Forum

.

Hey bro,

I think a rotary would be your best bet for you, stigma/inkjecta/bishop/neotat .... most have very low vibration, however, another thing I would recommend that you use larger grips, say 1.25" also you can wrap your grips with silicone tube covers, or like what I do is take a piece of towel and wrap it around the tube and put a piece of sensi wrap to hold it in place. if you grip is large enough it will relieve some tension,
hope that helps, take care

Stephen Stacey.

Tendinitis is awful, and I can say that with confidence because I was diagnosed with it about two years ago. Mine started with to much computer activity, thats why if you or anyone else has noticed that I don't answer forum questions as much as I used to is because of my tendonitis and tennis elbow, and of course tattooing flares it up as well. I've done the whole physical therapy gimmick, which didn't help at all, they say the only way to really get rid of it, or I should say "to tame it" is to take 6-8 weeks off, so i'm guessing that means to lay in bed and not use your hand for 6-8 weeks,well I cant do that, and I'm sure most people can't either. But I have cut down my computer use in half and that seemed to help. As far as tattooing stretching on your breaks helps, if it really hurts at the end of the day, definitely ice it for 20 minutes. Also bigger grips are a huge help! I use the tat soul wrath tubes that come in a pretty big grip size and they have a rubber grip, but its not like other rubber grips, these ones really do cut down on vibration and having your hand holding a bigger tube is key! To answer your main question as to what machine to use, pretty much any light rotary is gonna do the trick. Wish you or anyone else the best of luck if they have tendinitis because that shit sucks!

I recently switched to using rotary machines after using coil machines for about 20 yrs and while it was a learning experience for me, it seems to have helped my hand issues. Using larger sized tubes and rubber grips helped too after using those Spaulding thin SS tubes for about 10 yrs. Having to squeeze a smaller tube seems to cause more hand issues I think. I have had a touch of arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis etc. and as of the last 2-3 yrs have developed heberden's nodes on my right pinky finger ( odd looking if you haven't seen it before). The outer joint has calcified and fused entirely -caused from the pressure during tattooing I guess. It was fairly painful as it developed over the first year, but now is ok. Surprisingly it doesnt seem to affect my tattooing at all or any other activities. If it was my index finger I imagine things would be much different.
Having hand issues seems to be the bane of our existence as tattoo artists it seems. I have talked with many older guys that have been tattoing many years,and artists that have hand issues and one of the persons that helped me the most was Guy A. who recommended doing certain hand and wrist excersizes which he once explained to me many yrs ago. I have tried to do this and it helps the carpal tunnel issues. Hand issues arent as talked about in the tattoo community it seems, as artists may have a bit of fear over the possible thought clients would think their tattoing wont be as quality. This isnt always true of course, there are people doing art in the world without arms. Human ambition can be a powerful thing.
The neo-tat, Stigma and the Bizarre, and Vivaces work well and seem to have less vibration. I am hoping to get an inkjecta too soon. Hope to try more, I have only tried these 4 so far. Im sure Mike can give a lot more insight on rotaries that I could, I don't have much experience with them, but hope this helps anyone with the hand issues mentioned. I Enjoy this forum will try to post more-Old School Jerry - Rock N Roll Tattoo - Las Vegas, Nevada

