Who Knew???

I have this horrible blinding pain in the left side of my neck that doesn't let up. And guess where I got it? From sitting in one position for three hours, cross-stitching. Yes that's right. Cross-stitching! The most I thought I would get was maybe a prick from the needle and some blood. But no, cross-stitching lures you in and doesn't let you go. You say to yourself, just one more line and I promise I'll put it down. A few hours later and you realize you still haven't brought yourself to set the job aside.

So today I went online and Googled the keywords "hazards of cross-stitching" (words I never thought I'd ever type) and come to find out, there is a name for what I'm suffering. It's called SNSS (shoulder and neck strain syndrome).

Here is a quote from the website I visited:

"SNSS, a group of pain symptoms originating with the muscles between the lower neck and the shoulder, is also the most common CTD (cumulative trauma disorder) of the upper body. Who Is Most Vulnerable? The people most vulnerable to SNSS are those who keep their shoulders elevated or shrugged for extended periods of time. Repetitive work with the hands and tucking of the chin to one side add to the vulnerability."

Who Knew??? So if you are a first-time cross-stitcher like me, or your thinking of making this dangerous sport your new hobby. Beware! SNSS may strike on your very first attempt, as I am proof!