Ergonomics is intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury, typically in the workplace. “Put in work… do work.. just another day at the office” are all familiar terms. We all know you can get hurt from falling, slipping a pedal, missing a grip etc. But how often do we think about getting hurt with out even eating shit?
Roughly 3 weeks ago it happened to me. I was at a local park with my friend Zach about an hour or more into the session when I started trying an icepick up a square rail when all of a sudden I felt a tingling in my arm. Taxed. I couldn’t even lift my arm. I didn’t fall. I had already landed the grind and went back to clean it up when I hurt myself.
here is a little diagram of what I was trying. Icepick up and over to hop over into the bank. I’m right side pegs. If you’ve ever done an icepick grind and or ever tried to icepick grind up anything I think you understand the position your arm is in when you’re doing the grind.
I felt dumb. Zach didn’t see me fall. It was almost as if I was faking it. But I really couldn’t even lift my arm. The pain got continually worse until I picked up a sling at a local rite aid for about 15 bucks. After seeing a doctor ( thank you medical ins. ) He told me I sprained my AC joint.
Apparently when you have your arm forward like that you have your shoulder at it’s weakest point. The jolting motion of landing in the icepick and balancing is what did it. I’ve been riding once or twice a week this winter and it’s possible my shoulder muscles weren’t up to par with what I was trying even if my skill level was.
With that said, I was off work for two weeks on short term disability and couldn’t ride. I’m still going to physical therapy, and I started working again this week. I plan to start riding again this weekend but I’m going to have to make sure to take it really slow and work my muscles back up. No matter how bad you wanna ride or try something that is even within your comfort range.. make sure you take into consideration your body.