achey and stiff wrists...
- Thread starter Estin
- Start date
NorM
Well-known member
While visiting my shredding friend last weekend we sat and played for about 8 hours. My wrist got sore like never before. Streching exercises became the order of the day. The problem was I was sitting. Usually I stand up and strap my guitar on. I think JimiD had some serious problems with this. Hopefully he will share some proper stretching exercises with us. We would all do well to heed. I've been practicing alot lately what with shredfest coming up and all.
make sure you stretch your wrists, and make sure you are using proper wrist techniques whilst playing.
if your wrists are inflamed make sure you ice it and a bit of anti-inflamitory (Advil ?) might help.
If they are incredibly sore make sure you see a doctor.
I got tendonitis once from playing guitar too long on a Saturday. I was playing incorectly and had to take 2 weeks off to recover. After 2 weeks it was still sore and could only play for about 15 min. It is so strange to actualy hear the tendons creak when I made a fist.
here are some stretches:
http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm
Musicians are prone to repetitve stress syndrome
Take care
if your wrists are inflamed make sure you ice it and a bit of anti-inflamitory (Advil ?) might help.
If they are incredibly sore make sure you see a doctor.
I got tendonitis once from playing guitar too long on a Saturday. I was playing incorectly and had to take 2 weeks off to recover. After 2 weeks it was still sore and could only play for about 15 min. It is so strange to actualy hear the tendons creak when I made a fist.
here are some stretches:
http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm
Musicians are prone to repetitve stress syndrome
Take care
mine comes and goes, i've been playng fine for like the past 2 weeks and now today its just too stiff and achey to play. it litterally throbs achey stabs while i just lay here and watch tv. i notice the pains mostly in my palms. like carpultunnel (sp) maybe? i'm really younge to be getting this stuff already. i usually only play about a hour at time maybe little more. i don't have a band or any jam buddies where i live so i'm like the lone ranger or something.
Jimi D
Well-known member
pack-rat's right; in my experience, this can be serious ****!!!
Carpul, tendonitus, RSI - they can all cripple you, so paying attention to the warning signs is very important... I ignored the pain for only a few days, but even that was too long and it shelved me for weeks.
I make my day $$$ as a programmer, and the whole RSI thing is considered something of an occupational hazard, but when you work at a computer for eight hours a day and play guitar for two or three hours a night to unwind, you have to be especially careful to take care of your wrists and hands. I do a limited amount of stretching now before playing and run some progressively more demanding scales for about five minutes before starting to practice seriously if I'm feeling more disciplined than an idle noodle session, but the main thing I do is listen to my body - vis. if it hurts, I stop!
I also take a daily regime of Glucosamine and Chrondroitin supplements which help A LOT! Do some web research to satisfy any concerns you might have about taking drugs like these on a regular basis, but I have found - personally - that they give me huge results with negligible risks. That being said, I've heard you should not take these supplements if you are alergic to shellfish or diabetic...
Ice packs and anti-inflamatory drugs can provide symptomatic relief, but they are not a cure. Any pain that lasts more than a few days you should probably get checked out by a physician. And you should never play when your wrists are hurting... the "No Pain, No Gain" philosophy can ruin guitar players...
That's what I've learned in my experiences with this stuff, anyway... of course, ymmv... I hope you get well soon, Estin...
Carpul, tendonitus, RSI - they can all cripple you, so paying attention to the warning signs is very important... I ignored the pain for only a few days, but even that was too long and it shelved me for weeks.
I make my day $$$ as a programmer, and the whole RSI thing is considered something of an occupational hazard, but when you work at a computer for eight hours a day and play guitar for two or three hours a night to unwind, you have to be especially careful to take care of your wrists and hands. I do a limited amount of stretching now before playing and run some progressively more demanding scales for about five minutes before starting to practice seriously if I'm feeling more disciplined than an idle noodle session, but the main thing I do is listen to my body - vis. if it hurts, I stop!
I also take a daily regime of Glucosamine and Chrondroitin supplements which help A LOT! Do some web research to satisfy any concerns you might have about taking drugs like these on a regular basis, but I have found - personally - that they give me huge results with negligible risks. That being said, I've heard you should not take these supplements if you are alergic to shellfish or diabetic...
Ice packs and anti-inflamatory drugs can provide symptomatic relief, but they are not a cure. Any pain that lasts more than a few days you should probably get checked out by a physician. And you should never play when your wrists are hurting... the "No Pain, No Gain" philosophy can ruin guitar players...
That's what I've learned in my experiences with this stuff, anyway... of course, ymmv... I hope you get well soon, Estin...
tvanveen
Well-known member
Totaly agree on the glucosamine.
I also use a healthy hand gym -
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...5611944/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429071/
Good luck!
tv
I also use a healthy hand gym -
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...5611944/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429071/
Good luck!
tv
well i had it x-rayed over a year ago *work accident* in which i wasn't hurt but the doc said i had a unusual amount of wear in my wrist which in time might lead to discomfort. i guess i'm not really sure where i should go from here. currently don't have any insurance so seeing another doc is outa the question. lol
tvanveen
Well-known member
I'm with you on the lack of insurance, being self-employed...
The exercises are free, it couldn't hurt to try them...if they do, stop!
You've probably got ibuprofen, I sometimes pop a couple before a long practice session.
Ice your hands and wrists down after you play.
This is all almost free....the glucosamine ain 't, but it does work, unlike most supplement quack "cures".
No offense to the supplement quacks.
tv
The exercises are free, it couldn't hurt to try them...if they do, stop!
You've probably got ibuprofen, I sometimes pop a couple before a long practice session.
Ice your hands and wrists down after you play.
This is all almost free....the glucosamine ain 't, but it does work, unlike most supplement quack "cures".
No offense to the supplement quacks.
tv
