Here's another weird one. I have a little bar in the shower that I use to prop my arm so I can wash my hair. Today, I realized that the Erb's arm is just hanging up there and not doing any work. The other arm is doing a ll the hair washing. Is that weird or what??? Why bother to put the erbs arm up there at all??????? I tried to just do it with one hand and it doesn't work. I seem to need that dumb arm up there---holding up my head I guess
What about you???????
Washing hair
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patpxc
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2001 1:06 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: C-5 and C-6. Unable to supinate. Contracture elbow. Wrist bone underdeveloped.
Can raise forearm to mouth level. shoulder is limited in movement. Unable to put arm behind back. Secondary- early arthritis, carpal tunnel, pronator syndrome,scoliosis - Location: Ohio
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rachelcasa
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm
Re: Washing hair
Oddly enough, I was noticing that myself. I was a hairdresser for 10 years. Everytime I would wash someone elses hair my arm would just kind of sit there and go back and forth a bit. I always...always...just used one hand. My own hair, I lift my arm up to my head and it just kind of sits there too. Crazy the things we notice isn't it?
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: Washing hair
I just always used one arm and the other arm just hung out and let the "unaffected" arm do all the work... LOL... The first time someone with a sprained wrist complained to me they could not use both hands to wash their hair was the first time I realized most folks use two hands...
Kath
Kath
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
Re: Washing hair
I'm the same as Kath.
I never realized people used two hands to wash their hair. In fact, I wonder why when one does the job!
Now screwing off the cap of the shampoo is another issue. I have been known to use my teeth. Ick!
Nancy
I never realized people used two hands to wash their hair. In fact, I wonder why when one does the job!
Now screwing off the cap of the shampoo is another issue. I have been known to use my teeth. Ick!
Nancy
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patpxc
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2001 1:06 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: C-5 and C-6. Unable to supinate. Contracture elbow. Wrist bone underdeveloped.
Can raise forearm to mouth level. shoulder is limited in movement. Unable to put arm behind back. Secondary- early arthritis, carpal tunnel, pronator syndrome,scoliosis - Location: Ohio
Re: Washing hair
I unscrew the lid before I get in the shower. If it's wet, I can't do it. also I have a problem pointing the nozzle if my husband forgets to reposition it. Reaching overhead with the good arm causes muscle spasms.
I don't think my hair would be as clean if that Erb's arm wasn't hanging on the top of my head!! Pat
I don't think my hair would be as clean if that Erb's arm wasn't hanging on the top of my head!! Pat
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: Washing hair
Always used 1 hand. When I got to the point that my long hair wore out my good arm,I just had it cut to a shorter style & treat myself to a hair salon shampoo as often as I can. In the 1960's I had a regular hairdresser 2x a week. That was my 1 luxury but I felt it a necessity in order to look professional.
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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Judy-T
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:59 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right arm OBPI One surgery at age 40 Ulnar nerve retransposition
- Location: Florida
Re: Washing hair
Nancy , you need to get the pop-up tops. makes life easier. I am a one handed shampooer also
Re: Washing hair
I to have always used one arm.i have rt and lft bpi but my rt arm has always been the better one.I'm having to bend down more to wsh hair.I look like a contortionest.I also make sure caps are loose or off before I get in shower.We are a creative bunch.Also cut my hair short.m,uch easier to handle.
Re: Washing hair
Humm....I am a one handed washer too. I can remember many a time when I was younger having to get back in the shower because I missed an area or didn't get the shampoo out somewhere....Now I am much better and take more time to get it right