the journey of a hand

Our relationship with our bodies seems like it should be natural and instinctive. Who knows best how to take care of ourselves, if not ourselves? But if that were really true we wouldn't need doctors. Even habits and occupations that bring us joy can also wear us out if we don't practice awareness of our bodies' capabilities and limitations.

Some time back I was diagnosed with repetitive strain injury (RSI) from putting too much pressure on my right hand: drawing several hours a day without rest, writing three pages nearly every morning, and doing some heavy manual work in the bookshop, without a proper program of stretching or strengthening exercises.

Skull-faced Bookseller Honda-san
Photo from Kotaku Australia

Turns out that the RSI is not severe, but long-lasting: as far as it affects the tendon, it's as if I have both golf elbow and tennis elbow, despite never having played either golf or tennis. The recovery process is taking a long time, and it's a little frustrating.

One of the things I've done to take the pressure off my right hand is learning to draw and write with my left. My left-hand drawing is very slow and clumsy and I can only write backwards, Leonardo da Vinci-style, but I've enjoyed learning these new skills.

Another thing I learned is how to hold my pens and brushes so they put the least pressure on my strained muscles but provide me with more control. In art school our teachers always emphasised the importance of drawing with the whole arm, to prevent small movements with the elbow or wrist that would make drawing taxing or awkward.

Draw Stronger by Kriota Willberg

Draw Stronger by Kriota Willberg is a helpful comic that provides artists with stretches and exercises that help immensely when you spend all day working at a desk. Back, shoulders, elbows and knees - there's a solution for them all.

Recently my uncle sent me an amazing "intelligent" hand massager, which looks alarmingly like the pain box from Dune - it even has a heat mode! But it's the opposite: very relaxing after a short period of work or exercise.

Photo courtesy of Spectrum Physio

Of course nothing beats licensed physiotherapy for RSI recovery. I've been attending sessions with Spectrum Physio for several months and following their prescribed exercises, and my arm has greatly improved. I've also benefited a lot from the advice and services of National Health Service physiotherapists, which the UK provides for free.

Photo from Breathe Physiotherapy

Spectrum also practices dry needling, which has been really helpful in relaxing the tightness in my elbow and wrist.

It's a long slow road, but we're getting there. I appreciate what my body does for me and am learning how best to take care of it.