Off Topic tendonitis

[ScoobySteve]

Also some therapeutic and preventative measures...... STRETCH! I do a full arm stretch on both arms before and after I play. I used to run cross country and lift weights. Not stretching is crazy. Making sure you got proper bloodflow and all your muscles ligaments and other connective tissue are nice and limber. Also. Getting a hot towel to massage your hands with pre playing does wonders. It surprises a lot of people how much better they play when they stretch.

Good luck man.

 

[BrickGlass]

I used to get tendonitis all the time from playing guitar. Many trips to the doctor and it was usually just Iboprofen or anti-inflammatory pills and rest. However, after getting really sick of getting the tendonitis I decided to start doing some research on how to prevent it. The best advice I ever found was to really stretch out the muscle groups you will be using when playing. After having problems with tendonitis for years I started really stretching out and massaging the muscles in the hand, wrist, arms and fingers everyday before I would play or go to teach a guitar lesson. I cannot believe the difference it made for me. Stretches and massages to loosen up the muscles every single time before playing and no more problems for the last 12 years or so.

 

[brownpants69]

Sorry for the threadromancy...

I'm finally getting to the bottom of the problem now. I was referred to the physio through work, and it turns out I "have a lot going on". It seems that I have a back injury that didn't heal properly and is affecting the nerves in my back, neck and arms. After what my GP said, it isn't actually tendonitis. The pain I've been experiencing from a nerve that runs from my neck down to my hands (I forget the name now- doh). I've got exercises and a few more physio appointments and should be better soon.

I've started playing again, but it's hard work at the moment. Moral of the story- always get a second opinion

 

[paranoid70]

So for lack of a better phrase... where does it hurt? I have been playing more than ever lately, and I am starting to notice some pain/soreness in my left hand, near the knuckles on my ring and pinky fingers.

Yeah, I guess I should lay back a little more... but I am just starting to jam with some new players that are all great. I really want this new project to work out. All the more reason to take it easy before it gets worse I guess.

 

[brownpants69]

I had a good talk with the physio about symptoms and tendon pain can occur where there are tendons (fingers, hand, wrist, elbow), but not in the middle of the lower arm which was where i was suffering the most (which most likely to be a symptom of a nerve related problem).

The advice regarding the guitar playing was not to over do it and warm up slowly and stretch properly. I'm limiting myself to 10-15 mins at a time after warm ups and stretches.

It's a pain as I have loads of songs to learn for my friends prog band, and I have other commitments with tribute and cover bands. I play a lot of different stuff and have to revisit a lot of material on a regular basis to keep it fresh in my memory.

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

Pretty much what everyone above me has said.

 

[DJ.]

Sorry, I know it is painful. I have been offline for a good while also while relocating. I managed to tear my rotator cuff during the move and it makes if difficult for me to play as well. Hope you get well soon.

 

[brownpants69]

Ouch. Hope that sorts itself out!

At least we have lovely comfy and well proportioned guitars to play.