I recently switched to using rotary machines after using coil machines for about 20 yrs and while it was a learning experience for me, it seems to have helped my hand issues. Using larger sized tubes and rubber grips helped too after using those Spaulding thin SS tubes for about 10 yrs. Having to squeeze a smaller tube seems to cause more hand issues I think. I have had a touch of arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis etc. and as of the last 2-3 yrs have developed heberden's nodes on my right pinky finger ( odd looking if you haven't seen it before). The outer joint has calcified and fused entirely -caused from the pressure during tattooing I guess. It was fairly painful as it developed over the first year, but now is ok. Surprisingly it doesnt seem to affect my tattooing at all or any other activities. If it was my index finger I imagine things would be much different.
Having hand issues seems to be the bane of our existence as tattoo artists it seems. I have talked with many older guys that have been tattoing many years,and artists that have hand issues and one of the persons that helped me the most was Guy A. who recommended doing certain hand and wrist excersizes which he once explained to me many yrs ago. I have tried to do this and it helps the carpal tunnel issues. Hand issues arent as talked about in the tattoo community it seems, as artists may have a bit of fear over the possible thought clients would think their tattoing wont be as quality. This isnt always true of course, there are people doing art in the world without arms. Human ambition can be a powerful thing.
The neo-tat, Stigma and the Bizarre, and Vivaces work well and seem to have less vibration. I am hoping to get an inkjecta too soon. Hope to try more, I have only tried these 4 so far. Im sure Mike can give a lot more insight on rotaries that I could, I don't have much experience with them, but hope this helps anyone with the hand issues mentioned. I Enjoy this forum will try to post more-Old School Jerry - Rock N Roll Tattoo - Las Vegas, Nevada

I recently switched to using rotary machines after using coil machines for about 20 yrs and while it was a learning experience for me, it seems to have helped my hand issues. Using larger sized tubes and rubber grips helped too after using those Spaulding thin SS tubes for about 10 yrs. Having to squeeze a smaller tube seems to cause more hand issues I think. I have had a touch of arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis etc. and as of the last 2-3 yrs have developed heberden's nodes on my right pinky finger ( odd looking if you haven't seen it before). The outer joint has calcified and fused entirely -caused from the pressure during tattooing I guess. It was fairly painful as it developed over the first year, but now is ok. Surprisingly it doesnt seem to affect my tattooing at all or any other activities. If it was my index finger I imagine things would be much different.
Having hand issues seems to be the bane of our existence as tattoo artists it seems. I have talked with many older guys that have been tattoing many years,and artists that have hand issues and one of the persons that helped me the most was Guy A. who recommended doing certain hand and wrist excersizes which he once explained to me many yrs ago. I have tried to do this and it helps the carpal tunnel issues. Hand issues arent as talked about in the tattoo community it seems, as artists may have a bit of fear over the possible thought clients would think their tattoing wont be as quality. This isnt always true of course, there are people doing art in the world without arms. Human ambition can be a powerful thing.
The neo-tat, Stigma and the Bizarre, and Vivaces work well and seem to have less vibration. I am hoping to get an inkjecta too soon. Hope to try more, I have only tried these 4 so far. Im sure Mike can give a lot more insight on rotaries that I could, I don't have much experience with them, but hope this helps anyone with the hand issues mentioned. I Enjoy this forum will try to post more-Old School Jerry - Rock N Roll Tattoo - Las Vegas, Nevada

I recently picked up a dragonfly as a last ditch effort at overcoming my carpal tunnel issues and whammo the light/low vibration rotary's are the answer for me. very interested in the inkjecta as well, but these machines have saved my tattooing I strongly suggest along with the above advice on stretching it very well may be the answer for you too.

I was recently diagnosed with tennis elbow, I've been tattooing for about 14 years,
Never thought that I was gonna develop such thing as tendinitis (tennis elbow) but here I am today searching for answers on how to aliviate this issue or if it even has a cure,,
I guess I will need to do more research on the subject about stretching exercises etc.
first thing that came to my mind was switching to rotarys after using coil machines for all this years,,
I just want to thank all of you guys that are not afraid to talk about this issue, I'm sure there's a lot more artist out there with this problem but don't come forward with it due to the concern about scaring off their customers like you mention,
Lately I've been doing 4 to 6 hour sessions none stop I think that's where I went wrong, I guess from now on I will take my breaks and explain to my customers about this problem I'm sure that they will understand I have pretty awesome customers thank god!

Well what I wanted to say in this forum is thank you all for all the great advise, I know and repeat what I said, it's not easy to talk about this subject but I'm glad I found this threat,,
I will switch to some stigmas and I will make sure to keep you guys posted on how this will help my elbow as well as doing a combination of stretching exercises and maybe some strength exercises as well..

