I've been doing all of the things to minimize pain when I knit so I can keep on knitting!  I take breaks, do mini stretches, watch my posture, knit with circular needles so I can rest the weight of my project on my lap, put pillows under my elbows, massage my arms to break up the knots that form from muscle overuse, and sometimes use ice (which helps but I don't enjoy the application.)  I have also added using Knitter's Relief Balm to my routine, while I knit, which has made a big difference. 

I've worked with physical therapists, sports massage therapists, and had many visits to my chiropractor.  My first chiropractor told me I needed to take a break from knitting to let my arms and shoulders rest for a month.  A month!  I told him there had to be another way because I couldn't do that.  My next chiropractor showed me ways to alleviate the pain while continuing to knit, and I am forever grateful!!

With all of the extra holiday knitting and deadlines, I've been knitting much more than usual, and exercising less, which allows the pain to creep back in.  Knitter's Relief Balm has a CBD option, so I decided to kick up my pain relief a notch and try that over the holidays. 

I have sensitive skin and I'm one of those people who read ingredient labels.  I love that this is chemical-free and made with all natural ingredients like arnica, magnesium, and essential oils.  The ingredient that is in the CBD version, but not in the original version of Knitters Relief Balm is 200mg pure CBD (THC free) infused in organic MTC oil (from coconut).  

I noticed that it worked quite fast and seemed to zero in on the sore spots that formed around my elbow and triceps.  My husband had been complaining about neck pain for a few days, so he rubbed some on the back of his neck and woke up the next morning without pain.  

I love that the tube is small enough to fit in my knitting bag.  I can rub it on from a push-up tube so you don't need to get anything on your fingers or hands (a plus when you're knitting).  

It's made in Austin, Texas and developed by a knitter (of course) and naturalist. To read more about Knitter's Relief Balm with CBD oil, see the complete list of ingredients, or to purchase some balm for yourself, please click here. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me and allows you to keep on knitting.   To find out about the regular version, without CBD, you can read more about it here. 

[This article contains links to Knitter's Relief Balm who pays me a small commission if you make a purchase through these links.  You can read the full affiliate disclosure here.]

I am one of those unlucky knitters that has pain after knitting. My elbows hurt, my forearms hurt, my triceps hurt, my shoulders hurt, my neck hurts, it's just a mess. I have worked with physical therapists, sports massage therapists, chiropractic, and orthopedic doctors. I've heard many reasons for why I have pain and many remedies, but basically it boils down to two things:

1) poor posture while I knit (slouched on a sofa, watching Netflix, with my head tilted down) and
2) muscle overuse

First, the posture... I can't sit up straight and knit - I like to be comfortable. And I need to look down when I knit, so I can't change that. I DO put pillows under my elbows to help support my forearms, and I DO knit with circular needles to shift the weight of my projects to my lap.

Second, the muscle overuse... I do take mini 1-2 minute breaks while knitting to stretch. I move around, shake out my upper body, and stretch, stretch, stretch my fingers, arms, and shoulders. This helps greatly!

But I'm REALLY excited about a new all-natural product called Knitters Relief Balm! I’m one of those people who reads ingredient labels. I have sensitive skin and prefer natural products. This is chemical-free and made with arnica, magnesium, and a blend of healing essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, camphor, ginger, wintergreen and more. It has an immediate effect for reducing inflammation which causes pain. It increases circulation and relieves pain wherever you put it. And it's made in Austin, Texas and developed by a knitter (of course) and naturalist.

I love that it comes in a push-up tube, so I can rub it on while I'm knitting without getting any on my fingers. It doesn't stain your clothes. It smells nice. It's not messy. And the smaller 1 oz size fits nicely in my knitting bag. Plus, I'm not taking Advil/Motrin/Aleve/Tylenol for relief.

Before I started offering this on my website, I was using it. When my package arrived in the mail, I rubbed some on the usual place before I started knitting that night. Then I rubbed in a little extra before bedtime and for the first time in a long time, I slept through the night without waking up from pain.

To read more about Knitter's Relief Balm, see the complete list of ingredients, or to purchase some balm for yourself, please click here. I hope you LOVE it as much as I do!

[This article contains links to Knitter's Relief Balm who pays me a small commission if you make a purchase through these links.  You can read the full affiliate disclosure here.]

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Knitting is FABULOUS, but at times can cause pain if you're addicted to knitting like me.

For years, I have suffered from pain as a result of knitting too much. I have used ice, heat, sports massages, visited physical therapists, chiropractors and technicians specializing in Active Release Technique (myofascial release).  (Please understand that I am NOT a medical professional - but I am sharing what has worked for me.)

In the end, it turns out my pain was not tendonitis, or related to my tendons or ligaments at all.  It was muscle overuse.  Physical therapists who specialize in myofascial release were able to break up the adhesions and provide instant relief.  In the past, I was told to take a break from knitting for a few weeks, which really, I couldn't do.  I was so relieved to find therapists specializing in myofascial release who provided a better way to help my body without stopping what I love.  During the pandemic however, the option of visiting a therapist was not always available so they provided some stretching exercises that can be done at home.

I've found that taking a break from knitting every hour, and stretching really helps keep my  body pain free.  There are stretches for your neck, shoulder and back too, but the most important I've found are three vital stretches for the hands and forearms.  These are the muscles that do all the work in knitting, especially in your dominate hand.  

1.  Rest your fingertips of your dominant hand on the palm of your other hand and with your palm, pull the fingers back as far as you can.  Once you feel resistance, hold this stretch about 30 seconds.  Rest and repeat.

2.  Grab ahold of your thumb and pull it back towards the top of your wrist.  Hold for about 30 seconds.  Rest and repeat. 

3.  The most important (for me at least) is to stretch the outside of the forearm.  This is a little harder to do, but if you create a fist, then with your other hand, pull the fist inwards to the inside of your forearm and hold.  The first time I do this, the first doesn't move much.  The second time I find that I can get a deeper stretch and you'll notice right away how good it feels.   Hold for about 30 seconds.  Rest and repeat.  This stretch runs from your hand through your elbow which is oftentimes where my pain originates. 

Shake out your hands, improve your posture, and resume knitting.  Sometimes you don't have 10 minutes to exercise and walk around, so these three, quick exercises can get you back to knitting faster while stretching out the muscles that are doing the most work.  

There can be many reasons why we experience pain when knitting, so it's always best to visit a therapist who is knowledgeable in sports medicine.  (Yes, I'm the only knitter at my wellness center which caters to runners, and ball players but they treat my injuries much the same as any other athlete.)

Click on the below You Tube  link for a short video showing you how to do these. 

https://youtu.be/IF4ljbUNDbU

ETA on 10/20/21: You may be interested in Knitters Relief Balm, which is all natural and wonderful.  The link takes you directly to the supplier and  I earn a small commission if you purchase through this link.  It does not affect your price. To read the full Affiliate Disclaimer, please click here.