Is quilting therapy for anyone else out there? I have MS and my doctor told me 9 years ago to not think about what I couldn't do anymore but what I could do. As the list changed and the what I couldn't do got longer,I decided I would keep myself occupied with quilting so my hands would stay flexible.It's a lot easier than sitting in a corner waiting to get worse. My doctor tells his other patients to try needlework now too.

I have a little OCD and quilting is a time I can just relax. When I sit down at the frame, feel the fabric and look at my needle and thread, I just get so relaxed! I can't explain it, but it is a therapy for me.

Absolutely! I have RA and quilting keeps my fingers and joints in good shape.

Yes, I have many aches & pains, but the more I do, especially physically, the better off I am. I am now 67 & retired from teaching in 1996. I do more yard work, cleaning, etc. now than I did when I was younger. Just appreciate what you can do each day & whenever someone asks "how are you", I just answer "well, we got up today". Before I got into quilting, I could not sleep at night as my hands hurt so bad Quilting was definitely therapy for that & I got much better.

That's an excellent way to function. If you keep your mind in a positive frame of thought you're more apt to be more productive. A physical limitation can play tricks on the mind too.

Good to hear how therapeutic quilting is. :thumbup:

Sure is for me... Not physical therapy but definately mental therapy... Life's problem are put on hold for a little while when I get behind my machine.

We have a group of about 9 to 12 ladies who come together twice a week for THERAPY. aka: Escape. We all quilt (among other things.) Sewing of any kind has always been R&R for me. Physical and Mental

Me too. I have told this story before, but will repeat it for those who haven't heard it. My wrist doesn't bend much and my fingers get stiff and get cramps when I sew too much. I mentioned this to my doctor who knows my love of sewing. I told him I was having trouble sewing and knitting. He said, "Then maybe you ought not do that any more." My reply was, "Well, that's not going to happen." I have known him for years and he has seen my work so he understands what I mean. He didn't say a word.

It's mental therapy for me until I work on a nasty little quilt I'm finishing from my mil and it is not going well! I'm have decided to just finishing it no matter what and use it to death!

Quilting helped get me out of a deep depression about 10 years ago. When I startt to feel overwhelmed it helps if I can sew.

I realized this week, as I stayed inside the warm house quilting, that I now have 2 forms of "therapy" for my peace of mind. My horse therapy in the spring/summer and now quilting therapy for fall/winter when it is too cold out to ride. I may get aches & pains in this old body (bad neck, elbows, back, and so on), but I don't care because I'm super happy when I'm doing them! :D

It helps with my OCD and anxiety. When I go a few days without sewing my husband starts to notice a change in me and not a good one. 15 minutes to an hour a day of sewing is better than seeing any therapist or any pill I could take.

My quilting keeps me sane. The arthritis, carpal tunnel, splints, meds etc, etc drive me crazy.

I lost a leg 3 1/2 yrs ago, and have phantom pain, 24 - 7. Almost 2 years ago I feel in the bathroom and shattered my hip, so phantom pain is worse. I have shoulder pain from having a shoulder replacement 2 1/2 yrs. ago, carpal tunnel from typing for years as well as all the crafts I did. And depression because of all this. BUT, when I quilt, I don't think about the pain, it relaxes me. Gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Quite frankly before I got back into quilting, there were many days, I just wanted to end it all. Not anymore. It actually gives me a reason to live. And I thank God all the time that I can do this and so many other things. Oh,and by the way, I'm only 62 so have a lot of good years ahead of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a difficult group of fourth graders last year. The time spent quilting greatly helped my disposition. I was more motivated to keep all the papers graded and lesson plans up to date, so I could quilt. Boy did I quilt. :D

Good outlook! I too have MS and various other aches and pains, but I keep pushing myself. I can't walk any distance, but I can sew up a storm, and love hand work. My left hand is a bit of a challange, but I just make it work! I made 3 batches of raspberry jelly today, and had to pause between batches, but crocheted a scarf while resting my legs and back. I work daily on my hexigons. Working on 3rd hexy quilt. Keep up the good work. We can do it!!!

I have always called it my mental health therapy....it's also my prayer time. Once I go in my studio, I lose all track of time...it's as if I am in my own world.

I'm sure quilting helps the arthritis in my hands. The more I use them the better they feel. And it relaxes me so I'm happier.

I cannot sit/stand/ for any period of time unless I am in front of my machine. Quilting gives me a sense of accomplishment. I don't feel like I have anything to give to society except my quilts.

Depression can take over really fast when you find out that you have a serious medical problem and start losing all those abilities that you used to take for granted.I'm glad that you found a way to kick your depression right out the door . It still sneaks in once in a while,but we can be the ones in control, not the other way around.

I have some nerve damage left from chemo some years ago. I have seen some improvement since I started doing more hand sewing.

