Has Anyone Experienced This???

stalkofta · #1 November 6th, 2007

I've increased my practice time to about two hours a day, concentrating on scales. I've developed a severe pain in my wrist at my thumb and running about half way up to my elbow(TENDON??). I'm really bumming out because I'm progressing really well and I don't want this to develop into a chronic problem. Has anyone else ever been thru this kind of pain before? I'd like to know what I should do? Any advice???

Dhaygood · #2 November 6th, 2007

First off...stop as soon as you feel pain. Sounds like you should have it checked out if it hurts that much. Vitamins B12 or b6 may help out. There's another one(I used) for joints. Can't remember the name..chrondastin!?..something like that. Someone here will probably know what it is. Plus...do you warm up first? Maybe shorter practice sessions? Hope this helps a little.

monk · #3 November 6th, 2007

If you're experiencing pain. STOP PLAYING. Give yourself a week to 10 days to heal. Tylenol would be the best choice for pain relief. You might also consider an elbow compression band and wrist immobilizer.

If the pain goes away ease slowly back into playing. Warm up before you begin your practice. Do not practice non-stop. Rest 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Rest means put the guitar down. No noodling.

The pain may be caused by overexertion & repetitive stress or it may be cause by poor technique. This would be a good time to evaluate your technique & posture. You might want to consult a good reputable teacher or physical therapist.

If the pain does not subside Seek Medical Help. Some larger cities have clinics that specialize in the physical problems of musicians. A sports clinic would be a good choice also.A massage
therapist might help speed the healing.

Good Luck,
Monk

starsailor · #4 November 6th, 2007

This pain's all too common to me as I have experienced it in my job in Horticulture (sounds better than Gardening). A large part of my job involves Hedgecutting, I used to cut hedges for 8 hours a day until the new Vibration Whitefinger laws came in.
I have had what you have several times and my Doctor always told me to cut right back on my Hedgecutting or it would get worse, after changing my work routine the pains slowly went away, I am though particularily careful about what I do at work as these injuries did affect my Guitar playing.
Monks advice is first class and there isn't much to add, it would be worth consulting a Doctor if you can as they will make sure you stick to a regime, if you continue to get pain you should stop for a while then do what Monk says, this could be just a minor tendon strain at the moment, it is I'd say an RSI caused either by too much playing when your body isn't used to it or your technique putting undue stress on your wrist, if not addressed it can get a lot worse but no need to worry at the moment as you've responded to the problem early, hope this helps in some way stalkofta but please look after yourself as you have a lifetime of guitar playing ahead of you.

Best Wishes

Chris

felixdcat · #5 November 6th, 2007

As soon as you feel pain, do it slowly, and just keep watching you're 100% rested. You're not in a hurry, are you?

allthumbs · #6 November 6th, 2007

That seems to be a common ailment of scale players. I have many friends who suffer from it. A few have had to have operations and one or two had to quit all together. Practicing scales for extended periods puts a lot of stress on your body. You have to work extra hard at eliminating tension in your hands and arms. Do lots of stretches and pay attention when your body says enough.

kajwhite · #7 November 6th, 2007

Bit of a coincidence but I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow as for the last month or so my shoulders (both) and biceps are very painful to the point where it is very difficult for me to put on a shirt!

I have tried the usual tablet medication and rubs etc but it just gets worse. I have been practicing around an hour a night for about eight months and am sure that it is linked to the guitar.

Anyway, I will let you know what the 'doc' says tomorrow and maybe it will be of help to you.

GotDeeBlues · #8 November 6th, 2007

Kajwhite, went through the same thing this summer on the right side only, though.. Turned out to be caused by too many hours with a dread. Bought a OOO and an electric to break up the stress and am finally able to go back to 3-4 a day on weekends and a couple 1 hr sessions weeekdays. Hope your's is no more serious. Be well.

kajwhite · #9 November 6th, 2007

Gotdeblues, don't know what a dread is but I am glad you are OK now. I will be fine as I have a few drinks in front of me and I am sure that the doc' will ask me how much etc. They always do in the UK. I am going in with a bad arm and he will want me to have a full MOT. I know this 'cus it happened last time and I lied again.
Anyways, I am 55 coming on 18 and I don't give a damn.

stalkofta · #10 November 6th, 2007

Guys, I guess I forgot to mention that my wrist pain is located on my picking hand side. Probably caused by repetitive up and down picking motions. Is this abnormal?

kajwhite · #11 November 6th, 2007

Where is Twin Cities by the way?

stalkofta · #12 November 6th, 2007

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. USA

wcostley · #13 November 6th, 2007

stalkofta,
I just automatically thought you were talking about your fretting wrist until you said different, I was going to tell you about a painful problem I had with my fretting hand index finger, any way it slowly got better by tape-ing it tight like they do athletes ankles sometimes, I don't know for sure obviously but even though it will be hard to lay off practicing so much, I have a feeling it will heal itself if you quit practicing the way you have been and spend the time learning some music theory so you don't feel so bad about not playing so much.
Good luck, hope I'm right and it starts getting better soon.
Skip

starsailor · #14 November 6th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajwhite

Gotdeblues, don't know what a dread is but I am glad you are OK now. I will be fine as I have a few drinks in front of me and I am sure that the doc' will ask me how much etc. They always do in the UK. I am going in with a bad arm and he will want me to have a full MOT. I know this 'cus it happened last time and I lied again.
Anyways, I am 55 coming on 18 and I don't give a damn.

I'm a bit of a stranger to the Doctors but I think I'm due my free medical as I hit 40 a few years ago, if I do go I usually get a lecture, it doesn't seem to matter what I go in for, I always get the same lecture, I drink a little and smoke a bit, so it's usually about these, to be honest I have always had Jobs that are quite physically demanding so I have loads of aches and pains, I kind of get worried when I haven't got one
On the subject of guitars, the Dreadnought is one of the larger guitars and this can make a difference as can the way you sit or stand when playing it's very easy to throw the whole body out, I haven't been playing that long but I got my posture all wrong when I started and was in quite a bit of pain, I think I've got it right now, I still have aches and pains from my job but the guitar is pretty kind to me. Hope the Doc. goes easy on you Kajwhite and things work out ok

Quote:

Originally Posted by stalkofta

Guys, I guess I forgot to mention that my wrist pain is located on my picking hand side. Probably caused by repetitive up and down picking motions. Is this abnormal?

Hi stalkofta, I don't think it's abnormal, it could be down to your technique, if there's too much tension in your hand that could be causing your problem, probably best to get it checked out, does sound like a Repetetive Strain Injury, hope it works out alright for you

allthumbs · #15 November 6th, 2007

Same thing applies to the picking hand Tension is the enemy. Heal and then learn to keep your wrist and forearm as relaxed as possible.