I'm curious if anyone has experienced shoulder injury from pounding hubs and swinging machetes day in day out. For six months the muscles behind my scapula are frequently knotted up, occasionally pinching a nerve.The use of a mouse all day drafting exacerbates the condition if I don't rest my elbow. Chiropractor has helped but one swing of a 4 lb. hammer on a frost pin can mean days of muscle spasms.
I truly dislike those times when I do a specific survey connected chore that overworks certain muscles such that when I grab my pen to write some notes it is next to impossible to do so in a way that will be understandable, even to me, the next day.
Yes, I said pen. I quit using pencils many, many years ago. I also use only pens when doing crossword puzzles and sudokus.
Williwaw, post: 421399, member: 7066 wrote: I'm curious if anyone has experienced shoulder injury from pounding hubs and swinging machetes day in day out. For six months the muscles behind my scapula are frequently knotted up, occasionally pinching a nerve.The use of a mouse all day drafting exacerbates the condition if I don't rest my elbow. Chiropractor has helped but one swing of a 4 lb. hammer on a frost pin can mean days of muscle spasms.
Sharp pains under the scapula can be referred from the neck. Try a warm towel across the back of your neck and a few slow, long (20 seconds or so) head turns. If that gives relief the shoulder is likely fine.
My shoulder did the same thing until i got a titanium neck. I got complete relief until the shoulder really did come completely apart. That was a different pain...
thebionicman, post: 421418, member: 8136 wrote: My shoulder did the same thing until i got a titanium neck.
I bet I'm not the only one who'd be interested in hearing the story of your journey to bionic status. There must be quite a tale there.
Adam, post: 421182, member: 8900 wrote: What do you use for Greenbriars? We have an abundant supply around here. Machete or bushaxe works the best for them. I would like to try out the loppers but can't see them getting me thru a briar thicket.
Anything you cut with machete you can cut with loppers. The strategy is different, you crawl underneath and clip it off at the base rather than mowing with a machete. I have a coworker that can mow with loppers (standard) as fast as you can mow with a machete.
Cutting briars is an art. As mentioned above the trick is to get them close to the ground. You can then "drape" them to the left and right and continue on up line. However if you have the time it is fun to stand and watch (at a safe distance) somebody swing a machete chest high at briars and get nowhere fast.
Nothing quite says a guy doesn't like to cut low like a path of sharpened crotch high punji sticks. A good argument can be made for using loppers if only because the stump isn't cut through at an angle that will potentially cause someone to be impailed if they trip.
Fredh, post: 421122, member: 12570 wrote: Perhaps its age catching up with me or just out of practice from the long winter, but my forearm by the elbow was killing me today while chopping line; pins and needles kind of thing.
Was thinking about picking up one of those neoprene elbow braces.
Anyone use one and have a recommendation on brand or type. Thanks.
I had the same thing a few years back and my chiropractor said it was "tennis elbow" and was able to do some adjustment for it. It went away fairly quickly and hasn't come back.
What Dave said about the loppers sounds right. Right tool for the job. Probably every region has it's different type of flora, and what might work well in one region, doesn't work as well in another. If I had to cut hardwood limbs with sparse undergrowth, I would choose loppers over a machette.
The line we cut in SE Texas resembles This Photo where a machette works better. You would be there forever cutting Yaupon and vines and briar with a pair of loppers.
Cutting line low is a helpful practice, well started is well finished and all. If you cut a thousand feet of line, and it's harder to walk the line back than it was to cut it in the first place, you're doing it wrong.
dms330, post: 421374, member: 2118 wrote: Unfortunately using a computer mouse also tweaks the same area
Sitting at a desk all day screws my back up worse than anything. I'd rather be outside with a sore foot and elbow than be sitting inside all hunched over after staring at a computer screen for months.
thebionicman, post: 421181, member: 8136 wrote: There are dozens of afflictions that can effect elbows and cause the tingles. A good doctor can figure out which one it is in minutes. Some of them can be relieved with a simple strap. Others cause permanent nerve damage in just hours of neglect.
I earned my nickname the hard way. 99 percent you get a 6 dollar strap and take it easy for a bit. That other 1 percent hurts in ways you dont want to deal with. Getting old aint so bad, but i suggest starting as late as possible. See a doc...
I have one of those in my left Elbow. It is a pinched nerve similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. But different symptoms, the outside third of my left hand tingles and has about 50% of its natural feeling, both pain and otherwise. Still have basic strength and use. Been that way without any change for about 15 years.
Stephen Johnson, post: 421839, member: 53 wrote: I have one of those in my left Elbow. It is a pinched nerve similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. But different symptoms, the outside third of my left hand tingles and has about 50% of its natural feeling, both pain and otherwise. Still have basic strength and use. Been that way without any change for about 15 years.
Ulnar nerve decompression is a common procedure these days. See a good Neuro guy.
I spent a couple of years working for the BLM breaking down sections on the west coast. Really got good with a machete. Now after 35 years running my own business in the Portland, OR area, I usually belt carry a 12" Ontario machete. It is short enough to not get in the way, but works real well for clearing small brush and tree limbs. If the brush is pretty thick I'll carry a 18" Ontario machete. If brush is "really" thick, and the terrain steep, I'll let another surveyor have that job.
No more swinging my Collin's machete. In the office full time now.
My joints were wearing out.
2008 : left hip replaced
2014 : right hip replaced
2015: right shoulder replaced
2016 : lower back surgery : x-rays looked just like my joints, arthritic
2007 : right shoulder will be replaced, this Friday, April 7.
