[Not] knitting on the road

a button on the visor of my friend Nathania's car

For some reason, I seem to have lost most of the last two months.

October was dedicated to a long-awaited work/vacation, followed by two weeks of intensive work so I could get back on the road.

November included visits all over the place, teaching, meeting knitters [my favorite part] and seeing new parts of the country.

During that time, you could often find me in airports, pulling carry-on luggage from gate to gate, which aggravated my carpal tunnel and — as a result — reduced the knitting time I could take advantage of.

my little tubular friend

Thankfully, someone clever at the Knot Hysteria Silk Retreat* reminded me of the goodness that is Traumeel and gave me a little cupful to apply, which lasted almost a week. I'd stopped using it ages ago, and I don't know why.

Initially recommended to me by someone who uses her hands more intensely than I ever will — Jennie the Potter — Traumeel is a combination of Arnica [a natural herb] with other natural stuff. Arnica is magic. It helps reduce inflammation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is all about inflamed and swollen tissues. I have found I prefer the cream which takes longer to sink in but seems to sink in more thoroughly [the other formulation is a gel]. Within an hour of the first application, my throbbing wrist stopped throbbing. After a week of regular use, I felt human again with hands instead of claws.

Every night, Traumeel on the wrists and sore spots on the forearm, then on with the wrist splints [which is the reason hub has lovingly named me Borg at night] and I'm doing much better.

All of this is my personal experience, and I'm no doctor. You all know this: speak to your own doctor before making any changes that may affect your health, including using homeopathic medicines.

*the retreat deserves its own post.