Bonne Greer reported hand pain, possibly from trimming blocks.  I too have
experienced hand pain on the top of my hand but mine also extended upwards into
my wrist.  I think mine was from cutting as in one month I cut  2000 slides ,
plus doing the embedding and staining of them and everything else that is done
in a histology lab.  I was working alone then and had grant deadlines to meet.
I was given cortizone shots in the top of my wrist, but that did nothing to
help.  The only thing that did finally help was a slower month and eventually I
was given some help.  Guess they got tired of seeing those "workman's
compensation" bills.   That repetitive motion from embedding and all the
coverslipping by hand can really cause problems.  Those same little muscles in
thse hand and wrist are used too much.  It's a wonder all of us in this field
don't have more problems.   Pipettors also have this problem I hear.
Karen Dulany HTL
Eppley Institute  for Cancer Research
Omaha, NE