Dealing with pain

[SaintCree]

I did a quick search on the bar, and spent some time researching. I didn't really find much information.

For most, it seems like finger and hand pain isn't an issue when solving and practicing. I'm using a generic Rubik's brand cube (Awaiting a GuHong ultimate in the mail). It doesn't take long at all for my fingers to just start getting killer pains.

Which is weird, I've never had wrist pain from cubes. It is fairly stiff, even after lubing, filing, and breaking in using various techniques. The pain starts where my fingers meet my palm, and then in the core of my hand.

After a while I can barely do things without my joints feeling like they want to crack but never will. A big problem I face when doing cubes is that I have a trigger-finger that locks up on my left hand frequently, it hurts, like no one's business.

I have weak fingers and wrists in general. When I do lifting at the gym, sometimes I can feel my wrists sliding out of place and I have to stop for a moment.

anyway...I was just wondering. Did it or does it ever get this bad for any of you? Is it just my cube, or at least a great deal of the cause? Is there anything I can do outside of cubing that will help? I feel like it will and does impair my speed capabilities.

 

[DavidWoner]

It's probably almost entirely your cube. Grip and finger strength training will help, but your best bet is just to reduce your cubing until your new cube comes.

 

[Erzz]

The only time that ever happens to me is when I use a storebought (even though mine is very loose), or when I cube with a broken/fractured wrist.
The pain might stop when you get the new cube. If it doesn't, I'd say ask a doctor.

 

[antoineccantin]

Right now, my right index finger hurts a lot. Probably because I cut my nail too short though.

 

[emolover]

I use to have really bad pains in my upper wrists when I started cubing with a crappy rubik's brand. It got to the point where I had to stop every hour. But I got a cube4you brand speed cube and the pains never came back. I also started doing some upper body workouts soon after so that might have helped.

 

[Georgeanderre]

almost all of my speedcubes are storebought, and i have no problem with the pain ... although
probably because i played rs for a long time and both my wrists became accustomed to the clicking and incredibly fast typing required to get good
(i dont play as much now because it gave me carpal tunnel in my right hand twice, but i blame myself for this)

i also do a lot of 7x7 compared to any other event which has helped my wrists get a lot stronger and has almost made me immune to finger pains ...
this is either good or bad whichever way you look at it

 

[Bapao]

Had the same issue. Just stop using the cube or slow down till your new one arrives...

 

[karanasher]

Yeah sometimes i've dealt with minor pains because of excessive cubing but after a certain period of rest it's back to normal

 

[Tommy34]

I have such bad pain in my right index finger that i have to substitute my middle finger for all of my finger tricks...(but thats from me slamming my finger in the door of my dads dodge!)

 

[Cool Frog]

I have such bad pain in my right index finger that i have to substitute my middle finger for all of my finger tricks...(but thats from me slamming my finger in the door of my dads dodge!)

Left index for <U', U, U2, U2'>

 

[theace]

If it IS that bad, I would seriously suggest you consider getting medical help. Just to make sure that it isn't something major.

 

[SaintCree]

If it IS that bad, I would seriously suggest you consider getting medical help. Just to make sure that it isn't something major.

I might go get it checked out if the problem doesn't fix itself whilest using the new cube. Hopefully it'll come in today. -shakes fist at mailbox-

Thanks to everyone for the input thus far. There isn't any speed cubers that I know of on campus, so it's not a question I can really ask anyone near me.

 

[theace]

I might go get it checked out if the problem doesn't fix itself whilest using the new cube. Hopefully it'll come in today. -shakes fist at mailbox-

Thanks to everyone for the input thus far. There isn't any speed cubers that I know of on campus, so it's not a question I can really ask anyone near me.

I've used a lot of crappy cubes. I haven't ever had a problem THIS serious. I would advise you to go to a doc nonetheless...

 

[Godmil]

I used to have Big problems (partially from cubing) which made me take a 7 year break (had to stop using a computer for about a year too). If I touch a stiff cube now I can feel the pain coming back on right away, thankfully I have no problems at all with my Guhong. I'd be very very carefull, you don't want to do long term damage. If you're still going to cube until your Guhong arrives then I'd avoid speed solves, take it easy and practice optimising your F2L or something.

 

[SaintCree]

I just got my Guhong. Stickerless with ultimate mod (I won't be doing WCA anytime soon).

It is a godsend. My first cube outside of store bought. I've got about 50 solves under this one, no pain yet. Amazing...