Anyone have a good treatment for sore tired hands. I'm gettin older and when I work hard they bother me at night.(You know those rocks).Ha. I always use gloves so they aren't rough and cracked just swollen, sore and tired. Ibuprofen really helps but I take to much and want to cut back...Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Answers

I use analgesic creme and parafin in a small crockpot when my withered hand starts spasming.Dip and peel. Seems if it helps atrophed muscles, it should help sore ones.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Kirk,

I'd like to share my grandma's treatment with you. She's 84 and still out manning her trowl, despite the later discomfort. She likes to get a big shallow bowl, and fill it with a little boiling water in the bottom with mint leaves (including spearmint). After it has sat for 10 minutes, she adds anough cool or warm water to make it tolerable in temp. and just deep enough to cover her hands. Then she soaks her hands and wrists in the warmest water she can stand until it cools, about 20 minutes I think. Sometimes she adds eucalyptus drops just before she puts her hands in.

Hope it works for you too.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Vitamin B6 is good for inflammation, Kirk. Take 100 mg three times a day when your hands are bothering you. Pantothenic Acid, similar dosage is also useful, and don't forget to drink lots of pure water.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2001

Nick has same problem.You great guys who are good workers are just getting a little older! Getting arthritis.

He uses some cream.I'll have to ask him what it is.Also a salve of wintergreen(contains salicylic acid-like aspirin) and balsalm apple is an old timey remedy

For me getting my allergies under control helped my arthritus trememdously.

Don't take NSIADS w/o eating yogurt or taking acidolophus(sp?).They mess up your stomach bad and cause other problems.Just went over all this with Jim.I'll email you!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001

I just read that Vitamin C with bioflavonoids are essential for someone to take who has inflammation. My book also says that echinacea, goldenseal, paud'arco, red clover, and yucca are all good for inflammation. It also suggests that certain poultices can be helpful too. If you want to know the details on how to make one, let me know.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001

Three all time best and cheapest skin moisturizers/softeners/healers:

bacon fat glycerine veggie shortening

For a multi purpose cream, use shortening, melt it together with a little glycerine and possibly some aloe. You can scent any way you want to, and it will help a lot.

If you simmer a cotton bag of calendula, comfrey root and chamomile with it for a bit (keeping it just hot enough to remain liquid but not burn) you will add some wonderful healing qualities, while not having the smell of the used fat from bacon!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001

Well look at all these great ideas to try!! Thank you so much. these paws are really cranky tonite! I think maybe I have a touch of arthritis. Ain't old age fun!!...Kirk...P.S. Whats a bioflavonoid? Denise

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

I have read that fresh or fresh frozen Cherrys will keep arthritis away for life. You're supposed to eat a small handfull each day, and you will start to see the effects in 90 days, and don't stop eating them. Also, bananas and brewers yeast are supposed to work also. I planted 25 nanking cherry trees at my last farm for just that reason, but I had to leave them when I moved. I really need to get some more going.

I have carpal tunnel in my wrists, from training horses, holding on to the reins all day, and cleaning stalls. I've had it for as long as I can remember. Pulling weeds all day will make my arms go to sleep at night, and milking goats. But I'm only milking 3 right now so it isn't to bad. I take a hot shower at night, and after 30 minutes, I put Flexall 454 on my arms and it really helps. Also, if I forget to take my vitamins for a few days, my legs will ache.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Kirk, a bioflavonoid is combined with vitamin c to make it be absorbed more efficiently. I looked up the definitions in my Prescription for Nutritional Healing book: Bioflavonoid- Any group of biologically active flavonoids. They are essential for the stability and absorption of vitamin c. Although they are technically not vitamins they are sometimes referred to as vitamin p. Flavonoid- Any of a large group of crystalline compounds found in plants.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

I have milkmaid hands. I have taken Glucosamine and Chondroiton for several years, adding MSM last year. It keeps me from having pain in my hands while I milk, and aching hands when I sleep. Recently found that Chondroiton came from cow trachea's, so I am going to try to phase it out with this last bottle. I also have given this to my elderly dog and does with great results. Don't get taken into beliveing only the expensive "GNC" brand is best, I have taken them all and my Wallmart special is exactly the same. Vicki

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001

Ah Man, Kirk , I know how ya feel, My right hand aches constantly and my right arm does the go to sleep act like yours does Cindy. It wakes me up in the night. One thing that really feels good to my hand is when my cat midnight jumps up to my lap and purrs on it! I know sounds silly but it feels good. I'm gonna try some of his stuff everybody came up with. I wonder what makes your arm do that? My Dr. nor Chirirprater either seem too much help. There are just too many weeds that need pulled! Why doesn't somebody invent a weed puller? A little device that you can stick in and it pulls for ya? Tren

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Say Tren, they have invented somethin for that.....it's called kids!!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Now that I'm typing 8 hours a day, I'm getting some tired hands too. Sometimes gardening helps them relax a bit (oddly enough. I guess it's b/c I'm using them in a different way.) I will keep these remedies in mind, though, for sure. My hands are really tired tonight!

Anyone have carpal tunnel? Or have had it?

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

I have an excellent remedy for carpal:

start with standing with your back to a countertop-height table, or somesuch.

Put the palms of your hands on the table.

Now let your body weight rest on those palms for about 30 seconds, then release (stand up) and repeat a few times. Don't overdue it the first time.

Alternatively, you can make the same motion by standing with you back to an open chair, and placing your palms down on the seat of the chair and pushing your body slowly up and down a few times. This movement is also great for upper arm flabbies.

It really works for carpel. It's mahvelous!!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Thanks Earthmama, I'm gonna try that!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Oooooh good stretch Earthmama! Course I don't type to much but it feels good to stretch anyway. Hey tren, My arm had a sleepy tingle to it a while back but it was a little nerve damage from lifting heavy concrete. Are you doing heavy lifting?....Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001