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I get SO EXCITED when my love for yarn and holistic care coincide. Even when it comes at the cost of my dexterity.

A few months ago I suddenly came down with carpal tunnel symptoms. I wasn’t sure what it was until my OT friend confirmed it for me. It was that awful almost-numb-but-not-because-it-hurts-a-lot kind of pain. Could have been a combination of crocheting, unpacking, texting too much, I don’t know. But the pain was so bad it was keeping me up at night.

I’m no stranger to bone/joint/tendon issues. I did gymnastics for over 12 years and I’m pretty sure I have the joints of an 80 yr old. I wear huge wrist braces when I do yoga (I know, super cool), my hips crack when I change direction, and my sciatic pain when I’m pregnant is off the charts. I’ve been a fan of tiger balm and athletic tape for years.

My husband actually made me this concoction when I was suffering from the carpal tunnel symptoms. It only lasted a few weeks, but I put this on before I went to bed and it helped me get some sleep. (Okay that’s a lie…I have a 1.5 yr old who’s getting teeth, I don’t sleep. But it did help with the pain.) Also it’s 100% holistic, natural and safe, which are my favorite qualities in a hand salve.

Joint & Circulation Support Salve Recipe:

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 4 oz glass jar
• 15 drops each of the following essential oilsBlack Pepper
• • Lavender
• • Geranium
• • Frankincense
• • Cypress

The oils used in this recipe are good for inflammation, circulation, and pain. You could also add peppermint and clove, which are great for inflammation and pain, but since I often end up with a 1 yr old in my bed, we opted to omit them as they are not recommended for littles. For 1/4 cup of carrier oil, you’ll want to stick to 75-90 drops total of essential oils. This creates a max 5% dilution.

Pro tip: It always helps to melt the coconut oil a little bit so that you can stir in the essential oils more easily.

Along with using this at night, I took a good break from crocheting and did some small exercises with my hand. I don’t know what it was, but the symptoms went as quickly as they came. I still put this cream on at night and massage it around if I’ve been doing a lot of crocheting, just to help encourage some hand homeostasis. I really believe that prevention is a key to personal sustainability. I want to keep doing what I’m doing, so I have to stay as healthy as I can.

Disclaimer: I must note that nothing stated in this article has been approved by the FDA, I am not a medical professional, and none of this information is intended to treat or cure any ailment or disease.

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