Grin and GripTip sheet for those on the Campaign Trail
Campaigning season is coming to a close and many candidates are feeling the effects of incessant hand shaking with the American public. Karen Jacobs, Clinical Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at BU's Sargent College and President of the American Occupational Therapy Association, offers the following tips as we near the end of the campaign trail:
"Shaking hands is an occupational hazard that can add detrimental stress to the campaign, says Jacobs, "Taking the proper health precautions will allow the candidates to go the extra mile in comfort!"
Keep in Shape to go the Distance: Shaking hands with fewer negative consequences can best be achieved with you are in good physical condition
-- Choose exercises that include your whole hand emphasizing muscles in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
-- Keep light weights you can use while traveling.
-- Do shoulder shrugs and back stretches between speeches and at the end of the day.
Positioning is Everything: Prevent problems by checking your posture and the placement of your hands and arms during handshaking
-- Initiate the handshake so you have a firm lock on the other person's hand.
-- Avoid pressure on the knuckles by positioning the web space between your thumb and index finger firmly against the corresponding space in the other person's hand.
-- Hold your wrist straight.
-- Shake from the arm, not the wrist.
-- Break the handshake quickly and move on to the next.
Take Care of Important Allies: Your back and shoulders are important components of the motion of a handshake. Protect and save them for the heavy burdens of the office.
-- Keep your elbow at a 90 degree angle.
-- Keep your arm close to your body.
-- Don't turn from the waist to reach for a handshake.
-- Try not to raise your hand about your shoulder.
Strengthen Your Hand: Activities to increase hand strength can be fitted into those rare free moments in a busy campaign schedule
-- Stretch and flex your hands while on the day waiting to give the best speech of the campaign.
-- Keep a foam ball or hand gripper in your campaign office and car.
-- Build up your hands while making telephone calls.
Declare a Recess: Take frequent breaks. Try these exercises to rest and relax the areas of your body that have been receiving the most stress.
-- With fingers interfaced behind your head, gently stretch your elbows back. Hold for 10 seconds.
-- Shrug your shoulders. Hold for ten second intervals three times.
-- With fingers interlaced behind your back and arms straight back, gently hold for 10 seconds.
The Best Defense is a Good Offense: If you are already experiencing discomfort, you can apply creative strategies for avoiding a handshake without hurting your chances for winning a vote.
-- Change hands. You don't always have to use the same hand.
-- Put your arm around a person's shoulder before they grab your hand.
-- Hold something that cannot be put down easily.
-- Wear a splint or brace from a drugstore on your hand or wrist to warn off aggressive glad handers.
Damage Control: Pain in your hand, wrist, arm or shoulder is a warning signal that you need rest and possibly professional treatment. To temporarily relieve discomfort:
-- Rest your hand wherever and whenever you can. Use a tape recorder to dictate speeches and make notes rather than writing.
-- Try gentle stretching exercises to increase circulation and relieve tension.
-- Run and ice cube across the painful area for a few seconds or apply and ice pack for no more than 10 minutes. (Keep a cool pack in your office or car). If you experience numbness, discontinue using cold.
-- If you have persistent pain, numbness or tingling contact your physician and see an occupational therapist.
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