Yesterday I had a bad day with my back pain from OA. Had to make myself go out to do some grocery shopping, laundy and getting some Christmas things out. Nothing I tried would relieve the pain. Right before I went to bed I had to do some crafty things in my sewing room to take to work today. By the time I went to bed, my back felt better. Why didn't I go in there yesterday about 10AM. LOL

I know how easy it is to fall into depression with so many illnesses. I am on disability and cannot sit or stand or walk for any length of time. Years ago when I was young I used sewing as therapy because when I was creating I was calm. It still works but I let myself get defeated too easily with my back and hands hurting. This board keeps me encouraged. Thanks to al of you. I am working on s few things now with what is left of my stash and hopefully next year I will build some more. I find things at yard sales and thrift stores like curtains or sheets that are great for quilting.

This is the same for me. Years and years ago my mother told me that hand work (sewing, crocheting, knitting etc) are the best that women can do for their mental health, my doctor (not so many years aqo) told me the same. In doing this type of "therapy" I know it works.

Wow, I am so fortunate! Quilt away girl! Quilting is good for so many ailments. It keeps us busy being creative. God Bless you.

I think all these responses just show that when we do something we truly love, we relax, become more peaceful and are able to drop negative thoughts. After all, who can look at beautiful fabric, feel it under your fingers and NOT respond positively? I believe that quilting, for US, releases an enzyme in our brains that relaxes our soul because we love it so. Joy shows up no matter what else is going on.

The Bible says a merry heart doeth good like a medicine and whether you believe the Bible or not, it sure is a sound statement.

It sure is for me. I'm so much more relaxed and in a good mood when I quilt; I notice I get very jittery and antsy when I'm not quilting. Maybe that's why my husband lets me quilt as much as I want. LOL

I have Gaves Disease of which panic attacks and depression is the side effect. I turned to my sewing machine and it really lifted me up. My doctor is so impressed that sewing is better than taking meds for depression. She would ask her patients, "Do you sew?"

Keeping the mind active is a important part of aging. In all crafts you have to measure, count, follow a pattern and do some math. The sense of accomplishment is a plus. So we are not "playing" but doing therapy.

I love to quilt. Every part of it, but I find my best therapy is hand quilting. klgreeen I agree with you. The pain is worth it. Nice to meet you.

I have PTSD from my sons violent death when he was 13. Quilting and sewing tend to keep me sane and and on track if I skip a few days of sewing I get panic attacks. The doctor says different things work for different people when I am angry my quilts are bright and bold and filled with abstract slashes, when I am depressed they are darker and and somber when I am unaffected and happy they tend to be whimsical. I think quilting sooths my soul. It is the best therapy I have found!

I have MS also and my mother got me into quilting I think 3 years ago now. I wish I had started years ago. I have a Baby Lock Crown Jewel with a New Joy frame and a Brother that does almost everything but make coffee, LOL. I said to my DH that I 'm thinking I really want an embroidery machine now and god love him. He says to me you know this hobby of yours is a sickness. They have help for that, I said sure they do buy me the new machine Please. LOL

All of the above and at almost 83, then some. From sewing all my life I have learned patience, perseverance, sharing, money management, color coordination, peace and most of all, a great self pride and confidence for all the lovely things I have made.

klgreene, you surly have a lot on your plate. When I read stories like yours I feel like I am indeed very well off phylically! I will think of you next time I feel like complaining because my leg dosen't work so well.....God Bless you.

I also am only same due to my quilting, now I have my cousin
to thank that I go over to her house to sew. My daughter,and
her two kids, and expecting in Jan (all under 2) are with me and
if it wasn't for quilting, I think I would be in a deep depression.
I always even keep books at work so I can at least look at them at lunch time. Just stopping at the local Walmart and looking at fabric transforms me into the creativity mode, and
all worries go away...I thank God for this hobby.

I have difficult high school seniors who did not pass our state testing and don't want to listen or do anything. I also have an administration that is less than helpful. So, yes, quilting is great therapy for me.

After reading your posts, I feel like resuming them in those three worlds.

DONT QUIT, QUILT, that extra letter in the word quilt gives you the courage
and strength to face hardship, In French, the letter L is pronounced the same way than the worse *aile* which means wings , Keeping on quilting is giving you the wings to fly over difficulties. Keep on girls.

I have fibromyalgia along with being a perfectionist. I also take care of 3 of my grandkids 5,3,and 8 months 5 days a week 8-5:30. Quilting is sometimes my only sanity for the day.

Humbird....I do have a lot on my plate, but I do have a good attitude. the one thing that really bothers me, is I need help with my wheel chair getting it in and out of the car. But other than that, nothing stops me. I was down on my belly on Saturday fixing the tree skirt, not comfortable, but I wanted it done MY way. Maybe that's what helps me.....I am stubborn as a mule. Life is short and there are to many quilts I want to make, and to many things I want to do. As I sit here writing about my problems, I am watching Discovery Health channel. And there is a young man, with half a body. So no matter what is wrong with us....someone is so much worse off.

Life, love, and laugh for life is too short.

Do SO agree, have PMR and severe heart failure, without quilting and reading on a bad day it would be hell;it certainly is therapeutic and helps too.