Doctors

well today starts the rounds of doctor visits again.
Today is a monofiliment test
next week is a check in with the pain clinic
sometime soon will be a functional capasity exam.

Oh what fun! *ok sarcasm off*

so what shall I do? I think when I get home I"ll finish that blue scarf and post a pic or two. This one is thicker then the previous ones but looks like it'll be nice and watm and I know that Lindsey will love it :)

other than that, I'm sure my hands/arms will be pretty dead. Probably have to rest before work so I can drive. It froze last night so the roads will be icy and I only got about an hours sleep because Cleo our female beagle was reverse sneezing thru the night. I had to get up and let her out of her carrier so I just laid in the living room with her and calmed her down.

Gonna be a long day...

Crafting Ergo Notes to keep

I want to hang on to these and the best way I know is to list them off here. They might even benefit someone else in the meanwhile...

I have carpal in both arms. it sucks. I can't do much of anything for any length of time without severe pain and numbness. Sometimes it's worth it. Just call me a very frustrated crafter *sigh*

RSI is a more general term for conditions of the arms, wrists, neck, shoulders and/or back caused by repeatedly performing a motion, often in a way that is not comfortable or correct for your body.

Knitters with RSIs tend to have problems in their wrists, backs, hands, necks, or any combination. Their problems can be caused by sitting for long periods using poor posture, gripping the needles too tightly or putting too much weight on the wrists with a large project.

RSI Prevention

RSI is much easier to prevent than it is to treat, and the main thing you can do to prevent RSI is to craft in moderation.

Follow these guidelines for healthier crafting:

• Set a timer. Take a 10 minute break every half hour or 45 minutes. Get up. Walk around, do some stretches, have a drink of water (hydration helps keep joints healthy) and stop when you feel tired.
  
• Use circular needles for big projects. Afghans, long scarves and sweaters are heavy, and holding the whole project on one straight needle puts a lot of strain on your wrists. Using a circular needle, even if your project is straight, will help distribute the weight an make your wrists happier.
  
• Use fat needles. Large needles are easier to grip and will put less strain on your hands than small needles. Of course not all projects can be accomplished on large needles, but if you've had an injury in the past it can't hurt to choose projects worked on large needles, which will be easier on your hands.
  
• Sit up straight. Posture is important when you're sitting for long periods in the same position. Sit up straight, keep your feet on the floor, and remember to take breaks. If you have had RSI problems you can also prop your arms on pillows or arm rests to further support the body and distribute the weight of your project.

Step Away from the Needles

What happens when you get a knitting-related stress injury? Common symptoms include:

• Numbness
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Discomfort while knitting that goes away at other times
• Discomfort that spreads, such as a pain that starts in the shoulder and radiates down the arm the longer you knit

If you feel any of these symptoms, stop knitting right away and put an ice pack on the affected area. If the ice doesn't help, take ibuprofen.

If the injury is severe, a visit to your doctor may be in order. Pain pills can be prescribed, or your doctor can recommend other treatments such as wearing a wrist brace at night (it is usually not recommended to wear a brace while knitting, though therapeutic gloves intended to improve circulation may be helpful).

If you have an RSI injury remember to rest.

Take a few days off from your crafting and use ice and whatever other treatments your doctor recommends.

After a few days of rest you may be able to knit for short periods daily, but don't overdo it. An injured hand (or wrist, shoulder, elbow or back) can be reinjured much more easily, and with enough damage you could be sidelined for weeks or even months. So take it easy, take care of yourself and be mindful of the damage you could be doing when you craft for long periods.

Exercises to help during the breaks:
Ideally you should take a 10 minute break every hour of work. You should get up, walk around and stretch. Most likely you'll be running off to another task. So here is a set of 10 essential stretches that you can do during your elevator ride, on the way to the parking lot, or any time you can find two minutes.

Relaxing the eyes can be done in a number of ways:
The key is to focus on things at different distances. You can follow your finger if nothing else will do. Focus near, then far, near, then far. Do this a couple of times. Then take a couple of long blinks.

Neck:
Lay your head to the side, pivoting at the base of the neck. Hold it for a few seconds then lay it to the other side. Repeat a couple of times.
Lay your head back and hold for a few seconds. Then move your head forward a place your chin on your chest. Repeat a couple of times.

Back and Spine:
Bend forward at the waist and let your arms hang towards the floor. Roll your back and your shoulders.
Place your palms on the back of your pelvis and lean back from the waist. If you have poor balance, then spread your feet and take a wider stance.
Isolate the trunk and twist at the hip. Take one arm and reach across your chest. Twist in that direction. Drop your other hand and use it to reach behind your back. Twist to the other side. Repeat a few times.

Upper Torso:
Hold your arms at a 90 degree angle with your hands, elbows and shoulders all at the same height. Make fists with your hands. Pull your arms back, staying in the same plane, squeezing your shoulder blades together and tightening your fists. Push your hands forward until your arms are straight out of front of you. Roll your shoulders forward and stretch out your upper back. Open your hands with your wrists flexing up and spreading your fingers as you push forward. Repeat a couple of times.
Reach your arm across your chest with your upper arm close to your collar bone. Take your other hand and grab the crossed arm's elbow. Pull your arm closer to your body and stretch your shoulder. Now do the other shoulder. Repeat a couple of times.
Place the palms of your hands flat together in front of your chest. Flex the wrists at 90 degrees. Keeping the palms together move them up until your elbows touch. Return your hand to their original position. Repeat a few times.

Legs / Hips:
Lift your knee up as high as you can and flex your ankle back as far as you can. Then extend your leg forward pivoting at the knee and flex the ankle forward as far as possible. Repeat a few times.

This one stretch will loosen up most of the leg. If you throw in a little side to side motion while doing this motion you can loosen up the hip as well.

A first step

Yep - Fluffy is right and darn well gonna stay this way for now. I'll bow to the slim farm later... Who says I have to be a size 10 when a size 20 is what my body has fallen in love with for now?

We shall endevour to persever... blast dratted spelling. where's that book? *sigh*

On to life
The grandbaby is due today. Will she be on time? I so very have to get going on some new clothes for her... it better be a her :) If it's a boy I hope to hell he looks good in pink :)

Projects finished:
hmmm... . . . . . .
OH! Preemie hat
a non-fitting hat that I need to work on the pattern for...

Projects in the Works:
Lind's scarf
yellow preemie blanket
entrelac scarf

Projects upcoming:
Preemie hats
Lace shawl
hat for Brie
Christmas hats for Mitch and family
wool socks for the guys
Nano holders
Hairpin lace blanket for Judy