Badger brush carpal tunnel?

[rdangelo]

I have noticed during weeks where I use the brush a lot, especially with soaps that take more elbow grease, that my wrist kills and I have gotten neuralgia episodes in the tendons leading to my right middle finger. Terrible, searing pain if I am holding something and band the back of my hand.

Anyone know of carpal tunnel syndrome from using a shaving brush?

Thanks!

 

[The Nid Hog]

Do you have similar problems when you're not wetshaving?

 

[rdangelo]

It doesn't hurt when I'm using the brush. But my wrist gets sore afterwards sometimes for a few hours. If I lay off the brush for a couple days, I notice it less. It's the only behavior I've changed in the last two years. I type the same, play trumpet with the right hand the same, etc. Now I've started to make sure I keep my wrist straight when I use the brush.

 

[nav]

I can relate. My right wrist, the one I use to load the brush and face lather with, has become "weaker" over the last couple of years. It starts to hurt at times when I load on top of the puck. I give it a slight rest by using shave sticks which don't require the time to load the brush, I find it helps.

 

[RfD Dallas]

I have carpal in my left hand and I'm also left handed. I wear a wrist splint at night so I don't bend my wrist and that prevents the throbbing pain that seems to want to burst out of your fingertips. I'm trying to avoid surgery since there's no guarantee it will work nor do I want my to go through the recuperation/therapy period. I haven't had any problems using a brush, DE or straight.

If that the only time it bothers you, consider yourself lucky. Try using the other hand.

 

[Malaspina]

Any repetitive movement can bring on carpal tunnel syndrome. That is so sad that your shaving is bringing it on.....

 

[RF1963]

Perhaps you're gripping the brush handle too tightly. I loosened my grip and noticed an immediate improvement in the pain.

 

[cegadede]

Well, now there is a use for the motorized brush AOS sells!

One other thing you might want to try (and it's a lot cheaper than a motorized brush) is a poweball (http://www.powerballs.com/) it really helps strengthen the arms muscles so you don't get carpal tunel, tendenitis, etc. I've had such pains from typing and got better by using it (plus you get popeye arms from using it ).

 

[media]

Take it easy on the soap man. I dont even use my wrist with the brush, its more like I am using my arm.

This shouldnt be any worse than brushing your teeth.

That power brush looks like it should have been made 80 years ago and have "Doctor recommended!" on the packaging.

 

[ouch]

Perhaps we can start a class action suit-


Badger and Blade v. Simpson, Rooney, Plisson et al.

 

[dpm802]

Some brush handles are more ergonomic than others, and there are different ways to hold any given handle ... try using a different grip on the brush, or shift it to your other hand.

Even though you might be experiencing pain with it now, there's no reason why it has to continue.

 

[Bestarrkin]

We need a veteran barber and a doctor to discuss this in a proper way. I use my arm more than my wrist actually during my shaving and other activities. I think there should be a handbook for shaving ergonomics and haptic issues.

P.S. I am sorry for using technical terms. I am just an engineer.

 

[rajagra]

Even if working the shaving brush is triggering the pain, it may not be the actual cause. When you type, do you rest your wrist on anything (while pressing the keys.) You really shouldn't.

Do you have the keyboard *properly* centred - i.e. with the GH keys right in the middle. Most people position the keyboard badly because of the numeric keypad. Even if you position the keyboard properly, you then have the problem of having to stretch for the mouse. You can fix that by using the mouse with the left hand, or buying a "tenkeyless" keyboard (no number pad.)

 

[FL shaver]

Even if working the shaving brush is triggering the pain, it may not be the actual cause. When you type, do you rest your wrist on anything (while pressing the keys.) You really shouldn't.

Pretty much my thoughts. He mentioned a couple of activities that could cause inflammation of, or decreased blood flow to, the structures in the carpal tunnel. Once you get the inflammation in such a tight spot, a seemingly innocuous activity (lathering Williams!?) can aggravate the symptoms of a compressed median nerve: pain, numbness and tingling, loss of sensation and strength to those areas supplied by the median nerve. If the symptoms are bad enough, consider an alternative to the brush for awhile, or use a splint while lathering. Examine all of the other activities that could be causing this overuse injury.

 

[Matt S]

I get some pain/weakness in my wrist while creating a lather, but I would never blame it on shaving. The time I spend using a shaving brush pales in comparison to the hours spent typing or using a mouse.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Maybe switching to face lather, you need much less wrist action than creating lather in a bowl. Check your handle and how you hold it.

 

[Pkrankow]

If it is a strength issue doing wrist curls and forearm flex (opposite movements) with light weights may be helpful. I injured my wrists in high school, and those two excercises make the difference between my functioning well, and having daily pain. I am using 5# weights, but I started with 12 oz soup cans. When I was lifting regularly I was using heavier weights.

Consult a physician if you do not have improvement soon.

Phil

 

[instpasr]

maybe hire in a personal lather trainer to make sure your on the right track with your grip and technique. I think everyone has covered it well enough, check your grip, strengthen your forearm and failing that get a checkup.

 

[Le Buzz]

Absolutely... my wrist gets tired and tight after swirling for more than 1 minute.

What I do is instead of swirling I just go back and forth in a straight motion instead of circular, and use my whole arm instead of just my wrist. Gets me great lather.