The pain shoots down my index finger and thumb and pops like lightning in my lower arm just below my elbow. The wrist is fragile and weak, my upper arm is buzzing with low grade pain. My shoulder is stiff and my neck makes funny noises... I am in crochet pain - again!
My doctor's orders are rest and treatment. No crochet for a while. And if I have to, because I just can't stay away, I will have to make it "crochet tummy time". You heard me right. Tummy time it is. I can lay down on my tummy with a pillow under my chest and crochet for 5 minutes. It is all about keeping the neck up high, you see.
My chiropractor told me she can't do miracles. She looked me steady in the eye and made it very clear that she alone can't fix this, but together we can. So like I child being giving strict orders I have chosen to obey.
I am stretching and doing my exercises every day. I am looking at my WiPs and ignoring them. I had so many "almost done" projects on my hands... The V-stitch blanket (just a few rows left), the Lacy Square pillow (just 2 more sides to join), Maybelle garlands (just the joining of flowers left to do)... Now they all have to wait.
I am frustrated and restless, being on crochet withdrawal is tough. I am taking one day at the time in hope to get better soon. So my advice to you:
♥︎ Don't ignore crochet pain for too long
♥︎ Don't crochet for hours on end
♥︎ Take breaks and do a Crochet Stretch
♥︎ Be careful with your neck, try and crochet in the height of your shoulders to keep the neck straight. ♥︎ Rest your arms on a pillow on your lap to bring your work up or sit at the dining table.
♥︎ If you already are in pain, go visit a chiropractor or physio therapist for treatment and take a break for a few days or weeks.
Crochet pain sucks. But the last time this happened I couldn't crochet in almost 6 months. I will do anything it takes to avoid that disaster to happen again. Well, I guess I might just have to escape to my sewing machine again. And maybe I will finish some of all those patchwork WiPs that has been lying in slumber like Sleeping Beauties. There is always a silver lining, right?
Kärlek
Annette
Note: Read about good Crochet Stretches in my blog post 8 Great Crochet Stretches.
Hey Annette,
ReplyDeleteI sympathize with you, because I know and I have such pain; (
I had to put a large crochet work, I went back to knitting, alternately.
Often I used various ointments, stretching, etc.
He helped me best "BenGay".
Often I look up to you, I admire your work;))
I wish you good health,
Krystyna :)
Annette, I understand you. 3 years ago, I hade the same thing with my shoulder. Bonne chance et prennez soin de vous.
ReplyDeleteLucie
I know it's very frustrating. Sending healing thoughts your way! Hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteOh that is unfortunate, I hope you get better soon!
ReplyDeleteOh Annette, that's really sad. :-( But please don't crochet until your neck and arm feels better. Health always come first, You can browse pinterest and visit blogs till then for some inspirations, once you're fine you can crochet your day away. :-)
ReplyDeleteGet better soon!
"A get well soon" hug! ;-)
-Ranjitha
Oh dear, get better soon and be careful not to aggravate it. I've been off craft for weeks and am now trying little bits again after aggravating an old elbow problem by kneading bread too often.
ReplyDeleteAww Annette... I know that pain. I had that pain for a few weeks at a stretch and it did suck! Please do take care, rest plenty and feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips... precious!
Love,
Ruth
Oh No! I am so sorry to hear that you are in pain. I am praying for your quick recovery. I know how hard it must be to have to take a break from doing what you love. Hugs!
ReplyDelete:( Hope you are feeling better soon. x
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. I hope that you can fix it soon! xx
ReplyDeletePoor you, I hope it mend's very quickly. I do like the silver lining though.... have fun :-)
ReplyDeleteTracey xxx
I feel for you because I have been there too but mine was pain in my thumb joints which I foolishly ignored. I had to use hand splints at night, it was so bad I couldn't even write properly and had to hold my pen in a different way. It took more than a year to improve, now it's much better but I have learnt to restrict my crocheting and knitting to short periods only, very frustrating but better than not being able to do it at all. Hope you have caught it in time and that you have a speedy recovery. xx
ReplyDeleteSo sad for you Annette! Rest, take care and distract your self with other interesting activities!!!!!
ReplyDeletehugs and xxxxxxx, Ale
I am sorry.
ReplyDeleteI kind of know a little how you feel because i have a problem with my shoulder. Probably because of how i sit, or rather slouch
I also hope you have a really speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Gail.
Oh no, how dreadful for you. It's too easy to start a little crochet project and before you know it a couple of hours have gone by. I crochet at a table or with a cushion under my right arm to keep it up but have to be careful. I hope you recover soon.
ReplyDeleteS xx
Oh Annette, that's the worst! I truly feel that there's almost nothing worse than enforced separation from one's crochet! You are right to take it seriously though as that sort of repetitive strain can lead to permanent injury. I hope your hand heals soon and you can get back into it.
