if it was practiced like this by numerous practitioners of previous generations of long/short bridge systems, i think it is not a matter of personal choice. health risk, maybe, maybe not, but i am talking about progress.
anyway, follow what your sifu has taught you, not what you learn on in the "lessons" on the net. i might be a teenager who has learnt a bit here or there, picked couple of things from a books or form aniother forum, and now, a wise guy, i am preaching and giving an advice to others
just kidding, you what i mean. ask your sifu, buddy! all the best in your training
PS: happy for you, Chin sifu is a top class!