View Larger Image Just as you prepare your clay to be molded, shaped, and thrown, you also need to prepare your body in order to prevent pain in your neck, shoulders, elbows, and especially your wrists and hands.

July 24, 2007

Beating the Aches and Pains of Pottery

by Ceramic Arts Daily | Read Comments (0)

If you love throwing pots, you know the satisfaction that comes from creating something from the heart. There's a real sense of accomplishment after you take the pot off the wheel and it's been glazed, and you put it on the shelf with your other works. However, being at the pottery wheel can also lead to PAIN!

The long hours spent hunched over the workbench and wheel as well as any time spent extending (bending your head back) can lead to neck strain. This causes headaches and muscle aches in the neck and shoulders. So what do you do? Well, first, recognize that this is going to happen if you don't take frequent breaks, particularly if you hold your head in one position for a long time. It's a good idea to stretch before and after your pottery sessions.

Just as you prepare your clay to be molded, shaped, and thrown, you also need to prepare your body in order to prevent pain in your neck, shoulders, elbows, and especially your wrists and hands, also known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

What can you do to prolong your time at the wheel?
There are several things you can do to ensure that pottery doesn't become the proverbial pain in the neck for you. Before and during your time at the wheel, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position. In addition, warm up your hands before you start working for the day--you wouldn't consider jogging for eight hours without warming up your legs, would you? Also, establishing an exercise routine to strengthen your wrists, hands and other parts of your body may greatly decrease your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and other ailments.

The hardest part of an exercise routine is getting started. Once you've established a regular pattern of exercise, you'll find yourself following it. So, how do you get started? Well, first of all, consult your doctor. Your doctor can recommend the specific kinds of exercise for your own individual needs, including walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, jumping rope, and roller skating. Generally, however, the following guidelines should get you going.

1. First of all, exercise will only become a habit if it's fun! Pick something you will enjoy doing. If you like being with a group of people, try a team sport like basketball or soccer. You don't have to be a super athlete. Anyone can exercise. Social activities like dancing and mall-walking are also good. If you're more of a loner, try bicycling, running, swimming or walking.
2. Don't kid yourself. Be honest about what you realistically think you can do. If you have always hated to climb stairs, step aerobics probably isn't for you. Maybe a walk around the neighborhood would be more pleasant. Many people today are walking toward fitness.
3. Consider your current state of physical fitness. If you haven't exercised in years, you'll definitely want to start with some modest activities. As your body becomes adjusted to the new routine, you can increase your activity.
4. Consider your schedule. Are you a morning person? Then plan to exercise in the morning. If you're addicted to your snooze button, plan to exercise in the evening. Start with just a small block of time, maybe fifteen minutes. As you get into your routine, you probably won't mind increasing to twenty, and then thirty, minutes. In order to be effective, you'll need to repeat your exercise routine 3 or 4 times per week.

Remember: The hardest part of exercising is getting started. Take it slowly at first in order to allow your body the time to adjust to your new activity level. Once you've established a regular pattern of exercise, you'll find yourself following it. And once you start following it, you may just find yourself in your studio complaining less of the aches and pains of pottery and more of its joy and exhilaration.

Coming Wednesday: Although exercising sounds like a lot of time spent away from the clay, as you'll read next issue, it can actually help you extend and enjoy the time you spend doing pottery. Next time we'll take a look at your options for squeezing in a bit of exercise in your busy schedule.