Many people indulge in art as a way to relax, unwind, or destress from a long day’s work, many more people use art as a creative outlet, a means to express oneself, or just for enjoyment. What a surprising number of people tend not to realize is that, like any physical activity, there is the risk of injury. In ceramics, there is a particular risk of strains from repetitive motion and poor posture.

Wedging:

By and large, the largest culprit for strain injuries happens to be the Wedging process, whereby air is removed from clay via a repetitive series of compressive movement, primarily performed utilising the wrists in a twisting motion. The practice of wedging clay is a necessary one to create a functional piece, however, sacrificing one’s wrists does not need to be.

By keeping the wrists stationary and pushing with the arms, one can achieve a similar effect to traditional wedging techniques without the additional twisting wrist motion which can lead to tenderness following.
Alternatively, should the wrists already be strained from wedging, a cold compress [Frozen peas wrapped in a towed, one of those magic beanbags, ect] can be placed over the affected area for a time for temporary relief, however, it is recommended that wedging be avoided until wrists regain full mobility.

Posture:

Additionally, improper posture whilst working with clay can lead to complications. Being curled over the wheel or bending over for an extended period may seem comfortable in the moment, but your back will be all out of sorts the moment you try to stand properly, hence, the importance of posture.

For wheel work, it is crucial to bend at the hips rather than arch the spine, working the wheel takes a surprising amount of upper body strength and not only will bending at the hips grant you more control over the wheel, it will also help you avoid a sore back afterward, which will make cleaning up afterwards much easier.

Handbuilding, on the other hand, is far more liberal with its postures, but often, the same rules apply. If you are working at a table, and find yourself leaning over more often than not, be sure to be bending at the hips rather than arching the spine. And if possible, just take a seat. Relax. Art is meant to be enjoyed, and more often than not, it can be enjoyed sitting down.

Comfort Flexibility:

The technical aspects of art tend to be taught based on what works well for the instructor. Some wheel workers prefer the cone-up cone-down method to center their clay, others prefer the brute force method, and if whatever technique is being taught does not work for you, then there is no shame in finding something that does.
Whether it is to avoid discomfort, pain or even to work around a mobility issue, finding alternative ways to execute well accepted techniques should be a priority in any classroom.

Art is something that can be enjoyed by anyone, but if you find yourself hurting more than you enjoy the process of making, perhaps it’s time to experiment with the methods you use, or maybe even time to try and learn a new technique.
Your personal well being should be made the priority when it comes to making your art. And if you are suffering more than you are enjoying, are you really making art at that point?