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All the pain, that is. Aren't I a bit too young for all these joint problems? It seems that my non-stop abuse of my hands has caught up to me, and at knitting club last night (having cut flowers at work for 5 hours that morning)I found my arm tingling. I took of my elbow brace, rubbed my arm a bit, and tried not to cry with the pain. In the car on the way home my hand started to go numb. This is really not good!
I rushed to my Dr. and got a referral to see the OT that my mom works with, but of course she left on vacation today and I won't be able to see her for nearly two weeks. In the meantime I've got two 4 day festivals back to back, and a ton of work to get done! Not to mention a website to update, and a nearly finished sweater, half finished socks, and a quarter finished baby blanket on the needles!
I suppose I'll be reading more? I can't spend much time on the computer because that also aggravates the problem. I've been icing it, and trying to use my left hand more, and I'm going to try and learn to knit continental in hopes of spreading out the work from my right hand to my left. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it! I'm a teensy bit panicky.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
It's all in the elbow
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2 comments:
I get tennis elbow, that's what my doctor says anyway. Honestly as far as I know the only thing I know that works is resting it. And - changing the motions you commonly do.
When I had it in my right arm - literally - I switched pouring water from my tea kettle to my left arm, babied the right one and it was better after a while. (a couple of weeks probably)
Then I got it in my left arm. Same thing - except this time I started doing the tea kettle with one arm one day and the other the next. And I was just more careful about the way I did things. I try to do things differently - paying attention to how I lift, twist and carry.
Right now - neither side is bothering me. So when I feel either side start to have a bit of pain - I know it will get worse so I baby it for a while.
Believe it or not - the tea kettle - I pour TWO cups of tea a day. That's IT. But I was doing it by picking up the kettle and then flexing my wrist to pour. Now I use more of my whole arm and it doesn't seem to have the same bad effect as before.
I wish I could give you a fast fix but the good news is - if it's the same thing - it's not permanent. I mean - the tendency to get it might be, but you adjust the way you do things. A lot of it ends if being common sense. If it hurts - don't do it. If it's something you want or need to do - change the way you do it. Pain is the biggest helper in teaching you the right way to move your body sometimes.
Geez, sorry I wrote a book. I suppose you could review it! :)
Book: On Tennis Elbow by BettyJo
Rating: 10/10
Thanks! I know that it's repetative motion, I'm just kind of horrified to think about how much abuse I put on it every day. I've started brushing my teeth and eating with my left hand, and I'm going to try and learn to knit Continental rather than English. I'm also trying to be more careful with my computer mouse, because it's a laptop touch pad, and very bad for my elbow. I'm trying to switch that to my left hand also. At work and when I'm making jewelry I really don't have a choice. I need things the way they are. I'm going to see an Occupational Therapist in a couple weeks, and she should help me as well.
My mom suggested that I go back to taking Fish Oil like I used to for my knees. I don't know if this is something you already do, but it's really helpful! If you do take it just make sure it's approved so you know it's clean. I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much for the support and suggestions!
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