hand fatigue

[Ann Louise Fetters]

I have left hand difficulty; holding the item too tightly with my left hand creates pain. I try to remember to be looser, however, during the process, attention is on the stitch, or bead. My right hand, which is constantly in motion does not feel bad, therefore, I think it is the 'holding hand'. I am training myself to sew left- handed. It works sometimes, but not every sewing direction lends itself to this. I think lefties have an opposite direction??!!
Please, many must have similar difficulties! Advise!

[Judy B]

When hand quilting I tried mixing needle rocking and and fabric folding, but finished up with two aching hands, and have been doing stab stitch for way over ten years. (Must have stand!) Now I can quilt all day, and come back and do it again next day without any problems. Started with sharks teeth on the back, still get a few, but it is just a few. (I had a hard time one day convincing a quilt judge that it wasn't running stitch!) The fingers of both hands move constantly doing stab stitch, turning the needle around to push it back the other way. One thing I do differently to most is putting my dominant right hand under the work, and my left hand on top where I can see what it is doing.

[Mary Corbet]

Oh, gosh. When I use a hoop without a stand, I end up with a death grip on the hoop sometimes, which is really weird, because embroidery is supposed to be my relaxation! But I never notice it until I stop and put my work down. Then I have to convince my hand to be normal again!

One thing that I find helpful is to hold the painful hand up with my other hand, palm facing me, and rub the base of my hand, above the wrist, back and forth with the thumb of my other hand. I don't know why rubbing at the base of the hand seems to relieve things faster, but for some reason, it does.

Generally, though, I use a stand to eliminate having to hold my hoop or frame. I suppose with beading on ribbon, that's not really an option....

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi, I was also going to suggest the elastic support glove. I haven't needed to use mine in quite a while, but it has helped in the past. It keeps the wrist and hand warm while giving gentle support. I would think the splint would be too rigid, but it won't hurt to see what helps the most.

I have had surgery on my left wrist and I often suffer pain, especially when I am doing a lot of handwork such as crocheting and am in a rush to get presents or sale items completed. Then I notice the pain in the form of stiffness and aches. However, because of my frequent wrist pain I have begun wearing my magnetic bracelets 24-7 and am happy to report ZERO pain. Don't ask me how they work, I just know they do.

Also, as a massage therapist, I find it's quite common that people suffering hand and wrist pain also have super tight shoulder and back muscles, especially around the scapula. This is exacerbated by too much time spent on our computers and other activities in this position. Many times the back is where the pain originates because those muscles are constricted and circulation is cut off from the limbs. I encourage people to squeeze their scapula muscles together as if you were trying to get the "wings" to touch. Hold that position for about 20 seconds then relax, slowly wrapping your arm around yourself in a gentle hug. Do this a few times on occasion and I guarantee you will feel fresh blood rushing to your arms and an easing of wrist pain.

Good luck!

[Judy B]

Ah ah! I find myself stretching my back/shoulders pretty much as you have decribed after sitting too long here at the computer, also at the sewing machine and even the quilt frame. Perhaps I should do it before my back and shoulders tell me to. Thank you.

[Ann Louise Fetters]

These are all wonderful ways, and I shall try to encorporate them into the soup pot. I am starting to place a little 'Q' on my recital music to remind me to be 'quiet' in the movement. It seems to help Also, to loosen it and a tad of a shake as a child waves bye-bye. Shall place a 'Q' near my sewing chair, and pay attention to the restful reminder. ALSO, take that break!!!

[Gina E.]

This discussion has been so helpful. I have arthritis in both hands - well as neck, back and feet }: - ( and I'm always looking for ways to relieve the aches and pain. I have remedial massage fortnightly, concentrating on my neck and shoulders because of the reasons given above - long periods of time spent on computer and hunches over the embroidery frame!
My doctor said to keep up the embroidery, as it is gentle exercise that will prevent my fingers getting stiff later on in life. But she didn't tell me what to do when they ache after hours of stitching... I know now to give myself a break after a while. Have to go to the loo sometime!!

[Jan Lennie]

A tip from my friend (a physio) is to go back to being childish (not too difficult as I have an 8 year old daughter !!!) and play act 'Incy Wincy' spider - the hand motions for the spider work on the fingers and hands and if you stretch high and low for up and down the spout you're exercising shoulders and arms then at the part when the sun comes out make a rainbow with your arms for a big stretch
Works for me , lol !!!!

[Carol-Anne]

Many years ago my Nan had a frozen shoulder and the physio told her to do Incy Wincy spider up and down the wall several times a day, each time trying to go a little higher.

It worked too!

[Patricia Pearce]

Have had wonderful success with arnica oil - from a western american wildflower. Seems to gradually relax muscle aches, has also been good with bruises.