Taking a Break From Crafting
Or Allowing One's Wrists/Hands Rest to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries
The unthinkable has happened. I am stepping away from knitting and crochet. But I have a good reason!
What is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
Repetitive strain injuries (for short RSIs) can be common among those who do the same small fine motor functions often — such as crocheters and knitters. I am currently dealing with (self-diagnosed) carpal tunnel symptoms1 in my right hand/wrist, and thus have put myself on a rest break to prevent them from getting worse.
My symptoms include tingling and numbness in my fingers and wrist, as well as actual pain in those areas, if you are curious. If not, sorry for the excess of information there.
I wouldn’t say I’ve been knitting or crocheting more than I usually do lately, and since it’s in my right hand/wrist I’m not blaming the symptoms solely on crafting time. I am right handed, and naturally I use it for most things. I’ve been writing in my journal more recently, and started coloring again. So all in all, this hand and wrist have been working some overtime.I’ve also noticed a tendency to lean on my right elbow when in my chair working on a project or playing a game on my phone or iPad which could probably be a factor in all this mess.
While I am not a doctor and can’t say with any certainty that these things did cause carpal tunnel symptoms, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that they played a part based on what I know about RSIs.
There are ways that you can help prevent the symptoms (or at least the frequency/severity) and still keep knitting or crocheting.
Prevention Ideas:
One such way to prevent RSIs is to do hand and wrist stretches to warm up your muscles before starting to do your craft of choice. I often do wrist circles and flex my fingers before, during, and after. If you do a quick search on YouTube there are tons of videos with routines to help stretch your crafting muscles (the literal ones).
For stretching my whole body to give it a break during marathon knitting or crochet sessions I like to follow along with a Yoga With Adriene video. She even has a couple routines that are great for people who sit all day!
Another way to help keep RSIs at bay (heehee, it rhymed) is to take breaks while you’re crafting. This is definitely part of my problem. I know I have been doing crafting marathons recently without stopping to give my hands and wrists a rest every so often. But pausing in what you are doing once every hour or so is far more productive in the long term than pushing through to finish something will be.
Actually, switching up what motions you are doing can also help. For example, switching from crochet to knit or vice versa. That being said, in my non-medical professional opinion, I doubt that switching up the craft every hour or so is really the best way to prevent RSIs. It may help, but you’re still using those fine motor muscles and those will get tired out eventually!
Making sure you have good posture and ergonomics while you are knitting or crocheting can also help you limit RSIs. I only use crochet hooks with ergonomic handles (Clove Amours are my favorites!) and primarily use circular knitting needles to help even out the weight of a project so it doesn’t end up on one needle or the other causing me to strain one hand more. I find by using these particular tools I am able to crochet/knit longer with less fatigue in my hands/wrists.
I’m the type of person who sits crossed legged on any chair I can as a default, or with my leg(s) curled up under me. I don’t sit up straight without thinking about it, and, as previously mentioned, I tend to lean on the arms of chairs while I am in them. So, sitting with correct posture is a “do as I advise, and not as I do” situation.
Rest is Key to Recovery:
Right now the best thing I can do for my hand/wrist is to let the tendons and muscles rest and have a chance to heal. Which is frustrating and not at all what I want.
Of course, not knitting or crocheting for a few days isn’t going to end the world. At least, not my world. (There are other things in the universe taking care of that.) But they are coping mechanisms I use to help alleviate some of my ADHD/anxiety symptoms (like constantly fidgeting). It feels weird to not do either as that’s what I am accustomed to doing everyday.
I am also wearing a brace (mostly at night) to help keep me from over extending the muscles and tendons in my wrist with out realizing it. The brace is a tool that is often recommended when looking up at home remedies for carpal tunnel. I don’t think it cures it, but it does help my recovery from an episode of it!
I would also be remiss to not mention that carpal tunnel syndrome, in particular, can also just be something one deals with, even without the repetitive strain. My mom has always slept in a brace for as long as I can remember because of carpal tunnel symptoms. She even had surgery to help correct it. She’s not a knitter or crocheter, or really did any thing that would cause an RSI (to my knowledge — Mom, feel free to correct me in the comments).
According to the Mayo Clinic’s article on carpal tunnel2, those with smaller carpal tunnels have a higher chance of developing the syndrome, as well as several other factors. Other medical conditions or even a broken/strained wrist could contribute to the development.
Again, I’m not a doctor. I am not here to give you medical advice. I simply wanted to share with you something I am dealing with and ways to (hopefully) not end up like me. When I am focused on my body and doing the tips I shared, I rarely cause my self an RSI.
So I guess that’s the real advice here — listen to your body and when it is saying “I’m tired, please stop” — stop.
I’m curious, what are some ways you prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries? How do you deal with them when they occur?
I’ll see you at my next post,
Katie