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Anyone used the Powerball for RSI treatment / prevention?

Health: I was considering investing in a Powerball, as these claim to have rehabilitative qualities, help prevent RSI and build strength. Has anyone used them and what do they think?

From Nick Dobson
Posted September 26, 2008 at 04:39 PM

I've recently returned to serious practice on the violin after a long absence, but having suffered various tendon/ nerve/ RSI type injuries over the years to my wrists, forearms and shoulder I'm concerned about my health disrupting this, and trying to identify steps I can take to reduce the likelihood of problems occuring.

I was considering investing in a Powerball, as these claim to have rehabilitative qualities, help prevent RSI and build strength. Has anyone used them and what do they think?

From Ron Gorthuis
Posted on September 27, 2008 at 07:19 AM

The Powerball of today is the same as a toy on the market in 1970, only with better cosmetics. It was fun to use, but I never noticed any health benefits. I'm not an expert on RSI, but I can't see how a gyro force could alleviate RSI.

From Mili Leitner
Posted on September 27, 2008 at 07:42 PM

I used one after getting a minor elbow tendon problem and don't think it helped much with mending it, as it's a fairly hardcore exercise for rehabilitation purposes (well, for me anyway). However it does seem to strengthen your tendons/muscles/whatever in general just like any other specific exercise would, over time, since I started using it I have had no more problems. And it's quite fun, relatively speaking...

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on September 30, 2008 at 03:50 AM

Greetings,
two other options:
tae a sheet of newspaper. Place the hand in the middle then using only the one hand scrunch it up into a ball. (Used in rehabilitation)
Allocate part of your day to crawling rather than walking. Strengthens th ewhole body as well as tremendous hand and arm benifits. Internal organs grateful too. People will think yu have severe mental problems so just mention my name and they will nod sagely while sighing.
Cheers,
Buri

From Christopher Payne
Posted on September 30, 2008 at 03:54 AM

Haven't used one but I do use flextend: www.flextend.net
As a CT sufferer this has saved me. I've also used the catspaw: www.catspaw.com which is cheaper and still fairly effective as is a rubber band around your fingers, stretching outwards.

From Nick Dobson
Posted on October 1, 2008 at 03:03 PM

Thanks for the comments - and the other tips (which I'll follow up on). I thought the Powerball might have been oversold - still, might give it a go, you can pick them up fairly cheaply on magic ebay.

From Nick Dobson
Posted on October 24, 2008 at 03:11 PM

For what it's worth, the doctor / physician I consulted about mild symptoms of CTS and preventative measures didn't think the Powerball would be much good.

Also: I've built the paper-scrunching exercise into my practices as well as stretching the fingers out as part of my warm ups and calibrate my practice amount to how I feel (but don't exceed 1.5 hours daily yet) and the achy / swollen feeling has subsided.

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