I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and multiple trigger points along my right neck and shoulder.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ... !