Nickmercs Explains How Playing Claw Could Be Bad For Your Health
The former Fortnite star has become one of Verdansk best players.
In a video on December 9, Nick NICKMERCS Kolcheff has explained how playing claw could be bad for your health and even cut your playing career short.
Many players at all levels have adopted the claw technique when using a controller notable names such as Seth Scump Abner and Issa Issa Rahim from and Fortnite respectively have been playing claw their entire lives.
Claw players use their index finger to touch the face buttons on a controller as opposed to leaving it on the bumpers or triggers atop the device, and for years many have debated its potential for causing harm to a players hand.
NICKMERCS, who has been a controller player in his entire life, has now spoken out to his viewers to explain why playing claw is potentially harmful and not worth making a change to.
Guys, Ive said it a million times, but claw is bad for your health, he says. Its not horrible, but I have a lot of friends that have stopped playing claw because they developed these huge pains in their forearms and wrists.
How Arthritis Changes Your Grip
Arthritis in the hands changes your grip from a structural perspective. Arthritis in the fingers and thumbs is incredibly common and it always affects your grip because 50 percent of hand use and 100 percent of gripping requires a functioning thumb, says A. Lee Osterman, MD, a professor of hand and orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and president of the Philadelphia Hand Center.
Osteoarthritis of the thumb causes gripping and pinching to become very painful and can result in significant disability, he says.
Inflammation from inflammatory arthritis types such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis can cause weakness in the grip, says John Esdaile, MD, MPH, rheumatologist and the scientific director of Arthritis Research Canada. Osteoarthritis can also cause inflammation in your hand from the breakdown of cartilage, he says.
Arthritis also changes your grip functionally. Swollen, painful joints are simply harder to use.
If you have wrist, thumb, or finger pain, you need to let your doctor know, even if there are no outward signs like swelling, redness, or disfigurement, he says. They can help you get the inflammation and pain under control before it limits your strength and range of motion, he explains. Take our PainSpot quiz to figure out what could be causing your hand pain.
What To Do About It
OK you got this. Here we go!
- Warm up your fingers before you train. Just like the joints and muscles of your shoulders, back, etc., your hands need some love too!
- Stack your digits on fabrics . If you find your fingers sliding on top of one another, use a bit of rock rosin until your grip gets stronger.
- Give it time! Those are muscles in there! They wont get Herculean overnight.
- Train your grip and hands. There are so many ways to do this! Train on your apparatus, yoga , grip apparatus like Dyna-Flex or stress balls, free-weight training, hand exercises, etc.
- Lotions and potions! There are a number of anti-inflammatory creams on the market if you find that the pain is following you throughout the day. I use Tiger Balm and Penetrex .
- NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofin are also an option.
- Acupuncture! You may feel like a human pincushion, but acupuncture is one of the most effective ways Ive found to deal with inflammation. It may even be covered by your insurance!
- Trip to the doc. Pain getting worse? Feeling grind-y? Its worth a trip to the doctor to find out whats happening in there.
Dont worry it wont last forever, and youll be grippin like a ninja! Love and pull-ups, Laura
As always, if you like this post, share it on your blog, the F-books, Twitter, and wherever else you crazy kids are sharing things these days.
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How Do I Make My Controller Less Slippery
One way is to apply a layer of grip tape to the surface. This will provide more friction between your hands and the controller, making it less likely to slip out of your grasp. Another way is to use a grips or skins that can be attached to the controller surface. These provide a textured surface that helps to grip the controller better.
Ways To Build Up Grip Strength
Most cases of handgrip weakness may be treated at home with immobilization, over-the-counter medicines, and exercise.
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Claw Controller Grips Could Potentially Cause Health Issues For Gamers
The Claw Controller grip, which sees players using their index fingers on the controller. Rather than resting them on the triggers on the top of the controller. Has been subject to debate in the world of Esports for some time now. While many claim that the claw controller grip has had no effect on their health. Study shows that long term use of the claw controller grip may cause harm to the players health. Experts advise against adopting the claw controller grip technique.
A streamer by the name of NickMercs created a video showcasing the issues he was having due to using the Claw Controller grip. He talks about how his friends started developing huge pains in their forearms and wrists from Claw Grip. Claw controller can cause tendinitis and arthritis if youre not careful. Configuring your buttons to suit your liking is probably the better option for gaming.
Guys, Ive said it a million times, but claw is bad for your health. Its not horrible, but I have a lot of friends that have stopped playing games using claw controller grip because they developed these huge pains in their forearms and wrists.
