hand cramps from drawing :(

[cadeo]

Every time I draw for more than 4 hours at a time, with breaks, I get uncomfortable hand cramps in my drawing hand. They started occurring during the end of last summer, when I was working on portfolio pieces a lot. I hold my tools correctly.
I also have been developing the tendency to crack my fingers. :( This urge fluctuates, and never last more than 3 days at a time.
Does anyone here have experience/advice on this? I don't want carpal tunnel or something worse!

[kev ferrara]

It does sound to me like you're tensing your hand too much. What kind of pencil are you using? Do you find you have to push too hard to get dark darks? Are you doing tiny tiny details?

One thing, make sure you get enough exercise, because if the rest of your body is functioning well, your metabolism will be better and the blood/nutrients will circulate and feed all parts of your body better. Next time your hand cramps, take a 10 minute walk.

Also, make sure you have enough potassium in your diet and you drink enough water. And don't slouch.

This has been your mother.

[Atlantis]

Try this: extend your arm out and turn your palm up in a "stop" gesture. Straighten your fingers upwards and hold that position for a count of 5. Then hold your wrist level and relax your hand for a few seconds, and then make a tight fist aiming straight down. Hold that for a count of 5 and then relax again. Repeat the above a few times.

It's a stretch recommended to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome; it's been a big help to me.

[digital_zombie]

http://www.ergocise.com/wrists.html

I do the "hands down" one a LOT as I've had major surgery on my left wrist for carpel tunnel (and i still have it in both hands) a lot of these exercises really help loosen up the tense feeling I get. You'd be surprised to see how tense your hands are.

[roidvoid]

ive found that if i am pushing too hard i get some major pain in my hand.

what works for me-

I made a cotton glove with all the fingers cut out except the ring finger and the pinky finger. it works pretty good for just relaxing my hand.

[Shard]

sorry if i hijack this thread a second but i have a smilar problem..
the way I hold the tablet pen makes a lot of pressure on one of the fingers close to the fingernail. so after quite a while the nerve starts to ache..
do you know some stuff to put on to prevent this? probably a soft cloth taped on would do :) but was wondering if there was some proper product or something specific?

[dark eagle]

I think your last one might be avoided if you either;
hold the pen differently with , as stated, lesser pressure
Change the shape of the pen some how, tape maybe?
Doctor if all less fails.

[Noah Bradley]

On top of stretching, strengthening the muscles could help. Basically you'll be doing miniature curls with your hand, while holding the rest of your arm still. Look it up on a exercising website so you don't risk hurting yourself even more by doing it wrong.

But yeah, stretching and loosening up a little. Or you could switch hands for a little while. ;)