CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
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A Problem for Quilters |
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| You hear a lot about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome these days. Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome, CTS, results from repetitive physical stress on the wrist, such
as typing, knitting, or--unfortunately for us--quilting. Too many quilters,
and especially those whose work also requires using the computer keyboard
a great deal, are experiencing problems with CTS. |
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| A team of orthopedic surgeons has developed special exercises that can
help prevent CTS, which causes pain and weakness in the hands and forearms,
as well as tingling and numbness in the fingers, progressing to aching
or shooting pains in the hand and forearm. |
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| According to Houshang Seradge, M.D., leader of the team that developed
the exercises, they should be done at the start of each work session and
after each break. Dr. Seradge advises that persons with hand-intensive
activities do a five-minute warm-up exercise before beginning. |
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- To begin the exercises, bend the wrist and fingers upwards, as if in
a handstand position. Hold for a count of five, then straighten and
relax the fingers.
- Next, make a tight fist with both hands, then bend the wrists while
maintaining the fists, and hold for a count of five.
- Finally, straighten the wrists and relax the fingers, holding for a
count of five.
Repeat the exercises ten times, then let your arms hang loosely at your
side and shake them for a few seconds.
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| Now, lest you say that doing these exercises takes too long, and you
don't have enough time to quilt as it is--just recall your old gray-haired
granny's advice: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" |
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| And, lest you say, "Why bother?", remember: Couldn't hurt--might
help! |
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| (Information for this article was taken from an article, "Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome?" in the newsletter of the Ohio Star Quilt Shop, Cincinnati,
Ohio. Used by permission.) |
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