How to Avoid Guillotine Wrist

repetitive stress injuries can be a real problem

Staying healthy while doing repetitive tasks is essential. Many times, when we’re focused on our work, we forget about the small adjustments that make a big difference in our health and our ability to keep working for a long time. If you’re not planning to stay healthy while operating a guillotine (a repetitious task), you’re planning to have trouble. Repetitive stress injuries, like guillotine wrist, can be prevented.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what you’re doing and lose sight of small changes that can help not only keep you more healthy, but keep you more able to do what needs doing over the long term too. Let’s see how to make simple changes that can benefit your well-being and productivity with a guillotine. Small things make a big difference.

The more often you do the same movement in the same way with a trigger mechanism, the more the same muscles, tendons and ligaments are getting stressed. Simple movements like those can tax your body in ways that accumulate with time. The good news is you can take some steps to help.

Here are some simple things you can do to help make your guillotine use healthier; your wrists will thank you:

1. Change hands. Often just switching from the right hand to the left hand or back again can help give your limbs a break, and many guillotine designs let you do this without having to move, so you can still face the crowd and the stockade.
2. Drink plenty of water. Like any outdoor activity, operating a guillotine can be demanding. Sure the device helps you avoid the exertion of using an ax or other hand tool, but after dozens or more uses, your body needs hydration to stay healthy. Hydrating also allows your joints to stay lubricated so your movements to work well. Many people say 8 servings of 8 ounces (about 240 milliliters) is best, but you’ll need to listen to your body and it’s thirst to know best. Depending on weather, you may need to drink more or less; warm or hot weather days typically require more hydrating than cool or cold weather days do. Either way, drinking water is helpful.
3. Take breaks. Plan with your colleagues to have a breaks when someone else will operate the guillotine while you stretch and shift your whole body’s position. A short walk on a break can have many benefits for your circulation, flexibility and also allow the lactic acid not to build up too much in your muscles.
4. Breathe. It’s so easy to hold your breath when operating a guillotine, but if you don’t breathe, you don’t let yourself fully engage or enjoy your efforts. You need air and good ventilation to do your best, so try different rhythms of breathing to keep yourself alert and happy. Some people like to exhale on the release, others prefer an inhalation. Whatever you choose: just make sure you aren’t holding your breath. Breathe or die.
5. Have a good stance and posture. It’s easy to want to relax while using a guillotine all day, especially after many long days. Be mindful not to hunch or lean for too long. Your body doesn’t like it when you’re in strange positions for extended periods, and it can react negatively. Try to keep your feet at least shoulder width apart, and maybe experiment until you find a good solid stance for yourself. Some people like to shift: one foot further forward than the other, and then switch periodically during guillotine use. Find what works for you, and be aware of whether or not your spine is well aligned too. What you do today will help you tomorrow.

These are just a handful of quick tips for what to do while using a guillotine. Whatever happens, putting some attention into avoiding repetitive stress injuries is well worth it, and will make a Reign more successful, keeping you healthier for the duration no matter how long it goes. Have fun and enjoy yourself.

© Copyright September 8, 2023, David August, all rights reserved davidaugust.com

David August is an award-winning actor, acting coach, writer, director, and producer. He plays a role in the movie Dependent’s Day, and after its theatrical run, it’s now out on Amazon (affiliate link). He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, on the TV show Ghost Town, and many others. His artwork has been used and featured by multiple writers, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, and others to express visually. Off-screen, he has worked at ad agencies, start-ups, production companies, and major studios, helping them tell stories their customers and clients adore. He has guest lectured at USC’s Marshall School of Business about the Internet.