I am a graphic designer and have the dreaded carpal tunnel. I also do beaded jewelry and have hand trouble. When I swim a lot it acts up I thought swimming would be helpful and strengthening....
I have tried ART. That worked OK. I try to stretch every 15-20 minutes. Egoscue also has helped. If its from knitting, it might not be the hands, but other things in your arms and that is where it is manifesting. (like poor posture)
As for the bike, I change hand positions a lot and i have great gloves that take the pressure off the ulnar nerve. Made by Spenco. Yes I am sponsored by them from the Timex team, but the really do work for my hands. cycling does not bother my hands like it used to. I also talked to my bike fit guy about that when I got my new road bike.
Do you also have shims in your brakes? That helps a lot with the "reach" which was always taxing to my hands on a long steep downhill.
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Jeanne Roth
Team Timex 2007/2008
http://jeannejeannie.blogspot.com/