Sewing by hand = hand pain
10-28-2010, 10:53 AM
#11
Google Goddess
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central Indiana (USA)
Posts: 30,181
thanks for the links
Originally Posted by Prism99
If this happened to me, I would switch to an all-machine binding method. Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows how to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related
My fingers are odd lengths, so I have found that hand sewing of any kind causes cramping very quickly. Since I like applique, I have switched to machine applique methods and been very happy with it. Sharon Schamber has hand tremors, so she worked on developing her machine skills to extraordinary heights.
I guess my thought is that pain is an early warning sign that the activity may not be good for the individual body, so it is better to find ways of doing things that do not cause pain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5vzkuGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRfA...eature=related
My fingers are odd lengths, so I have found that hand sewing of any kind causes cramping very quickly. Since I like applique, I have switched to machine applique methods and been very happy with it. Sharon Schamber has hand tremors, so she worked on developing her machine skills to extraordinary heights.
I guess my thought is that pain is an early warning sign that the activity may not be good for the individual body, so it is better to find ways of doing things that do not cause pain.
10-28-2010, 11:06 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
as with any new activity a little discomfort is normal...if you haven't ran a step in years and decide to race your child to the end of the road, chances are your legs are going to tell you about it...maybe for days...use eases the pain, really. if i go a couple months with no hand work my fingers will literally cramp up and my wrist swells, it's ugly...i kind of ease back into it...use what ever pain reliever works for you, use a good lotion, or ointment, sew for maybe 15 minutes and put it down, go back hours later and do another 15 minutes, after some time you will find you can sew as long as you want without the residual discomfort. and as long as you stick with it you should be ok.
I know a retired surgeon, he has been a fabulous hand piecer/quilter for years, he said it's how he kept his fingers nimble to be able to preform surgery well.
and all that being said...if you already are dealing with arthritis...still doing it as much as possible will help keep you using your hands, fingers, but it will probably always hurt a bit. don't over do it to the point where you are really hurting for days...take it easy and do it in little time spurts.
I know a retired surgeon, he has been a fabulous hand piecer/quilter for years, he said it's how he kept his fingers nimble to be able to preform surgery well.
and all that being said...if you already are dealing with arthritis...still doing it as much as possible will help keep you using your hands, fingers, but it will probably always hurt a bit. don't over do it to the point where you are really hurting for days...take it easy and do it in little time spurts.
10-28-2010, 12:43 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 3,877
When I do a lot of hand sewing my arm really acts up. Here's a brace that is similar to the one I use especially when I'm hand quilting. Its keeps your hand in the correct position, so less stress. Maybe you'll want to check out something like it if you feel carpal tunnel will be an issue.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/produ...entPage=family
http://www.sportsauthority.com/produ...entPage=family
10-29-2010, 06:40 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,376
There is also a product called Celadrin creme. I originally got it from Avon (believe it or not!) but it is available at the drug store. I think it is less expensive than BioFreeze. It also has a milder odor which dissipates almost immediately.
When you first use it you will have to be patient. You may not notice anything with the first application, but it WILL work and builds up to work more quickly after a little bit. It is also a natural substance.
Just thought you would like to know about an alternative. I have used both. My daughter is a physical therapist and uses BioFreeze with her patients all the time.
quote=littlehud]
Yes indeed, Biofreeze great stuff! Only available here at Physical Therapy place. About 12 dollars a tube, but goes a long way and worth it.
I love Biofreeze. I can get it at the drug stores here. Works better than anything I've ever tried.[/quote]
When you first use it you will have to be patient. You may not notice anything with the first application, but it WILL work and builds up to work more quickly after a little bit. It is also a natural substance.
Just thought you would like to know about an alternative. I have used both. My daughter is a physical therapist and uses BioFreeze with her patients all the time.
quote=littlehud]
Originally Posted by Latrinka
Originally Posted by wolfkitty
I use a great product called Biofreeze. It's kind of similar to IcyHot, but I think it works better and doesn't smell as strong.
10-29-2010, 12:12 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern New Hampshire
Posts: 1,936
Originally Posted by Hinterland
I do a lot of hand sewing. If my hand begins to hurt while appliquing, I change needles, usually switching to a straw needle. My hand rarely hurts when I hand quilt, unless I prick myself. :(
My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.
My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.
Sounds like you ladies are experiencing some early Carpal Tunnel and arthritic symptoms. I have both and find the brace helps when at rest, impossible to hand sew with it on, and the use of topical medications helps relieve the pain. You may want to check with your doctor to make sure there isn't some early intervention medications that could bring you some relief. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.
Good Luck,
Andie :D :D :D
10-29-2010, 12:17 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Westminster, Co
Posts: 2,675
Originally Posted by desertrose
Originally Posted by Hinterland
I do a lot of hand sewing. If my hand begins to hurt while appliquing, I change needles, usually switching to a straw needle. My hand rarely hurts when I hand quilt, unless I prick myself. :(
My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.
My hands usually don't hurt, but my wrist will bother me from time to time. I blame the computer for that - I use one all day at work. If it hurts a lot I use a wrist brace, even wearing it to bed. It keeps the wrist straight and helps ease the pain.
Sounds like you ladies are experiencing some early Carpal Tunnel and arthritic symptoms. I have both and find the brace helps when at rest, impossible to hand sew with it on, and the use of topical medications helps relieve the pain. You may want to check with your doctor to make sure there isn't some early intervention medications that could bring you some relief. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.
Good Luck,
Andie :D :D :D
10-29-2010, 12:22 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 941
Originally Posted by desertrose
. I've had to accept that if I wish to continue quilting I have to change the length of my sessions. I perfer to do this instead of quit quilting all together.
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