Hand Pain Relief – How To Avoid Pain In Hands While Beading

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Need hand pain relief? If you suffer from discomfort during or after beading, here are some tips to avoid aches in your hands so you can enjoy your hobby.

Just imagine turning a door knob and immediately feeling a sharp pain in the palm of your hand. That shooting pain then radiates all the way up your arm. Next comes the finger swelling…

Well, this exact scenario happened to me a few years ago. I had spent several days in a row beading for hours at a time.

It all started with a dull right thumb pain which I ignored at first until my hand and fingers also became sore. Then, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I should take a break but it was too late. The damage was already done. Turning that door knob was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I learned my lesson and now take steps to avoid severe hand pain like what I experienced before. I couldn’t even hold a pen for several days after that and I was on strong pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication. I don’t think I have to tell you that was no fun.

If you’ve ever felt pain in your hands after a round of beading or you suffer from arthritis pain or even carpal tunnel syndrome, you know how it can suck the joy right out of your hobby.

Here are some steps you can take to get hand pain relief while beading or even afterwards. Of course, I need to say that I am NOT a qualified medial practitioner, so please seek professional medical counsel if you feel any discomfort.

7 Tips For Hand Pain Relief

1. Talk To Your Doctor

You should never ignore pain. Often, it’s a sign that something is wrong or could potentially go wrong.

If you’re constantly experiencing pain in your hands or fingers, consult a physician to find out if there’s a bigger issue lurking below the surface.

2. Take Medication

If you take prescription medication for hand pain relief, make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Deviating from the recommended dosage could render the medication ineffective leaving you in pain again.

If you don’t take prescriptions but you experience pain occasionally, over-the-counter medication could help.

3. Warm Up

Just like you shouldn’t exercise without warming up your body first, it can also be beneficial to limber up before beading.

Do some simple stretches or exercises before grabbing those beads. Here are some hand and finger movements to try.

4. Take A Break

Have you ever tried moving after a long beading session, only to realize how incredibly sore your neck, back and hands are?

I know how easy it is to get so absorbed in a beading project, that you almost forget to come up for air. But, your hands and body need a break.

When you’re beading, one hand is forced to grip the beadwork while the other is holding a thin needle and working in very repetitive motions. This puts stress on your hands and can cause injuries.

Counteract this by taking frequent breaks while beading. Get up and move around, stretch, then go back to crafting.

5. Pay Attention To Your Body

After you’ve finished beading, make a mental note of anything that hurts. That way, you can focus on avoiding doing things that cause that pain in the future.

If your fingertips are sore, maybe you’re gripping your needle too tight. If your wrists hurts, maybe you need to adjust how you hold your beadwork or work with a cushioned surface.

6. Use Ergonomic Tools

You may not work with tools a whole lot if you frequently enjoy bead weaving, but if you practice any other type of jewelry making e.g wire work, you might use them more often.

Invest in ergonomic tools. These usually have wider or thicker handles, shaped to better fit the human hand. The handles may also be made of rubber or are ribbed to provide traction so they’re easier grip.

7. Brace Yourself

Stabilizing your fingers can help to align joints, improve function and prevent problems caused by arthritis and other medical conditions from getting worse.

Ring splints can be worn on any of your fingers to reduce pain and increase dexterity. There are different kinds depending on your particular ailment so please speak to a doctor to determine if these are right for you.

In addition to protecting your fingers, you can also wear wrist braces. These keep your hands in a straight neutral position, preventing injury.

Your beading hobby doesn’t have to be painful. Try these simple tips for some hand pain relief and craft a better life for yourself.

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