister09]

Karl,

Stretching exercises - Rest Periods

Hilly is correct that stretching should always be included as part of the regimen. We can never underestimate something as simple as stretching. Bad on me for overlooking the obvious that generally comes from your doctor. Make sure and don't stretch too far into a point where there is pain. Only you can tell where the stretch and burn positions are because they are different for people. Don't overdo it. Likewise I have to reiterate the rest periods as well. Make sure you take them when you start to feel the burn.

Heating Aids

Likewise some people use cloth gloves to hold heat in order to keep the affected areas warmer. With leather these cloth gloves would always have to be clean if you did use them. I do know of an older lady with arthritis that does this for her leather work. In fact she has went so far as to get some gloves that are thicker and heat them in her stove as she works. Last time I checked she had 6 pair that she swaps out about every 20-30 minutes. She swears by them. I also know of some deburr workers that did this as well with some benefit.

Holding Work

Another item that I thought of last night that could be a contributing factor is holding down your work. Several people have complained of hand cramps because they are trying too hard with downward pressure by the hand to hold their leather down to keep it from walking around and gripping the tool at the same time. Quick fixes for this could either be gluing it down (some use glass or plexiglass) or making some shot bags to hold the leather project stationary. An added benefit of the glue/glass method is that it can help prevent stretch.

Sorry that I didn't mention these earlier. As mentioned before when you try one of these make sure and determine if they had a positive impact. If I think of others I will try to add them in.

Good luck!

Regards,

Ben

[TomSwede]

If you are like me you could probably learn how to stamp both right and left handed to relieve the normal hand a bit. I have to admit I never tried it on leather but I used to play the drums alot when I was younger and even tough it slowed pace down a bit I did manage to drum like a left handed person aswell as playing basic comps with one hand. I also played two bass drums and could switch freely in between them.

Just a thought that struck me.

And just for the fun of it while we're at subject, check out this guy. Michael Angelo Batio and his double guitar action. This dude plays anyway, anyhow and just because.

No fake, dude does this live.

Tom