THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509220082
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
WHEN VIRGINIA TECH extension specialist Bonnie Appleton started experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, she spent many sleepless nights pacing the floor trying to shake off painful bouts of numbness and tingling hands.
Appleton, who has been a horticulturist for more than 25 years, does a variety of repetitive jobs such as pruning, shoveling and raking. Tasks such as those in which a person performs the same tasks over and over or in which the wrists, arms or shoulders are held in odd positions for lengthy periods can cause repetitive motion injury.
With Appleton, it started with a ``pins and needles'' sensation during sleep. Then, while teaching, she started dropping test tubes on the floor because her hands were so numb she couldn't grasp.
After more than one incidence of broken glass and worried students, doctors recommended immobilizing her wrists with one after another brace that often caused even more pain.
Her worst moment came when an Oklahoma doctor misdiagnosed her problem, telling her she had a pinched nerve in her neck or back. He told her to go hang upside down in a barn. She declined.
Finally last winter, the pain became unbearable just after she'd painted her condo. Suspecting that wrist action required in the painting had something to do with the pain, her doctor listened, tested and confirmed that she was suffering from repetitive motion injuries.
In typical Appleton fashion, she decided something must be done, trying more and more braces to ease the pain. If her wrists bothered her during the day, she'd wear braces to bed.
After dozens of trials, she decided certain braces were helpful, and there seemed to be preventative measures available to help avoid the sometimes recommended surgery or medication.
Now Appleton is careful to warm up for work with stretching exercises and weights to strengthen her ligaments and tendons. She also varies her tasks, limiting repetitions of motions, and she tries to avoid bending, kneeling or stooping for more than two hours a day.
Still, that wasn't enough. Appleton saw a need for pain-preventing horticultural tools, which evolved into the founding of Green Thumb Consultants, based in Virginia Beach.
The company's motto is: ``Horticultural products to keep you feeling good on the job.'' Appleton found that other people had similar problems but seldom talked about them, because they endured the pain to earn a living.
Appleton and her partner searched the globe to find user-friendly horticultural tools. Now they have a line of ergonomically designed tools, which are generally lighter weight, easier to grip, have thumb rests and/or finger contouring and may have different angles for use.
Appleton also offers advice, such as recommending gardeners take care not to put their bodies in unnatural positions. ``If you're down on your hands and knees planting or cultivating, don't support yourself by hyperextending your non-tool hand, flattening your palm against the ground,'' she said.
Appleton noted that women are three times more likely than men to have carpal tunnel syndrome, but men may suffer more from other repetitive motion injuries, particularly those caused by tasks requiring upper-body strength.
Her company also stocks some reference books for people wanting more information. She recommends ``Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,'' by Kate Montgomery (Sports Touch Publishing) for advice on exercises.
In addition to items related to repetitive motion injuries, Green Thumb sells products that make gardening more comfortable for anyone.
Appleton, as a researcher, has frequently said that hydroscopic gels in soils don't help hold moisture, but as co-owner of a company she found a new use for the same gels. She recommends using the gels in a visor, neck band or vest, soaked in water, and then worn to keep a gardener cool while working outside in the heat.
If there's a gardener you care about, you may want to consider a Christmas gift from Green Thumb Consultants.
MEMO: To receive a free catalog of garden tools and aids, write Green Thumb
Consultants, P.O. Box 5980, Virginia Beach, Va. 23455-5980. Call (804)
496-9050 or fax (804) 496-9061.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CHARLIE MEADS/Staff
Bonnie Appleton wears a gel-filled visor, neck band and vest to keep
her cool.
by CNB