Article by Chi Hong Wong Graphics by Carl Pedraja
July 7, 2022
Our hands are one of our busiest body parts, thanks to its ability to do many different things. One of the talents our hands have is the ability to make art. Majority of artists use their hands to express themselves using any medium of art that they want. But what if, one day, your hand suddenly would not let you make art? Or even let you do anything at all? What would you do? How will you feel? Remember your answers because such a day is not a “What if?” anymore, it has become a reality.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is a common problem affecting hand function, caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The carpal tunnel is formed by the multiple bones in the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel (Lawrence M. Shuer, MD, FAANS and Thomas J. Wilson, MD, n.d.). This condition causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and forearm. According to Eric H. Williams MD, a medical doctor specializing in reconstructive surgery and pain relief, the professions that have a high risk of being diagnosed with CTS are the following: manufacturing and industrial jobs, construction jobs, beauty industry jobs, restaurant and food service jobs, computer-related jobs, healthcare jobs, and arts and entertainment jobs.
Artists are highly dependent on their hands in making their craft. It is natural for them to use these hands for art daily, and when they do, the chances of overworking their hands are high. This is when CTS might occur and damage the artist’s career. In order to prevent this from happening, artists should stop immediately and rest when they feel any kind of discomfort while making art. They should also learn to include frequent short breaks in the middle of their long working hours. It will also be helpful not to apply too much pressure on their wrist or hand when making art. The Cleveland Clinic from Ohio shared the following preventive measures and suggestions to help people avoid getting CTS: 1. sleeping with your wrists held straight, 2. keeping your wrists straight when using tools. 3. avoiding flexing (curling) and extending your wrists repeatedly, 4. decreasing repetitive/strong grasping with the wrist in a flexed position, 5. taking frequent rest breaks from repetitive activities, 6. performing conditioning and stretching exercises before and after activities, 7. monitoring and properly treating medical conditions linked to carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic workstation changes will also help artists protect their hands while they work for long periods.
As artists, we heavily rely on our hands. Let us learn to protect them and by doing so, our careers will be secured. Now, going back to my question earlier. What will you do if you can never use your hand again? How will you feel? Remember your answers and make a promise to yourself that you will learn to prioritize your well-being and take care of those precious hands of yours. Always remember that longevity is essential in building a successful career. Take care now, and I hope that your hands remain healthy as you become a better version of yourself!
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