I love my job ... really I do. BUT it is a job, which means I have to do it even when I don't feel like it and even when I am not feel well. AND even if I am having some physical problems. Which is what I want to talk about today.
I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and multiple trigger points along my right neck and shoulder.
I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and multiple trigger points along my right neck and shoulder.
I alway thought I would never have to deal with repetitive stress issues because I'm rarely in the same position for long. I'm at my cutting table, then the sewing machine, then the ironing board, then at a dress form and at the computer, too. But, last fall my entire right arm started going numb every night in bed. And sometimes my right hand would loose feeling while I worked. So, finally, I got myself to the doctor, who sent me to a physical therapist.
We all have projects that HAVE to get finished, even if sewing is done for pleasure, so I want to share some of the stuff I learned. Maybe you can avoid my problems or at least know what can be done, if you have similar issues.
We all have projects that HAVE to get finished, even if sewing is done for pleasure, so I want to share some of the stuff I learned. Maybe you can avoid my problems or at least know what can be done, if you have similar issues.
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I now own 4 wrist braces. They help a lot.
The first (beige) one is great for heavy work like gardening. But, a friend of mine had the more delicate pale blue one (made for women, by women!) so I bought one, loved it, and now own two so one can be washed while wearing the other. They get dirty really fast. So I've taken to cutting the fingers off a surgical glove and covering it while I work to keep it clean.
I can work all day with it on. It is very comfortable.
The first (beige) one is great for heavy work like gardening. But, a friend of mine had the more delicate pale blue one (made for women, by women!) so I bought one, loved it, and now own two so one can be washed while wearing the other. They get dirty really fast. So I've taken to cutting the fingers off a surgical glove and covering it while I work to keep it clean.
I can work all day with it on. It is very comfortable.
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Also, I am trying to pace myself while I work, breaking up the different tasks, so I'm not literally sewing for hours at a stretch like I used to do in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s without blinking an eye!!!
Now, if I have sewn for too long a period. I wrap my wrist with a ice pack for 15 minutes or so. I keep this in the freezer at the ready for when I'm sewing.
Now, if I have sewn for too long a period. I wrap my wrist with a ice pack for 15 minutes or so. I keep this in the freezer at the ready for when I'm sewing.
My 4th brace is for sleeping ... it keeps my wrist in a neutral position all night. Otherwise it will go numb.
My therapist and I talked about ways I could modify my workspace. She said it is best to work with your elbows by your side with your forearms at a right angle. So, I lowered my ironing board a bit since I use my sleeve board all the time which was requiring me to lift my elbow quite high when holding the iron.
Because of the trigger points in my shoulder I have gone back to using my lighter home iron as much as possible. The gravity feed iron only gets used when I must have LOTS of steam.
To save stress on my right wrist I bought the largest rotary mat I could find.
I use my right hand for scissors ...
But am really a lefty, so use my left have for rotary cutting, which I am doing as much as possible, even to cut patterns.
Although, that back fired on me. I was rotary cutting so much that my left shoulder started hurting so now I alternate scissors with my right hand and rotary with my left depending on how I'm feeling at the time.
Although, that back fired on me. I was rotary cutting so much that my left shoulder started hurting so now I alternate scissors with my right hand and rotary with my left depending on how I'm feeling at the time.
Last and really, really not least is stretching and warming up everyday.
This whole experience has made me think of sewing as an Olympic Sport. We need to warm up, sew smartly and cool down with ice, if necessary. There are lots of suggested hand, wrist and arm stretches to be found on line. And doing them is probably never bad.
BUT, please, if you are having problems that won't go away. Go to a professional. They can tell you what's best for your specific problems and massage you, etc. There are more things that can be done, that I may have to resort to. The first is a cortisone shot and then final solution is surgery to release the carpal tunnel, which I really, really, really don't want to do, although many people have said it is a routine treatment. I just don't like knives. For now, I'm managing.
Please write in, if you have dealt with similar issues and have devised ways of dealing. I feel your pain ... or numbness ... !
This whole experience has made me think of sewing as an Olympic Sport. We need to warm up, sew smartly and cool down with ice, if necessary. There are lots of suggested hand, wrist and arm stretches to be found on line. And doing them is probably never bad.
BUT, please, if you are having problems that won't go away. Go to a professional. They can tell you what's best for your specific problems and massage you, etc. There are more things that can be done, that I may have to resort to. The first is a cortisone shot and then final solution is surgery to release the carpal tunnel, which I really, really, really don't want to do, although many people have said it is a routine treatment. I just don't like knives. For now, I'm managing.
Please write in, if you have dealt with similar issues and have devised ways of dealing. I feel your pain ... or numbness ... !
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