Repetitve Stress Injuries Due to Needlework

Written by Katrina Renouf


Doing a lot of needlework can cause repetitive stress injury (RSI), especially when combined withrepparttar large amount of typing that many people do nowadays. It is caused whenrepparttar 145333 same movement is done repeatedly. Sports medicine physicians categorizerepparttar 145334 levels of injuries based onrepparttar 145335 symptoms and impact onrepparttar 145336 wrist’s performance. This grading helps guiderepparttar 145337 treatment and rehabilitation process. Grade 1 is when there is no pain while stitching, but there is some discomfort afterward (either immediately or duringrepparttar 145338 evening orrepparttar 145339 following days). Grade 2 is when there is some discomfort while stitching but it doesn’t interfere with performance. Grade 3 is when there’s discomfort while stitching and it does interferes with performance. And finally, grade 4 is whenrepparttar 145340 discomfort is so intense that stitching cannot be performed at all. Of course, none of us want to reach this level!!!

There are various treatments for your wrist, depending onrepparttar 145341 grade ofrepparttar 145342 injury. Grade 1 can be treated by stitching 25% less, and that’s all that's required. Stitching can be gradually increased asrepparttar 145343 symptoms allow, but be careful not to push it too much and cause a reinjury. Grade 2 injuries can be cared for by reducingrepparttar 145344 duration of your stitching by 50%. In addition to ice and stretches, consider using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Physical therapy is not absolutely necessary at this point, but can be considered. When pain is gone,repparttar 145345 therapist should teach an endurance program and strengthening exercises. Grade 3 is treated by “active" rest” whererepparttar 145346 stitcher should stop stitching completely but is allowed to moverepparttar 145347 affected part for daily activities. Physical therapy is needed to speed and end torepparttar 145348 discomfort, as well as to strengthen, increase endurance, and restore coordination. In addition torepparttar 145349 oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, a corticosteroid injection may be considered at this time. Grade 4 injuries are treated with complete rest ofrepparttar 145350 affected part, usually involvingrepparttar 145351 use of a sling or splint (even casting is considered in severe cases). All ofrepparttar 145352 above options can also be used. If there is no improvement, orrepparttar 145353 condition recurs despite adequate treatment, then surgical intervention may be required.

Using Beads in Cross Stitch

Written by Katrina Renouf


Many people like to add embellishments to their cross stitch, and a great way to do this is with beads. In many situations, it’s also another way to avoid doingrepparttar dreaded French knot!

Beads usually cover one space instead of a cross stitch. I would suggest sewingrepparttar 145332 beads after their surrounding cross stitching is complete because they need to be well secured, and lie on top ofrepparttar 145333 cross stitches. For regular and small size beads, use one strand of floss or for heavier beads you can use two strands. There is also black or white "Nymo" beading thread, and there is "invisible" YLI thread which can be used for beading. If you can’t find these, use a color of thread that is either close torepparttar 145334 color ofrepparttar 145335 bead, or similar torepparttar 145336 background, so thatrepparttar 145337 thread doesn’t detract fromrepparttar 145338 bead.

The size ofrepparttar 145339 needle usually depends onrepparttar 145340 size ofrepparttar 145341 bead. With seed beads use a fine pointed needle such as a quilting needle, appliqué needle or beading needle. The hole in most beads is too small to be used with a regular cross stitch needle. Beading needles are long and flexible with very narrow eyes. You can also use a regular hand sewing needle in a pinch, because they’rerepparttar 145342 only ones thin enough forrepparttar 145343 beads to fit over. All of these needles are more difficult to thread though, you will probably need a needle threader.

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