Grateful Dead Music Forum

Well about three days ago I just could not play guitar, happens every once in a while. I must have strained my picking hand to compensate or something because now this vein on my hand is really uncomfortable when I play or just type. As guitar players has this happened to you? Sorry about this, I checked webmd and didnt find anythng... :(

Yeah I have this problem, I play banjo as well and its more in a vain in my rist above my hand.

I usually just stop for the day and pick back up the next day.

I dont like stopping so I usually play as long as I can untill I cant take it anymore.

Veins transport blood back to the heart. They cannot experience pain since they don't have nerves.

Most likely you stressed a tendon.

Happens all the time to me. I type all day, lift weights, mountain bike, road bike, ride a motorcycle, etc...

The things I've found to watch out for:
- never hard stretch a cold muscle
- stretch your arms softly during the day while typing
- stretch your arms while playing guitar (between songs)
- don't lift for muscle bulk if you are actively playing
- give your arms time off

vicodan will fix er right up!

I have some weird hand problems too playing piano...I find it best to stop (if possible) for a while....cause if it hurts when you do it, it's not good for whatever's wrong. Pain does not equal gain.

Thanks a lot, greatly limits what I can do but oh well. Thanks again

i really got into extreme left hand efficiency a little while ago and noticed my postion needed some change so i got really strict on correct playing position...this resulted in pain from time to time in my wrist...it was probably just from new stress on the muscles and tendons and it would go away naturally, just take breaks and dont over do it, its not a major issue. until u get tendonitis if u keep it up

Rub some dirt on it.

My guitar teacher always told me to stop playing if my hands hurt. Pain = stress on your body = signal from your body that says Stop It. Your body is warning you to cut it out before the pain gets more serious or permanent.

....... who knew that smilies had red skin under their yellow suits...