Serious Tattooers only- Question?

Kat: Serious Tattooers only- Question?
I have many tattoos and Im working on my 2nd sleeve I had a 5 hour sitting in which I got most of my lower left arm done, this was about 48 hours ago. Im having extreme pain in my shoulder now, it hurts to move the joint. It has nothing to do with the tattoo itself, But has anyone expierenced extreme joint pain after a long sitting? I’ve been taking some pain pills and it isnt helping..

Answers and Views:

Answer by wtchysaphireeyes
I actually experience stiffness in my knees if I sit one way for a half hour. I try not to take too many meds because they don’t really help for it. The one thing I find that works when my muscles and joints get stiff is to massage the area. Use some muscle rub and just work the area that is stiffened and try to prevent it from being too stiff if possible and or using or overworking that part. It works sometimes not all the time sorry

Answer by PeachPie
Maybe it was all the vibrations of the needle?? It might just be that your arm was in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time. I would keep taking the pills and get it checked out in a few days if it still hurts.

Answer by stephydbusdrivr
alternate cold and heat and take Aleve or Ibuprofin but better if it is Aleve.

I have had extreme pain for days from just sitting.

Next time try to take a couple breaks and rotate your arms around.

Answer by JD
after getting a 5 hour+ sitting,for my right sleeve,i went home and woke up about 3 A.M. with horrific pain in my chest shoulder and back……..so to answer your question the answer is yes,and how i know this to be a fact is this is the same pain i felt after giving a long session as i am a former tattooist……stretch out on a exercise ball,and also i nice bath…it helps…..i also used to alternate between heat and ice on my affected joints

Answer by etrigone
Only once, but I’m a total wuss and tend not to do any sessions beyond 3 hours (only one of four hours).

I’d recommend some kind of applied heat, either as a heat pack or maybe a rub, assuming neither get onto the ink. I used a microwave heat pack when my elbow got sore after my upper left arm/shoulder was worked on and it seemed to help. In my case I was a complete idiot and had my arm in a bad location, plus had worked out too hard earlier that day. I always try to slip in one last session before the healing process takes me away from the gym for several sessions.

Best of luck to you, I have at least a vague idea of what you’re going through. Had you the wherewithal and access, a tattoo friendly chiropractor might help as well.

Addendum: One more thought. It might be worthwhile to try, if it’s something you’re up for, a rather old cure for cramping muscles (which I think this is). Heavier stout beers, porters and ales have stuff in them that seem to help out with this kind of problem. Once a month my gf swears by their muscle & joint relaxation properties… and yes, the alcohol is part of it, but there’s other stuff in there that helps as well.

Answer by sparkleythings_4you
Yes my ankle was very swollen up and also felt really weird for about 2 days after getting my tattoo done, not only was it the angle that I was sitting at to get the tattoo but also the vibration on the bone.