The streamer NickMerc also explains that he believes the Claw Controller short term is great. It potentially offers an advantage while gaming due to being more efficient. Claw Controller allows faster finger movement and ease of button usage.
Who Gets Arthritis In Their Hands
You are more likely to get arthritis in your hands if:
- Youre older. Osteoarthritis is commonly seen after age 50. Rheumatoid arthritis typically first appears between the age of 35 and 50.
- Youre a woman.
- Youre overweight.
- Youve had previous injuries to your hand. If youve dislocated or broken any joints in your hands or fingers, you are more likely to develop arthritis.
- You’ve inherited genes that cause the development of arthritis.
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The Most Common Cause Of Hand Pain
If youre encountering dull, achy finger joints in the morning or during training, chances are good that you are experiencing good old-fashioned arthritis**, which is quite common early in aerial work . Simply put, arthritis is just inflammation of the joints . When we begin our training, were asking hands, that havent been asked to do much more than hold a pen or wield a tennis racket, to suddenly manipulate our body weight and, you know, keep us from falling on our heads. No biggie. Any time you ask your body to do something hard, or even very different, you may experience some inflammation. Dont panic! Youve got options.
** If your hand pain is severe, or located in one spot, see a doc! Speaking of doctors, Im not one. This post is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care!
What Is Arthritis Of The Hand
Arthritis is a disease that attacks the tissues of your joints. A joint is where two bones meet. Arthritis can attack the lining of your joint or the cartilage, the smooth covering at the ends of bones. Eventually the cartilage breaks down, the ends of your bones become exposed, rub against each other and wear away. You have many joints in your hand, therefore its a common site for arthritis to happen.
Arthritis of the hand causes pain and swelling, stiffness and deformity. As arthritis progresses, you cant use your hands to manage everyday tasks as you once could.
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Watch: Getting Started On Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications
This video is part of an educational project from researchers at Yale University, Berkshire Medical Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Hospital for Special Surgery, CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation, and ArthritisPower. It was made possible with support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation. Watch more videos from this series here.
How Ra Hand Pain Is Diagnosed
Theres no one test to diagnose RA and in its early stages, signs and symptoms can mimic those of many other diseases.
But early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important for the best outcome. We are learning that we need to control inflammation much more aggressively upfront as joint damage can ensue early on, says Dr. Albayda. Hence, there has been a shift in treatment paradigms to catching patients early and instituting treat-to-target control.
To help determine whether you have RA in your hand or wrist, a health care provider will examine your hands and fingers for such symptoms as:
- Joint instability
They will also ask questions about other symptoms that tend to go along with RA, such as fatigue, flu-like symptoms, fever, and disrupted sleep.
A health care provider may order imaging tests to check for certain characteristics of RA, such as narrowing of the joint space or erosions of the bone. They will run blood tests to look for antibodies that may be found in people with RA as well as elevated levels of markers of inflammation in the blood.
Here is more information about tests used for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and criteria used for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
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Effects Of Smartphones On Our Fingers Hands And Elbows
Smartphones have become a lifestyle must have for most of us, from senior citizens to young children. These devices help us with learning, playing games, sharing stuff we like, liking stuff other people share, sending emails, watching videos and staying in touch with loved ones through video calls, voice calls and of course text. According to a recent study by Flurry, a digital analytics firm, the average person spends an about 2 hours and 57 minutes on their smartphone each day.
Although smartphones have made our lives easier, an increasing number of people have complained of finger, hand and elbow pain as a result of using their device. In non-medical terms, these conditions have been referred to as text claw and cell phone elbow.
So are smartphones really having a negative impact on the health of our upper extremities?
To find out, we asked Dr. Roger Powell, a board certified orthopedic surgeon, specializing in hand and elbow surgery.
What Questions Might My Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Claw Toes
Your healthcare provider may ask the following questions during your appointment:
- When did you start to notice your toes bending?
- Do you have any corns?
- Do you have any calluses?
- Have you tried any at-home treatments?
- Do members of your family have claw toes?
- Whats the cause of your family members claw toes?
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Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis In The Hands
PsA symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many people experience flare-ups when symptoms worsen but also experience periods in which symptoms lessen or disappear.
When PsA affects the hands, it tends to affect the joints closest to the nails, which can cause swelling in the fingers. As a result, some people confuse PsA with gout.
