I've been away from the blog for a while, and for no good reason: I developed a classic case of carpel tunnel syndrome after entering "production mode" with my beadwork. Pain, numbness, swelling and weirdly disturbing nerve zaps are all there, but it's more frustrating than anything else. My plans to restock my Etsy shop before Christmas have been dashed, and I'm now forced to sit patiently and wait to heal.

What did I do wrong? A little research hints that my main mistake was failing to stop beading . . . for hours on end.

Here are some tips I've gleaned from the experts to help us beaders keep wrist problems under control:

• Force yourself to stop and take a five or ten minute break once every half hour.

• If pain or numbness starts to develop, allow yourself to quit beading for the day. (That is, don't push yourself too hard.)

• Keep your wrists warm while you work, to help increase blood flow.

Photo of Ocean Wrist Warmers  by ingermaaike2.

• Don't use the same stitch hour after hour and day after day.  Try switching among a few different projects, using different stitches, rather than focusing on a single project (and stitch) at a time. Different stitches require different wrist and hand movements, and switching reduces repetition.

• Incorporate gentle wrist and hand strengthening exercises into your workout or yoga routine. Stronger muscles supposedly help prevent carpel tunnel symptoms.

Okay, lesson learned. But what if it's too late and you do become officially, unmistakably injured? Here's some popular advice:

• Take a recommended dose of an anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce  swelling.

• Use an ice pack, or switch between cold and hot packs, early on when swelling is at its worst.

• Especially early on, rest the hand and wrist as completely as possible.

• Optionally wear a rigid wrist splint to keep your wrist straight. This can help especially at night, but don't go overboard; some studies suggest that muscles may atrophy and become too weak if you wear a splint for a long time.

• Gradually start some gentle hand and wrist exercises to restrengthen your muscles. If carpel tunnel or repetitive stress is a big problem, consider visiting a physical therapist who can show you which exercises work best and how to progress with them over time.

Have more tips, or a repetetive injury experience to share?

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