[markpowell]

Does anyone else get aches or pains in their fingers or thumb, operating the wand or hand tool?
Mark

[Ian Rochester]

Yes

[Dennis]

Always have, especially when really busy.

[lands]

Yep. Get it most on those long haul commercial jobs as I don't take frequent enough brakes.

[Straker Cleaning]

Used to have aches, due to broken bones in hands when younger ......... not sure how 

Worst cause was when using upholstery tool ........... now using Drimaster and can use that all day without grief   

[sherco]

You guys need to be careful with this, it sounds like it could be white finger i know all about this as i had years working in forestry buisness and health and safety kept going on about this. the vibration of the machine could damage the nerve ending in your fingers and you could lose your fingers if it gets to bad, wearing gloves stops this. So be careful

[Joe H]

As Sherco says.
On longer jobs I often wear gloves for comfort but also protection.

[Phillip Mold]

My Right hand ring finger does notgo straight when I release my fingers from a fist, and have a permanent numb patch on the side of the nuckle next to the thumb, never had this before carpet cleaning

[lands]

Sherco

VWF (vibration white finger) is more normally caused by the use of heavy duty equipment like breakers and gloves do not stop it. The HSE has guidelines on the periods of use that are within a safe range. It's all about taking lots of breaks but I can't see the vibration of the machine causing this, more likely to cause arthritis than anything else.

Pete

[Ian Rochester]

Often get my "trigger" finger cramping up on long jobs, used to be especially bad when dragging a scrubba deluxe along with only two fingers!!

[sherco]

Any machine you get vibration from can cause this we where told by hse. So im sticking to wearing gloves.

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

Try cod liver oil tablets, they work wonders for me!!

[brian willis]

yes cannot open my finger on my right hand some mornings

bri

[lands]

Sorry Sherco did'nt mean to imply gloves are useless but they only help to a degree my main concern here would be how hot your hands would get. These sorts of RSI (which is a more accurate descrition) can be helped by warming up and warming down (much like any professional athlete would to avoid strains). Cod liver oil will also help. As will drinking lots of water.

Pete

[markpowell]

Cheers guys for your replies started getting pains in december for first time in 8 years, then had 2 week off at xmas and all seemed to be fine now its back with a vengence, think i will try cod liver oil capsules and wear gloves.
Mark

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

cod liver oil capsules arent the be all and end all but at the ripe old age of 36 they deff make a difference to me!! Give them about  2 weeks before you start noticing a difference. And at only £4 per 180 (at one per day) its got to be worth it!

Little things make all the difference, at least thats what my girlfriend tells me!

[mark shannon]

Try STRETCHING AND BENDING YOUR FINGERS THE OPPOSITE WAY AT REGULAR INTERVALS OR AT LEAST AT THE END OF THE DAY

[Joe H]

If its related to the trigger finger(s) perhaps a bit of foam around the trigger may help?

[M.Acorn]

All the time especially when it`s cold .Jesus i am only 37 what`s it going to be like when i get older ? good to know that your all suffering from it too.Usually find smacking my shin with the machine or dropping it while trying to catch the heat + run while going upstairs is also painful must ratchet tie that bloody thing on been saying that for 4 years !

[Straker Cleaning]

Lots of opening and closing of fingers will keep movement and circulation going ......... luckily the fist clenching involved in London driving, seems to have cured mine