Quilting and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
by Gloria Massard
Sew a Quilt
Did you know that one out of every ten quilters develops carpal tunnel syndrome? Personally, I never thought about it. I figured this condition only affected "other" people. Not so. If you're a quilter, you're at risk.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway that runs along the palm side of your wrist. It covers and protects the main nerve in your hand and the tendons of your thumb, index and middle fingers.You're also at risk if you keep your hands in the same position for a long time. Quilters are guilty of this when they sit at their sewing machines for many hours. If you don't give your hands and wrists a break, you increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. If left untreated, the damage might become permanent.
What are the Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Burning, numbness, aching or tingling on the palm side of your thumb, index finger and middle finger
- Weakness in grip
- Swelling of hand or forearm
- Aching of the wrist or forearm
- Pain spreads to arm or shoulder
- Intensity increases at night or in the morning
How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Adjust Your ChairAdjust your chair height so your forearms are level with the sewing bed (needle area). Your arms should form an "L" shape. If you habitually drop your wrists while sewing, invest in an ergonomic wrist pad.
Support your Feet
If your feet dangle after you adjust your chair, use a book or footrest to fill the gap. Make sure the footrest has a non-slip bottom and slopes 10 to 20 degrees.
Adjust the Height of your Cutting Table and Ironing Board
- Stand with your arms at your sides.
- Bend your arms at the elbows, straight out in front of you. Your arms should form an "L" shape. Lower your arms an inch or two. This gives your elbows enough room to move without hitting the table. This is the proper height for your cutting and ironing surfaces.
When you use a rotary cutter, you perform repetitious movements. This includes squeezing the handle and applying force to make your cuts. If you repeat these actions long enough, you'll experience a feeling of numbness. That's because you've cut off circulation to your hand. Take this as a warning, and stop cutting.
I'm excited to report that there's a new ergonomic rotary cutter on the market. It has a padded handle which takes some of the force off your hand and spreads it over a larger area. That means less damage to your hand.
Take Short Breaks
It's easy to lose track of time when you're sewing a masterpiece. But try to take a ten-minute break every hour. This keeps your circulation flowing and helps you to focus better. It also gives your muscles and tendons a chance to relax. If you're like me and you don't watch the clock when you're sewing, set a timer.
Do Stretching Exercises:
- Shake your hands
- Roll your wrists
- Bend and flex your fingers
- Stretch your arms to the side and over your head
- Roll your arms in a circle
- Be creative!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)A problem that impacts many in varied professions. Yes even we who use a keyboard. I'm sure someone quilting cold use this good advice.
Is the author a doctor? Some of those exercises she prescribes can exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome. At least that is what my doctor told me.
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