Hand cramps when drawing?!
Question: I've been left-handed all my life, and have always loved to draw.
I learned to hold a pencil in a strange way, though - it kind of looked like I was gripping the pencil with my fist.
About a year ago, however, I started getting cramps whenever I drew or even wrote anything. It got so bad, I decided I needed to actually change the way I held a pencil (to the "correct" way) to relieve the stress.
It was hard for me, since I consider that I draw good and am hoping to base my career around animation when I get older.
Well, a year later, I taught myself how to write the correct way, but the cramps are back. I feel like I keep having to soak my hands in hot water/massage my wrist to keep the stress down.
It's not carpal tunnel or arthritis, it's just stress.
So much question is this:
How do I relieve the physical stress of writing/drawing for long periods of time? Is that just something that will always happen?
Answers: I've been left-handed all my life, and have always loved to draw.
I learned to hold a pencil in a strange way, though - it kind of looked like I was gripping the pencil with my fist.
About a year ago, however, I started getting cramps whenever I drew or even wrote anything. It got so bad, I decided I needed to actually change the way I held a pencil (to the "correct" way) to relieve the stress.
It was hard for me, since I consider that I draw good and am hoping to base my career around animation when I get older.
Well, a year later, I taught myself how to write the correct way, but the cramps are back. I feel like I keep having to soak my hands in hot water/massage my wrist to keep the stress down.
It's not carpal tunnel or arthritis, it's just stress.
So much question is this:
How do I relieve the physical stress of writing/drawing for long periods of time? Is that just something that will always happen?
Set down your writing tool after about a half hour and stretch out your hand with the fingers separated, then relax them, then stretch again. Do this for about a minute, then completely rest them for another minute. After about a couple of weeks of doing this your hands should not cramp up any more. You are keeping your hands in one position for too long and straining the muscles and limiting the blood floe to them, which is why you need to stretch them out and relax them for a bit.
i get that alot lately in my right hand... annoying, my hand ceazes up... 19 years old :(
You might be pressing too hard,
that's what happens to me.
like this.. its also my experience.. After writing or drawing don't wet your hands, even a little water drops. just make sure your hands have rest at least 2 hours or more. So by that your hands will not getting cramps again..
im 14, and i get that all the time. Im left handed, and i press really hard when i write, but i cant fix it. So when i write my hand cramps up. All you have to do is take a fifteen minute break and shake your hand out. Do some finger calistenics lolz.... it really helps
I'm left handed too, and this happens to me when I am pressing too hard or gripping the pencil too hard. Try loosening up, it works.
Go southpaws!
well me i get that lots as well but mine if for a diffrent reason. i broke my hand many times and it healed wrong. and now if i write for long period of time. and hand cramps and stiffens up to where i cant do anything. it sux but i just think i have to re break it and heal it correctly.
well good luck with you drawing i am sure you will be good.
I have experienced the same thing. it's not stress. It's a lack of potassium in your system. Potassium is hard to find in the fast foods that we eat. I try to eat at least one banana a day. I know that sounds silly but it works for me. I hate waking up in the morning hours with a cramp in my calf muscle and have to walk around for 20 minutes to relieve the pain so I can go back to sleep. Try it..it might work for you too.
you should stop flogging the dog so much.
You need to do carpal tunnel exercises