Don't Injure Your Wrists While Crocheting.

Hello avid crocheters,

Crafters get carried away. Isn't it? If you knit, you keep on knitting; if you are fond of doing embroidery, you keep working at it. Same goes for crocheting too. Once you start a crochet project, you keep crocheting until the project is complete, you loose interest in it or your hands are really tired. While this may sound like a good trait, the problem with crocheting or doing the same activity for long durations is that it injures the body parts repeating the same actions.

Though doing the same activity for extended periods of time takes its toll on people of all age groups, middle aged and older individuals are particularly vulnerable. The root cause is that performing the same action for hours together tires out the muscles involved in that activity. For instance, muscles of the wrist, thumb and forefinger bear the brunt of extensive crocheting.

If the same action as in crocheting is repeated frequently for many days, hands suffer from repetitive stress injury (RSI) or the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Initial slight pain aggravates putting the individual out of action for long durations. Hand movements become difficult. Fingers may swell and become stiff. Other symptoms may include tingling or soreness in wrists, pain in the elbows, neck, shoulders and back due to extended hours of poor sitting posture, inadequate lighting and/or crocheting intricate patterns with fine yarn. Severe injuries may even wake you up in the middle of the night.

Be informed about symptoms, risks, causes, treatment, expenses involved, and related statistics about RSI and CTS. I found some sites worth visiting. Here they are:

http://www.rsi-therapy.com/statistics.htm

http://www.thehelpinghand.com/rsi/rsi.htm

http://www.thehelpinghand.com/links/ilinks.htm

The point is, RSI and CTS sufferers are unable to practice a much cherished activity.

Simple steps go a long way in keeping hands healthy, strong and supple for you to continue crocheting.

• To begin with, take hourly breaks for at least 10 minutes. I know, it's difficult to put the hook down especially when an afghan has to be finished in time for your child's birthday. But, isn't it better to crochet for smaller durations so you can work on the project everyday, rather than get tired so much that the doctor instructs you not to even look at the hook for several days?

• When taking a break, do some stretching exercises, adjust your seating area, refocus your eyes, take a glass of water, a cup of tea or coffee, or a fruit so the body remains energetic. Taking frequent breaks prevents the muscles from getting cramped by being in the same position.

• Always be on the look out of the symptoms. Put away the yarn and hook the moment you experience even slightest tension in the hand or elsewhere. Rest for sometime before getting back to it. If the problem persists, start afresh next morning.

• Another way of avoiding injury is to wear wrist braces so the working muscles are warm saving them from becoming cold or numb. Portable hand warmers to be used outdoors are also available.

• Pay attention to lighting especially when crocheting in the evening. Poor lighting makes you strain more adding to the stress your body already might be going through.

• Maintain healthy eating habits to avoid problems occurring due to nutritional deficiency.

• Make sure the place where you often crochet is ergonomically designed and falls in line with the shape of your body.

• Remember the regular manicure session. Not only does it clean your hands, the massage and exercises involved also relax the muscles. That your hands look beautiful while crocheting goes without saying!

• If the situation worsens, remember to consult your doctor, and take proper medication and/or exercise as suggested.

Enjoy stretching hands and crocheting!