ReplyDeleteYour ruffle cushion is beautiful by the way... looking at that photo makes me want to start one, despite the fact that I am 90% finished with a cushion of my own (which I recently cast aside in order to start on something new.)
oh no! i hope you feel better soon! take care of yourself.
ReplyDeletemy right thumb gets sore from crocheting. i've got to pay more attention to that. its hard to not crochet/knit! so many things to make, so many things!
Oh gosh, now I know what is causing the pain. It is as you describe. I am new to crochet and had not thought of that as being the reason. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteInte roligt alls! Nu när sommaren kommer är det ju så härligt att sitta ute och virka! Nu börjar min virksäsong! Hoppas att du snart blir bra!
ReplyDeletePoor you!
ReplyDeleteI can understand what you mean with crochet pain, I have the same.
My chiropractor wanted to see me every week for months.
But anyway the call of crochet or needle is too strong.
Take care.
Miss xx
Oh nooo, hope you'll be better soon! I sat with an elbow for a while, but luckily could continue. Great (unplanned) advantage of my Pole Conditioning class is greatly improved strength in my elbows, wrists and generally arms. Can really feel the difference!
ReplyDeleteOh no, that sounds horrible! Yes, you must take a great deal of care of yourself, 6 months without crochet is far too much. WIPs can wait until you are better my lovely! ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteS x
I have been right where you are, it was knitting pain for me and I was so depressed. Can you sew? Can you read? Just something to pass the time until you are all rested up and ready to go again?
ReplyDeleteGet better,
Meredith
Wishing you a speedy recovery! I totally understand the crochet withdrawals, due to carpal tunnel syndrome, I had years, y-e-a-r-s I couldn't crochet, but for a few minutes at a time, finally from frustration I gave it up, till I finally went to a specialist, thankfully I can crochet again but I still have limits, and I know not to push it or I'll regret it. One tip that has helped me a lot is crochet hooks with the big handles, I've covered most of mine with polymer clay. Taking breaks and the pillow helps too. Nothing makes you want to crochet more, than not being able too. Hope you have a very speedy recovery!!!
ReplyDeleteAj, aj, det var tråkigt att höra att du har så ont och inte kan virka. Göm nu undan alla virknålar så att du inte blir frestad. Det är ju tur att du har din symaskin och troligen också en hög med UFO:n (det har i alla fall jag) som nu har en chans att bli klara.
ReplyDeleteKrya på dig.
Kram
Look after yourself. I hope you get well soon. X
ReplyDeleteI also know that pain, what helped me was to change activity after some hours, sewing machine, knitting, reading. And i went to my osteophaat and my footreflexologe . The last one did really good work. Maybe you could find one too....
ReplyDeleteBe patient and relaxe that also will help.
Hugs from France,
Baukje
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeletegrrrr and booooooo to crochet pain, what a bummer :( Really hope you are on the mend soon,
Jill xo
I have been on everything restriction because I had shoulder surgery. It has been beyond painful and boring! I'm just starting to be able to knit and read, and this weekend I'm going to try some applique and my favorite, quilting! Take care...
ReplyDeleteOh Annette! I'm so sorry :-( I hope you'll get well soon and the pain will go away given plenty of rest. You're a great inspiration to me, I love your patterns, I just started Maybelle Flowers blanket - and I will post a picture on your Facebook when I'm done. Great big hug from me to you :-)
ReplyDeleteDaisy
Sorry to hear about what you're going through. Do what you need to so that you can get better and get back to crafting. I've found that it helps to use this time to gather inspiration for projects, make journals / albums of old projects, etc.
ReplyDeleteOh I feel your pain, for about 3 weeks I have, for other reasons, been unable to chrochet, I just hate that.
ReplyDeleteHope you will get better soon
Take Care Annette....Your village looks sooooo beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSumitha
I am a Michigan Chiropractor that loves to crochet! I find that wearing a "compression glove" (sold at Michaels and JoAnn's here in the USA) does wonders to prevent fatigue in the wrist and fingers. Yes, you must take frequent breaks. Another preventative measure is to use an ice pack on the "tired" areas, when you settle for the night. It can be also helpful to massage and flex your fingers, wrist, etc. just don't overdo it. I wish you the best in your recovery, and I just love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI can really sympathise too, I'm sure the way I'm sitting when crocheting is causing my back ache,( sitting curled over to one side) it's so easy to keep going and not listening to your body. Hope you are feeling better soon and on the road to recovery. X
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon! I am recuperating from carpal tunnel release surgery, and I know how hard it is to not pick up your hook! Have you seen an orthopaedic doctor to discuss other treatment options? Just a thought....your symptoms sound a little different than mine were. I still have to have my other hand operated on in July. Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you have such a pain, unfortunately I recognize it. :-(
ReplyDeleteHope you will be better soon.
I hope you start feeling better soon! It's frustrating to have WIPS sitting around and not being able to work on them. Hang in there! :)
ReplyDelete______
Lee Ann
Crochet...Gotta Love It! Blog:
http://crochetgottaloveit.blogspot.com
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