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.
