Are you propping up your wrists while typing? Using the mouse? Perhaps some carpal tunnel excercises/stretches will help you.

Sometimes my hands cramp up and I like to steeple my fingers (touch the tips of left and right) then spread my fingers. Then push my hands together.

That's a lot of knitting to do in one weekend, though, if you throw. Perhaps this may be incentive to learn the other method you normally don't use, just to distribute the wear and tear.

Are you propping up your wrists while typing? Using the mouse? Perhaps some carpal tunnel excercises/stretches will help you.

Sometimes my hands cramp up and I like to steeple my fingers (touch the tips of left and right) then spread my fingers. Then push my hands together.

That's a lot of knitting to do in one weekend, though, if you throw. Perhaps this may be incentive to learn the other method you normally don't use, just to distribute the wear and tear.

I agree with Freecia regarding the typing aspect. Also, for me, the mouse action has caused more problems in the past than typing.

Regarding knitting - have you though about trying the opposite of how you normally knit? For example, if knit English, maybe you could learn Continental to give your hands a different motion? Or vice versa. I knit Continental and have had few issues. I also realize I am proposing what is tantamount to a Religious Conversion, though. :-)

I agree with Freecia regarding the typing aspect. Also, for me, the mouse action has caused more problems in the past than typing.

Regarding knitting - have you though about trying the opposite of how you normally knit? For example, if knit English, maybe you could learn Continental to give your hands a different motion? Or vice versa. I knit Continental and have had few issues. I also realize I am proposing what is tantamount to a Religious Conversion, though. :-)

Hm, Cuz. I'm kind of an expert on carpal tunnel-type symptoms ... hazard of my profession. Do you have good ergonomics (Stephanie laughed at me when we were in her hotel room blogging one night, when I instinctively got in as good ergonomics as possible...and the other two were sitting on the bed in a crunched-up mess look at their laptop! She said, "Look at Norma in her little court reporter posture!") A gel wrist-rest helps tremendously. and a variety of movements/exercises. When it's gardening season, I really beat up my hands, but on the other hand, I have less pain in my work. Same with the yoga. I actually think the knitting helps with my work, too. I was disabled back in the early '90s, so I learned the hard way: Take it easy. If it starts to hurt, back off -- as hard as that is to do sometimes. But when it is acutely inflamed (can you take ibuprofen? I am allergic, so I can't) sleeping with those wrist supports that you can get at most drugstores now really help, too.

Some of the best advice that physical therapy husband guy ever gave me? Wrist pain (yes, including carpal tunnel) comes from the neck. When my wrists hurt from knitting, he had me stretch my neck. Pull your head back to make the doublest double chin you can, and hold the stretch for ten seconds. Repeat ten times a few times a day. It may not work for anyone but me, but it did take care of my wrist pain completely.

I'm having the same problem and you may want to visit the doctor just to be sure its not carpal tunnel. In the meantime, use an ergonomic keyboard and wear a splint at night. Sometimes sleeping on your arms/wrist can cause a problem.

Going even further up the skeleton, an enormous amount of body tension can originate in your jaw. Seriously, clenching your jaw can make everything else wind itself up like a philharmonic bowstring. There's a great yoga release called "lion face" where you scrunch your face up and then stretch your jaw wide, stick out your tongue and bug your eyes.

Especially fun to do on public transportation!

Going even farther up the skeleton, an enormous amount of body tension can originate in your jaw. Seriously, clenching your jaw can make everything else wind itself up like a philharmonic bowstring. There's a great yoga release called "lion face" where you scrunch your face up and then stretch your jaw wide, stick out your tongue and bug your eyes.

Especially fun to do on public transportation!

Hi :) the colours are just wonderful - if I would allow myself to buy more yarn this year :)) I would pick up exactly the same colour ...
all the best for your wrists ...
regards
celestine

Hi :) the colours are just wonderful - if I would allow myself to buy more yarn this year :)) I would pick up exactly the same colour ...
all the best for your wrists ...
regards
celestine

Came here looking for the Potter sweater and saw your post on hand/arm pain.

I had similar symptoms. I have worn the wrist splint, the handwork gloves, knit continental, used an ergonomic keyboard. After avoiding the issue for years, I finally went to my doctor, who sent me to a neurologist, who hooked me up to a machine which sent electrical shocks through my arms (not painful, just weird). The verdict was carpal tunnel. I was given the option of 1) surgery or 2) stop knitting/crocheting.

This is going to sound so lame, but try B6. I finally caved, against my better judgement, after being pressured by my mom. After a lifetime of being a guinea pig for Mom's always well-intentioned but sadly lacking in scientific back-up health fads, I was very, very reluctant to try anything she suggested. More than half of Mom's suggestions are 1) foul tasting 2) possibly harmful and 3) don't work. However, it was either the B6 or the surgery. Besides, it came in the form of little white pills (no smell or taste) and nothing I'd found on Google indicated that there was any harm in taking a moderate dose.

There was improvement after a week. There doesn't seem to be a consensus on why it works, although there are tons of google articles which you can wade through if you're interested. Give it a try and see if you get the same results.

I always end up with hand and wrist pain if I type too long on a laptop keyboard -- getting a full sized keyboard to use with my laptop made all the different in the world!