Grateful Dead Music Forum

i've been experiencing some pain in my wrist, and the tops of my hands, and a tendonitus thing up my arm.. i had mild stuff awhile ago and went to the doctor and they haven't been any help.

There's some tension in my neck and shoulder, i've tried to warm up, stretch and practice a bit more gently and correcting my posture, but its not working.

I've considered yoga or physical therapy.. anyone else have similar problems and some advice?

My wrists have been hurting the last 2-3 months or so, and I think it's poor posture at my work computer, but I'm more hoping I can just deal with it and that it worn't get any worse. I've gotten a few ergonomic items for resting my wrists, so I hope that helps, but I've also considered the doctor route, but don't want to go there until I need to. It hasn't really affected my playing as of yet, that I can see, but believe me, if/when it does I'll be hitting up whatever I need to to fix it. Let me know if you find any solutions/stretches/excercises.

Sorry, I know that's not much help, but figured I'd share.

Is it something that happens just when you play guitar? If so then maybe you should just take a break from it for a while.

sadly its a pain thats just there.. its not too bad, but certian movements and grabbing things certain ways sends pain.. but no its not just when i play guitar, but now when im picking up the guitar im feeling a certain weakness and lack of coordination

sounds awful, someone i jammed with in high school and who pushed me to learn had the same problem. he was a great player and a tech guy for guitar center. he had to stop playing all together and wear a brace on his arm. he hasnt picked up a guitar in like 4 years, no joke. sure hope you dont have the same problem.

Get a book called "Body Reflexology: Healing at Your Fingertips"

Find a good massage therapist. One with Cranial-Sacral Therapy should really help.
massaging my shoulders and neck really helped me (you need to get all around the shoulder blade)
Working on your posture will help too.

The Reflexology book has some really good stuff in it.


If you want more info, let me know


Raphael

heroin does a good job curing that pain...j/k...i get the same thing, including like a cyst or water build up kinda thing in my wrist, but i always play through it, hurts like hell, i feel ya bro....I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. - Raoul Duke

If it's from playing they say adjust your guitar strap to a different position. I don't know how true that is but I thought I throw that out there.

I bought one of these gyro balls. I don't have any problems "knock on wood" but this thing really loosen up the hand and wrist

I have always found Scotch to be helpful...

hand and wrist pain suck
1st you should exersize hands and wrists.
2nd look at the way you rest them.
are you sleeping on them? thats bad.
try http://www.japanshakuhachi.com/handcareformusic.html
your hands are your art output. you need to really take care of them.
I hope you feel better soon

just out of curiousity, hows your sex life??

^^^


good call too about not sleeping on your hands...i have a long time habit of sleeping with my head on a hand and sometimes i do wake up to pain/tightness/soreness....sometimes it goes away in an hour sometimes it last 2 days, anyway just thought id second that...and also just alway strecth not just your wrists either, everything...and if your not gigging dont force it, if u have pain that bad detox from you guitar for a week man...its not worth it to possibly cause long term damage

Good suggestions here. If you feel like the pain is in the joints, try some Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Any vitamin store will have brands that contain both. I was having TERRIBLE pains in my elbows from playing and took this stuff for about 3 months. The pain is gone and has stayed away even though i quit taking the supplements. It actually rebuilds the tissues in the joints. That, and these other recommendations, should help.

Peace,

Gil

Thanks wow Good stuff here. I too have suffered from the pain. I have found it to be for me more of a Cubital tunnel syndrome than a carpal tunnel. It started about 8 months after I got a new electric. I think my posture must be better when I play acoustic or the neck causes less pain. My electric has a very thin neck.
The things I did that seemed to help.
.Making sure my arm was straight when I slept.
.I exercised my hand in the opposite direction, pushing the fingers outward, like opening the hand against something.
.Washing my hands before playing with warm water at least and using a warm/very warm towel on the forearm.

I believe I hurt my elbow in Amsterdam at the Van Gogh museum. That and playing the new guitar alot. If I think about it I can feel it right now.
this book looks good Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : And Other Repetitive Strain Injuries I think I am gonna get it.

gr8fulbluz wrote:Thanks wow Good stuff here. I too have suffered from the pain. I have found it to be for me more of a Cubital tunnel syndrome[/url] than a carpal tunnel. It started about 8 months after I got a new electric. I think my posture must be better when I play acoustic or the neck causes less pain. My electric has a very thin neck.
The things I did that seemed to help.
.Making sure my arm was straight when I slept.
.I exercised my hand in the opposite direction, pushing the fingers outward, like opening the hand against something.
.Washing my hands before playing with warm water at least and using a warm/very warm towel on the forearm.

I had the same thing with the Cubital tunnel syndrome. Remember, massage is your friend. You may feel it in your hand and the MDs may say it is coming from your elbow, but working on your neck, shoulders and back are going to help. it's what helped me.