Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Monday, August 08, 2016
Tendonitis Recovery
It's been a long time since my last post on this blog, which this time around isn't due to forgetting or laziness. About 3 months ago now I ended up with tendinitis aka tennis elbow in both my arms, beginning with my left drawing arm and shortly after I ended up with the same thing in my right to a less severe degree. A combination of climbing, training and lots of drawing (both for work, and personal) took it's toll.
What's followed has been months of recovery, which is still on going but is finally at a stage where it's no longer painful. I couldn't draw at all for 6 weeks which was hell. I don't think I've ever not drawn for that long. It was hard and depressing. I felt like I'd lost part of myself. This was made harder by the fact that I was more or less in constant pain and was struggling to do most things because both my arms were injured.
So I spent most of my time walking listening to audiobooks. It was either that or sit around doing pretty much nothing except mindlessly watching videos, which I can't do for long.
But after months of physio I am more or less functioning normal in my day to day life. I don't think I'll be climbing for some time yet but I can deal with that. Being able to draw was my main concern as not only is it my career but my passion in life. As it stands I am getting back to full drawing potential, which is awesome! :) Still there are good and bad days but compared to how it was it's a lot more bearable.
Think it'll be awhile yet though before I have no problems at all!
If any other artists stumble upon this and are suffering with a similar thing then it does get better! Find a good physio, make sure you rest and ice your arms and build them up slowly. It is hard to not draw for weeks but you will get back to it!
What's followed has been months of recovery, which is still on going but is finally at a stage where it's no longer painful. I couldn't draw at all for 6 weeks which was hell. I don't think I've ever not drawn for that long. It was hard and depressing. I felt like I'd lost part of myself. This was made harder by the fact that I was more or less in constant pain and was struggling to do most things because both my arms were injured.
So I spent most of my time walking listening to audiobooks. It was either that or sit around doing pretty much nothing except mindlessly watching videos, which I can't do for long.
But after months of physio I am more or less functioning normal in my day to day life. I don't think I'll be climbing for some time yet but I can deal with that. Being able to draw was my main concern as not only is it my career but my passion in life. As it stands I am getting back to full drawing potential, which is awesome! :) Still there are good and bad days but compared to how it was it's a lot more bearable.
Think it'll be awhile yet though before I have no problems at all!
If any other artists stumble upon this and are suffering with a similar thing then it does get better! Find a good physio, make sure you rest and ice your arms and build them up slowly. It is hard to not draw for weeks but you will get back to it!
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