Hand-held stabilizer wrist pain, but with non-handle hand? at DVinfo.net

Sean Cramer · April 28th, 2016, 08:43 AM

I'm fully aware of the wrist fatigue that accompanies using a stabilizer (Steadicam Solo in my case) without an arm and vest. But I never expected to have an issue with the hand that's operating at the post near the gimbal. I don't have pain while operating... it's afterwards that I have pain. I have it for example when I put my hand down for support to get off the couch. It's a sprained type of pain. Has anyone else run into this? I'm new to using a stabilizer and have only just begun to practice semi-regularly, and I hope this isn't a sign that operating a Steadicam isn't in the cards for me.

(My first post! Whee!)

Noa Put · April 28th, 2016, 09:03 AM

I had similar problems a few times and had to visit a physiotherapist who cured it, in my case my hand was not the problem but it originated from my neck and shoulders, when you handhold such a stabilizer you apply quite some strain around your neck and shoulders, that can block some nerves that also run to your hands and cause problems, like pain.

Sean Cramer · May 3rd, 2016, 02:01 AM

Thanks, Noa. My guess is that by having to keep that hand/wrist/arm in a constant state of readiness to try to catch any unwanted movement, it's creating a certain type of tension that is causing the issue I'm having. And with the added much greater tension that's in the hand and arm holding the stabilizer, there's a lot of static tension in my upper body that fights against the fluid environment that muscles like to perform in.

Perhaps having a vest and arm will help? Granted, my hand operating at the gimbal will still be doing the same type of thing, but maybe by reducing the strain and tension elsewhere, it will still benefit my body as a whole, including my gimbal hand. Age is likely a factor too. :) When finances allow, we'll see if the vest and arm makes a difference.

April 28th, 2016, 08:43 AM	#1
Sean Cramer Tourist Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 2	Hand-held stabilizer wrist pain, but with non-handle hand? I'm fully aware of the wrist fatigue that accompanies using a stabilizer (Steadicam Solo in my case) without an arm and vest. But I never expected to have an issue with the hand that's operating at the post near the gimbal. I don't have pain while operating... it's afterwards that I have pain. I have it for example when I put my hand down for support to get off the couch. It's a sprained type of pain. Has anyone else run into this? I'm new to using a stabilizer and have only just begun to practice semi-regularly, and I hope this isn't a sign that operating a Steadicam isn't in the cards for me. (My first post! Whee!)

April 28th, 2016, 09:03 AM	#2
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Hand-held stabilizer wrist pain, but with non-handle hand? I had similar problems a few times and had to visit a physiotherapist who cured it, in my case my hand was not the problem but it originated from my neck and shoulders, when you handhold such a stabilizer you apply quite some strain around your neck and shoulders, that can block some nerves that also run to your hands and cause problems, like pain.

May 3rd, 2016, 02:01 AM	#3
Sean Cramer Tourist Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 2	Re: Hand-held stabilizer wrist pain, but with non-handle hand? Thanks, Noa. My guess is that by having to keep that hand/wrist/arm in a constant state of readiness to try to catch any unwanted movement, it's creating a certain type of tension that is causing the issue I'm having. And with the added much greater tension that's in the hand and arm holding the stabilizer, there's a lot of static tension in my upper body that fights against the fluid environment that muscles like to perform in. Perhaps having a vest and arm will help? Granted, my hand operating at the gimbal will still be doing the same type of thing, but maybe by reducing the strain and tension elsewhere, it will still benefit my body as a whole, including my gimbal hand. Age is likely a factor too. :) When finances allow, we'll see if the vest and arm makes a difference.