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I am a hand quilter. Two days each week. I use Aspercreme (Odor Free). Rub into your skin as you would hand cream. I put on more than once each time and continue to massage until totally absorbed by my skin.......Do not put heat after using this creme.........I get good results........

Healthy Quilting

Quote:

Originally Posted by klgreene

I see a chiropractor. It's amazing what they can do. I very recently fell off my sewing chair. Dumb move! I thought I sprained my wrist, so just wrapped it. After almost two weeks the pain was still there so just went to my chiropractor. It was jammed, he sneeked up on me and unjammed it ( that was yesterday) today, I am going to do some sewing, which I haven't been able to do for almost two weeks. He adjusted my fingers as well. No pills, no doctor telling me it would take a while to get better....just and adjustment and I feel really good. Works on my shoulders too after sewing to long.

This is a GOOD thing. I popped my knee rolling my sewing chair across the floor. It got worse and worse. Chiro fixed it. Took a while - but they work wonders.

I wear Magnetic bracelets. I know that they have been poo pooed but for me they work. And you always know where your needle and pins are if you lose them too. Comfrey salve also works. It may be mind over matter but I don't care, I can hand quilt with this stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanna-up-north

WoW!! You all have a lot of wonderful suggestions. I rested it yesterday..... did dishes in hot water, massaged the hand and did flexing exercises. It feels some better this morning. The joint right next to my wrist is always tender and if I knit it will get so sore that I can hardly move it. So, something is going on in there. I probably will check with a chiropractor or my medical dr. Thanks you guys..... you all always have great suggestions for what to do.

That is where I jammed it. So there is always the posibility yours is slightly jammed. I was also told to put ice, not heat on it. Ice reduces swelling, heat may loosen muscles but then makes it swell. You could do the 20 min. heat to loosen, then 20 min ice. and repeat that a couple times. I only do that if my back muscles are really bad. I usually just ice.

Someone and I can't remember who said that their hand tingles. That's probably carpal tunnel, and the vitamins someone else posted work very well. As well as using a wrist splint. I actually slept with one for two years so that I didn't bend my wrist at night, and now I very seldom have the problem. I still do, but I"ll do anything to keep from getting another surgery. And taking any meds if I can get away with it.

Streching exercises and some anti-inflammatories should help some.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanna-up-north

I've been handquilting 3-4 hours every day for the past couple of weeks. After a hour this morning, my thumb started hurting so I stopped to do some other things. Do any of you have that problem? What have you tried?

I'm curious what technique you use to hand quilt. I use my thumb nail to push my needle, and I have the same problem. Been really trying to change the way I quilt, but to no avail. I'd think advil/motrin would alleviate some of the pain, and I don't think you should just try to work through it without taking a break.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisalovesquilting

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamby

While on this subject ladies. What finger cot do you recommend for your thumb while hand quilting? I have been using the fingers out of platex gloves but I seem to continue to stick my thumb.

I use the rubber cots that are use at the post office or in offices for sorting papers. You can get them at Office Depot or stores like that.

Wow, I did not think about that. I will be making a trip to Staples. What a great idea.

There are many wonderful suggestions listed. Just be sure to REST your thumb. I pushed thru pain for way too long and had to have MAJOR surgery. Take Care!!

I had to quit most hand work because of my thumbs. I don't have arthritis in the rest of my hands. So I'm grateful for that. I had to give up knitting, crocheting, hand applique. But, let me tell you, the sewing machine can do wonders. I became very proficient at FMQ on my domestic. Then I bought a longarm, a Tin Lizzie, and now quilt up a storm on that. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Cynthia

Rest is the the answer, but I also use a hand support that I bought at Wal-Mart. It just fits very tightly on my hand and makes it feel better. - Cynthia