Does this ever happen to you? Sometimes when I'm using my rotary cutter my hand will cramp up so bad I can't hardly move it. It's very painful,doesn't last too long but hurts like the devil.Is it old age setting in or what? What do you do? I just keep on keeping on.

Hey Bev, Get yourself a stress ball to squeeze or a set of those Chinese balls they roll around in one hand.
You could also try, now don't laugh, massaging WD40 into your hands.
Yes, Mr Ritis is no stranger and my hands kill me when they cramp, but I will try anything and everything so I can keep doing things I like, and that means keeping your hands busy for as long as humanly possible because once your fingers lose their flexibility the pain becomes much worse and you lose the feeling in your fingers and can't do a lot of the finer things we crafters so love to do.
Remember when we were kids, how we used to play with our hands?
Here is the church, here is the steeple, open up the doors and here's all the people?
Well that is just one exercise that helps.
Another is::: put your hands together as in prayer, interlock your fingers then keeping them together push your hands out in front and facing away from you, then gently push your hands even further, flexing your fingers a little backwards towards you. Do this slowly at first as it may be a little painful, but keep doing it a couple of times, increasing until you are up to ten repetitions, you will be amazed at how it will help your flexibility in your hands and give you relief from the worse pain.
And yes, ergonomic cutters, scissors, kitchen utensils, etc. all help as we get older, but nothing helps as much as a good exercise.

I loathe peeling veggies and crocheting was becoming very painful, but I started playing with my hands as above and I am finding the pain and cramps way less severe. This from someone who had to wear magnetic gloves to bed every night in order to use my hands the next day. The fingers on my left hand have already started turning south and I even considered splinting them to keep them straight, but I think the new regime is a much better solution. (and far less fiddly :-))))
Hope it helps, hugs n roses, Meg

1 comment

by bevintex 12 Feb 2013

some good ideas you have given me, I may get a pair of those crafters gloves,no way I'm cutting back on my crafting or embroidering.

You might want to take a look at the ergonomic rotary cutter...I have heard that it relieves stress points from regular rotary cutters...I have a few friends that use this and will sometimes switch back and forth to relieve their pain...one of my quilting friends will not use a regular rotary cutter anymore..just a suggestion...

Yes Bev, I have arthritis in my hands and know exactly what you are talking about. Have found running hot water over my hand helps cramp dissapate then I start again,. and yes, we must keep on keeping on or we wouldn't get things done. I'm a lot slower in getting things done then I use to be but it gives me much pleasure to finish something and to give it away./Lillian

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by bevintex 12 Feb 2013

I feel the same way. I'm going to make some of the flax seed bags and keep one handy.

Too much pressure was placed when you were gripping and pressing down hard to make the cuts. Think they call this a repetitive action and it can cause carpal tunnel syndrome which is painful or you just are getting arthritis. Drop your arm down to your side and open and close your hand to get the blood flowing again and of course the heat helps.

I have a Flax seed bad I warm up in the microwave. It makes the pain go away very quickly! You may need more calcium and magnesium if it happens often or a new blade in your cutter. ;)

6 comments

by bevintex 11 Feb 2013

Blade is new,usually happens when I'm doing the same motion over and over. The flax seed bag sounds like a good idea. i'll look into it.
Thanks
Bev

by rescuer 11 Feb 2013

As with any microwave bag, make sure you use 100% cotton. Make an inner bag and a cover like a pillow case for it so the cover can be cleaned. They make great bed warmers too! It is a "moist heat" so there are healing qualities for sore muscles etc.

by bevintex 11 Feb 2013

good idea,found flax seed on ebay ,will order and make a few for my aches and pains. I guess I'm not a spring chicken anymore but hate to think I'm getting old. lol

by rescuer 11 Feb 2013

LOL I have been using the Flax bags since I was in my 20's or 30's. I must be old enough to forget how long I have been using them. lol

by spendlove 12 Feb 2013

I use wheat or rice in mine. Why is 100% cotton recommended for the covers? The commercial versions available here in UK usually have fleece or other (cheaper than cotton) fabric.

by rescuer 12 Feb 2013

Cotton in the microwave is less likely to catch fire. If you heat it in the microwave without the cover, then the cover material does not matter as much. The moisture travels better through cotton though. Heat feels good, moist heat is better for you.