What do you do for sore, tired, and achy hands? I really depend on my Homedics paraffin bath--the heat is soothing and penetrating and the paraffin helps moisturize my hands and nails. (Warning: people with diabetes or nerve damage should check with their doctor before using one.) I'm interested to know what other quilters do to keep their hands mobile and pain free.

Move, move, move!!! If I stop moving my hands they get all stiff and sore.

I have a special squeeze ball that I work with everyday to keep my hands limber.

My mother has pretty bad arthritis in her hands and she also uses the parafin bath, in addition to support braces and meds.

I do the paraffin wax dips also...I use to have hand therapy with these, and just love them. I bought my own stuff to do it at home now....bought it at walmart years ago.

If I am not wearing my quilting gloves I wear a craft glove, the kind with the fingers off on my right hand. It keeps it warmer and really seems to help. If my hands are still sore then I have a balm, that is from Koala Brand. It is a blend of herbs and eucalyptus. It really works wonders. It is smelly, like menthol, but my hands feel so much better when I use it. There is probably something similar at the drugstore. I got this at a craft show.

A naproxen (Aleve) also helps a lot. But please take it with food. Otherwise you may end up with an ulcer or hole in your stomach. Ask me how I know.

I get my hands nice and warm first thing in the morning, then do gentle stretches. I do this off/on throughout the day if they start to ache/feel stiff.
I also have a small soft ball that I roll between my hands, it is like a massage. :D:D:D

It ain't pretty what I do !!!

Watkins medicated ointment...but my hands don't get sore and stiff very often

For some reason, having someone else massage cream/ointment/whatever into your hands is incredibly relaxing - my daughter does a great job, too bad she lives so far away!