I HURT!

[MtyAphrdti]

Since I broke my toe really badly, I've been sitting and knitting like mad.  8hrs at times hehe  But, it has made my shoulders and neck so damn sore!   Probably because what I've been knitting is rather heavy material when all is said and done.  I've never had my wrists bother me though.

[Roe]

wow, it is so comforting to know that i am not alone with this. and that maybe a few days rest will help and i can keep up my habit (hobby). i think mine is more muscle soreness too, the only thing that really concerns me is the numbness i experience when laying down. but hopefully it will all be over soon.  thanks for all your comments.

roe

[lisascenic]

I have to urge you to see a medical professional about this.  (Or at least mention this at your next scheduled check-up!)

Until then, take some time to examine how you knit.  How's your posture when you knit?  Are you tensing up?  Do you take breaks?  Do you stretch?

[Lothruin]

Well, if your muscles are sore, and they are inflammed, they CAN pinch nervers.  Particularly if any of your neck or shoulder muscles are having problems.  I might also suggest finding a really COMFORTABLE position to knit it.  I find my arm, neck and shoulder pain is less if I'm sitting with legs elevated, like longwise on a couch or in a recliner, with good support for my MIDDLE back.  (Just below the shoulder blades.  Too much higher and whatever is supporting your back can actually shove it into a certain position, causing more pain.)

I agree about seeing a medical professional, too.  For myself, I have a bad back to start with, and most of my pain can be traced to that root cause.  Bad back equals weak muscles, equals shoulders that overcompensate, etc.  That's the case with other activities besides knitting as well.  And because of my back, I've had lots of experience defining what is "normal" pain and what isn't.  If you don't have that kind of experience, I'd definitely suggest seeing a doctor, or at least calling and asking if they'd LIKE to see you.

[Roe]

I agree about seeing a medical professional, too.  For myself, I have a bad back to start with, and most of my pain can be traced to that root cause.  Bad back equals weak muscles, equals shoulders that overcompensate, etc.  That's the case with other activities besides knitting as well.  And because of my back, I've had lots of experience defining what is "normal" pain and what isn't.  If you don't have that kind of experience, I'd definitely suggest seeing a doctor, or at least calling and asking if they'd LIKE to see you.

interesting you mentioned a bad back, before this arm thing occurred i was having serious back problems, like a pinched nerve or something causing it to hurt me when i twist. then I hurt my arm knitting and the back thing went away. I think i'll go in if it's still hanging around tomorrow. I can't take much more of this, the whole not knitting is the worst.

thanks guys, i really appreciate all the help and concern.

roe

[sweets4ever]

My boyfriend gets that pain (elbow to shoulder) when he plays acoustic guitar too often...without stretching  As well as weight lifting.. he recently had to take 2 weeks off..he is not entirely healed, but getting better.  Good old fashion, "tennis elbow"!!  Does this sound familiar??  http://my.webmd.com/hw/arthritis/hw225375.asp  

Here are recommended home treatments (from that site...)
You can treat your tennis elbow by:

~Stopping or changing activities that may irritate the tendon. Learn new techniques for certain movements and use different equipment that may reduce the stress on your forearm muscles.

~Reducing pain. Use ice and pain medication to help reduce discomfort.

~Wearing an elbow splint. Elbow splints hold the elbow in a bent position and do not allow the elbow joint to move. Splints are used only for a short period of time to allow the muscles and tendons to rest and heal.

For Justin...we did various stretches during recovery... along with using http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku=DF297/catid=2007/pcatid=20  It's really hard to explain...but it's a battery operated ball... once you start it spinning, you rotate your write to keep it in motion..it's great exercise.

He also wore a tennis elbow brace.  We bought ours at Walmart for $8 (near the pharmacy), but here is an example http://elasticsupports.com/tenelbracwit.html  Use it for recovery...but don't get too attach, your muscles still need to heal.

Here are some of the exercises we used... http://www.tennis-elbow-treatments.com/pages/tennis_elbow_exercise.php

[box of purls]

I have had this problem too, but mostly in my hands, I am going to see about holding my yarn/needles differently.  Also I get shoulder/neck pain, from sitting at my desk at work too long, like others have said, a good way to alleviate some of this is to take breaks and stretch (which I forget to do). 

[Roe]

Thanks everybody for all your help and support. I'm happy to report my arm is feeling much better. Its still a little stiff, but definitely better. I've learned a lot from this experience. I am now aware of my posture when i knit and I'm going to start taking lots of stretching breaks. I do not want to repeat this, it was awful. I'm also probably going to see an acupuncturist just to be on the safe side.

thanks again and never take your arms for granted!

roe

[lsm]

There have been several studies done which show that B6 helps (do a google).  My mother swears by the stuff.  I've been taking one a day since I was diagnosed w/carpal tunnel a couple of weeks ago and the pain is mostly gone - without the surgery which the doctor was recommending.  His alternative suggestion was to stop knitting and get off the computer. 

[Roe]

  His alternative suggestion was to stop knitting and get off the computer. 

EEK! Why would he even suggest that. I learned how to knit continental and i haven't had any pain since. But i think i will add the B6 and be double protected. Thanks for the advice!

roe