Keep the ink flowing guys,, and good looking out.
I'm sure we will stay in touch.
Once again can't thank you enough for all your info.

Hi
A note for Tennis Elbow Sufferers, don't forget that there are neoprene compression braces available at most pharmacies &/or sporting good stores.
I became a believer in compression therapy when a major tendon in my leg partially tore.

Another great pain reliever has been heat therapy. Really helps take the inflammation down. An electric heat pad is all you need for that.

I also had a case of these issues. Right now I strongly recommend the valor by tatsoul. It is very small and one of the lightest machines made. I use this for my color packer and for lining. i use a dragonfly another very light machine for blending. hope this helps!

try the cheyenne thunder

A quick update on my tennis elbow issue..
I did some reading about the tennis elbow and alternative treatments, so I discovered that many patients do acupuncture to treat and relieve the pain and many cases it cures the problem,,

I live in Mexico the state is michoacan, so I went on a mission to look for someone with the knowledge to do the acupuncture treatment and I found this amazing doctor,,
I did my first treatment with him, and since I told him I am a tattoo artist and I really need my arm to do my job and I told him I had faith in him,, he looked at me and said I'm gonna send you to see a friend of mine he will take care of you.
So he send me of to see his friend that same day, so I did and this man is a miracle worker his hands are guide by gods hands that's the best way to describe it..
I told him what I do for work and that I was diagnosed with tennis elbow so he sat me down and grabbed my arm put his thumb on my elbow (it hurt like hell) but he snapped the tendon back in place and also did the same by my deltoid pushed his thumb and snapped the tendon back in place,, he explained to me that tennis elbow is nothing but a thin tendon that comes out of place and rubs against the bone causing pain in some cases depending on our line of work lots of pain!
So needless to say he fixed my arm in less than 5min.
It's true and I still can't believe it..
The minute he did that snapping into place, the pain was gone..

If there's anyone out there that have this issue and is willing to take the trip out here I will personally take you guys with this man..
I swear is worth the trip..
I am willing to help as many people as possible it worked for me and I think is something i needed to share!!

My email mrta2s@hotmail.com
Please contact me if you truly want to get some help with your tennis elbow,, worth the trip no joke!
Contact me and I will answer any questions

A quick update on my tennis elbow issue..
I did some reading about the tennis elbow and alternative treatments, so I discovered that many patients do acupuncture to treat and relieve the pain and many cases it cures the problem,,

I live in Mexico the state is michoacan, so I went on a mission to look for someone with the knowledge to do the acupuncture treatment and I found this amazing doctor,,
I did my first treatment with him, and since I told him I am a tattoo artist and I really need my arm to do my job and I told him I had faith in him,, he looked at me and said I'm gonna send you to see a friend of mine he will take care of you.
So he send me of to see his friend that same day, so I did and this man is a miracle worker his hands are guide by gods hands that's the best way to describe it..
I told him what I do for work and that I was diagnosed with tennis elbow so he sat me down and grabbed my arm put his thumb on my elbow (it hurt like hell) but he snapped the tendon back in place and also did the same by my deltoid pushed his thumb and snapped the tendon back in place,, he explained to me that tennis elbow is nothing but a thin tendon that comes out of place and rubs against the bone causing pain in some cases depending on our line of work lots of pain!
So needless to say he fixed my arm in less than 5min.
It's true and I still can't believe it..
The minute he did that snapping into place, the pain was gone..

If there's anyone out there that have this issue and is willing to take the trip out here I will personally take you guys with this man..
I swear is worth the trip..
I am willing to help as many people as possible it worked for me and I think is something i needed to share!!

My email mrta2s@hotmail.com
Please contact me if you truly want to get some help with your tennis elbow,, worth the trip no joke!
Contact me and I will answer any questions

I wonder what your magic touch guy can do for legs and ankles!

Mexico is on my bucket list.

I think is worth giving it a try,,
Why not?

The place is near Zamora Michoacan, if you guys want to google the area.. But you can also contact me I'll be more than glad to help anyone who is serious about this.

My email:
Mrta2s@hotmail.com