Arthritis symptoms in the hands can disrupt daily life. PsA may affect one hand more than the other, and it may affect a single finger.
Symptoms of PsA in the hands any combination of the following:
- stiff, painful finger and hand joints
- destruction of bony tissue, known as osteolysis
- a shortening of the fingers
- problems with the small joints
- severe deformities in the hands
People can use certain home remedies to help relieve the symptoms of PsA and prevent the condition from getting worse.
When someone experiences a PsA flare-up, the following home remedies can help:
People with PsA may also notice their symptoms improve with lifestyle measures such as:
- eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
- getting regular exercise
- maintaining a moderate weight, which may include losing weight, if necessary, to reduce the stress on joints
- managing stress
There is currently no cure for PsA, but treatment can help manage symptoms and address the underlying causes.
People who cannot take biologic drugs may benefit from oral small-molecule drugs, another form of emerging treatment, or a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, known as a DMARD.
How Is It Diagnosed Answer For Cubital Tunnel Syndrome And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel: by observing and inspecting the forearm and the elbow, checking the strength of some specific muscles and by checking their griping and pinching through an elbow flexion test.
Carpal tunnel: by examining the neck region, checking wrist and hand range of motion and performing a wrist flexion test and some sensory tests.
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How Is It Treated Answer For Cubital Tunnel Syndrome And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Mild cases of cubital tunnel syndrome can be treated by keeping pressure away from the elbow, protecting the funny bone by wearing an elbow pad or wearing a splint to sleep to avoid over-bending the elbow. Surgery is performed where the nerve compression is so severe as to release the pressure on the ulnar nerve.
For carpal tunnel, wrist splinting, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids may be used to relieve the pain, endoscopic or open surgery might be the way to go if severe.
Use Products And Devices To Ease Pressure On Your Grip
You can only do so much to strengthen your hands, especially if youre working around significant pain and/or deformity. You can also rely on tools to help you with your grip, Dr. Osterman says. There are a lot of great products designed with grip in mind.
Rub on some liquid chalk
I got the idea from my powerlifting days when I used liquid chalk to help me grip the bar better when doing deadlifts, says Joe H., 55, who has osteoarthritis and gout. With the arthritis, I figured Id just try a bit and I discovered that it makes opening jars a cinch, same with doorknobs. Unlike regular chalk, liquid chalk doesnt make a mess and is easy to clean up. Just go easy a little goes a long way, he adds.
Wear rubber gloves
A simple pair of yellow, rubber dish gloves can be a lifesaver when it comes to improving your grip, says Amina F., 30, who has rheumatoid arthritis. The rubber helps me hold on to slippery things like makeup bottles, grip lids, push the vacuum, and things like that, she says. I even keep a pair in my car because theyre great for turning the key and helping me grip the steering wheel.
If youre worried that dish gloves are a little too attention-grabbing, try a pair of gripper gloves they fit and look like normal gloves but they have a textured, rubberized surface on the palms. If you just need a little extra grip, a pair of medical latex gloves will do the trick, plus theyre disposable.
Use a mechanical grabber
Use a gripper made of Dycem
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Hand Pain Is Worse With Activity
This type of hand pain tends to occur in osteoarthritis , a degenerative disorder where the cartilage that cushions the end of a joint breaks down over time. Joint symptoms of OA are more likely to be exacerbated by repetitive or overuse and effort, explains Dr. Lally for example, gardening or crafting.
In RA, on the other hand, pain and stiffness tend to come with lack of use and after periods of inactivity, such as when you wake up in the morning after being still all night.
Another way to distinguish the two: swelling in your hand and wrist is hard and bony in OA boggy and squishy in RA, says Dr. Albayda.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis In The Hands
Early symptoms include:
- Dull or burning joint pain, appearing hours or a day after increased use of your hands.
- Morning pain and stiffness in your hand.
- Swollen joints in your hand.
If you’ve had arthritis in your hand for some time:
- Symptoms are present more often.
- Pain may change from dull ache to sharp pain.
- Pain may wake you up at night.
- Pain may cause you to change the way you use your hand.
- Tissue surrounding your affected joint may become red and tender to the touch.
- Youll feel grating, grinding, cracking or clicking when bending your fingers.
- Your fingers cant fully open and close.
- Small bony nodules form on the middle joint of your fingers or at the top joints of your fingers .
- Your finger joints become large and deformed and abnormally bent, leaving your hands weak and less able to accomplish everyday tasks.
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