Tips and Techniques For Pain-Free Knitting

 

1️⃣TAKE FREQUENT, REGULAR BREAKS Change your body’s position and look up often from your work and into the distance. Set a timer to remind yourself. ⏲️

2️⃣ SIT UP STRAIGHT Sit in a comfortable but supportive chair. Put your feet on the floor and try not to hunch over. Consider placing a small cushion or rolled-up towel between your chair and the curve in the small of your lower back to help you sit up straight. 🪑

3️⃣CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS CAREFULLY Consider using smooth, lightweight needles. Circular needles are best for large projects. When crocheting, use ergonomic hooks.

4️⃣SWITCH IT UP Learn to easily switch between English and Continental knitting styles. Switching helps you keep knitting, while reducing the risk of a repetitive strain injury (RSI). 👐

5️⃣STRETCH Stand up and move around every once in a while. Stretch your fingers by clenching your hands and then spread your fingers as far as you can. If you notice tension in your neck or shoulders, consider trying a couple of neck stretches too.

6️⃣MAKE SMALL, EFFICIENT MOVEMENTS Practice how small you can make your movements and keep the working yarn close to the tip of your needles. Grasp your yarn gently. A consistently relaxed grip helps you keep a constant gauge while reducing unnecessary strain on your neck, shoulders and wrists. 🧶

Don’t ignore any pain or stiffness you experience from knitting. Knitting should be fun and relaxing but make sure it’s adding to your well-being, not causing you strains or injuries. 😊

Visit our chiropractors, if you experience continuous pain and discomfort from knitting. 👍

#knitting #handpain #wristpain #neckpain #upperbackpain #lowbackpain #repetitivestraininjury #chiropractic #health #wellness #wilmot #newhamburg #baden #tavistock #wellesley #waterlooregion

Why Do My Joints Hurt When It Gets Cold?

 

If your joints ache more when the temperature drops, you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. Many people living with osteoarthritis report worse pain during cold, damp, or rapidly changing weather, and many arthritis organizations acknowledge this pattern.

Even if you don’t have a formal arthritis diagnosis, old injuries, overuse, mild joint degeneration, or muscle tension around a joint can make you more sensitive to cold or weather changes. 

From a musculoskeletal perspective, there are a few likely reasons: 

• Cold-induced stiffness: Cold weather can make muscles, tendons, and ligaments tighten, which reduces joint mobility and can make existing joint stress feel stiff and/or painful.

• Inflammation and sensitivity: People living with osteoarthritis or past joint injuries often have more sensitive pain pathways. Weather shifts can amplify that sensitivity, even though they don’t cause arthritis in the first place.

• Barometric pressure changes: When air pressure drops before cold or damp weather, the tissues around your joints may slightly expand, irritating already-sensitive structures.

Cold weather does not cause osteoarthritis — but it can aggravate symptoms in joints that are already vulnerable. Organizations like the Arthritis Society Canada emphasize staying warm, staying active, and using appropriate heat or cold therapy can be helpful strategies to use as part of drug-free pain management.

As part of your care team, a chiropractor can support you by: 

• Improving joint mobility and alignment to reduce mechanical stress. 

• Prescribing targeted mobility drills and stretching to keep tissues warm and flexible as well as providing rehabilitation and strengthening programs. 

• Coaching you on activity pacing, ergonomics, and simple home strategies like layering, using heated packs, and staying active rather than “hibernating.” Remember movement is medicine. 

If your joint pain flares every time the temperature drops, a thorough assessment can help identify what’s driving your symptoms — and what you can do to feel and move better all winter long.

For more information visit:

nhwc.ca

#joints #osteoarthritis #coldweather #winter #chiropractor #mobility #movement #chiropractic #health #wellness #wilmot #newhamburg #baden #tavistock #wellesley #waterlooregion

Why Are My Muscles Sore After I Work Out?

 

Delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS, can happen after a workout and cause sore muscles that may reduce your range of motion for up to two days. ✌️

While you may be slightly uncomfortable, it’s actually a positive sign that your muscles are working properly and getting used to your new activity or exercise. 💪

REDUCING MUSCLE SORENESS:

1️⃣Although you may not have guessed it, MORE exercise helps to relieve DOMS. However, make sure it’s something gentle like light cardio or yoga a day or so after your DOMS inducing exercise. 🧘

2️⃣ Warm up your muscles for 5 minutes longer than you usually do before your next workout.

3️⃣ Stay hydrated! It’s important to drink plenty of water on days you work out and days you don’t. 🫗

4️⃣ Give each muscle group adequate time to recover. There’s no need to work out your legs several days in a row. Instead, focus on legs one day, followed by shoulders, then core.

#DOMS #muscles #execise #strengthtraining #recovery #fitness #health #wellness #wilmot #newhamburg #baden #tavistock #wellesley #waterlooregion

Don't Let Knee Pain Hold You Back From The Activities You Love!

 

The human knee takes on a great deal of mechanical stress.

As a result, many people suffer from a variety of knee complaints such as:

Arthritis

Bursitis

Patello-Femoral Disorder

Osgoode Schlater's

Chondromalacia

Ligament Sprain

ITB Syndrome

Cartilage/Meniscal Damage

If you are experiencing knee pain during work, exercise or your day to day activities, we can help!

Our team of Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, and Massage Therapists can work together to get you back on track.

New patients are always welcome!

519-662-4441

nhwc.ca

#kneepain #kneeinjury #rehabilitation #exercise #chiropractic #physiotherapy #massagetherapy #health #wellness #wilmot #newhamburg #baden #tavistock #wellesley #waterlooregion