Practice Management

Another Reason To Go Paperless - Less Painful

By chucknewton

Experts offer theories as to why such little paper cuts can hurt so much , apart from the fact that we are all big sissies.

Do not get me wrong, I still get a paper cut from time to time.  Most often I get one while feeding paper through my scanner.  Damn lawyers and clients who will not give up paper!

The medical mystery after all of these years is that doctors and scientist do not seem to know why the microscopic cuts hurt so much.  All we have are theories.

One theory concerns the niciceptors in our hands, which are the nerve fibers that send touch and pain messages to our brain.  The hand, and especially the fingers, has more of these niciceptors than the rest of the body.

Another theory is that paper is porous and is therefore better at hosting bacteria.  Get cut and leave behind all kinds of bacteria to cause trouble.

Yet another theory is that since paper is dull the cuts are shallow, and although we think that shallow cuts should hurt less that is not true.  Paper is likely to rip flesh rather than tear it.  This means more microscopic damage.  This hits the most sensitive nerves.

The solution after receiving a paper cut is to seal the wound in that this will stimulate fewer pain receptors.  You can seal the wound with vaseline, liquid bandage, Super or Crazy glue.

Of course, the best way is not to get the paper cut in the first place.  Go paperless.  So, all of you clients and lawyers out there, quit sending me paper.  PDF it and email it to me.

Full post as published by Chuck Newton on February 09, 2008 (boomark / email).