What to do about the pain?

[Lefty_SS]

Hey hey

So this is about the 100th time I've had to deal with this pain in my fingers. I play guitar everyday, anywhere from 2-7hours, depending if iam teaching or rehersing.

Every so often I get this pain that shoots down my fingers, my left hand index finger especially(im left handed so thats the finger i hold the pick with)

I figured it was from improper picking technique. So i anaylzed the way I was using my hand and now I practise with a very very carefull approach to my picking hand so this pain doesnt come back....

Well it did. not just in my one finger, but in all 8 of them, my thumbs seem to aviod the pain. Is this common? Or am I crazy? If anyone has gone through this or somthin similar, I would greatly appriciate your suggestions, Iam only 18 and I dont want to have to put up with this for much longer.

thanks alot guys

 

[roburado]

What do you mean "shoots down" your fingers? Do you mean from the fingertips into the hand and arm? Or from arm down into the fingers?

Does moving your neck make it worse?

What else makes it happen?

What makes it better? What makes it worse? What makes it go away?

How long has this been going on?

Sharp pain? Dull pain? Burning pain? How would you characterize the pain?

How bad is it on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the worst pain imaginable)?

How long has this been going on? How often does it happen? How long does it happen when it happens?

 

[Headstock]

What do you mean "shoots down" your fingers? Do you mean from the fingertips into the hand and arm? Or from arm down into the fingers?

Does moving your neck make it worse?

What else makes it happen?

What makes it better? What makes it worse? What makes it go away?

How long has this been going on?

Sharp pain? Dull pain? Burning pain? How would you characterize the pain?

How bad is it on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the worst pain imaginable)?

How long has this been going on? How often does it happen? How long does it happen when it happens?

Not bad for a Doctor in training...
You forgot a few important ones tho.


A) Who is your insurance provider?
B) Does it burn when you pee?

Oh and on this forum 11 is always acceptable. The pain scale should be 1 to 11

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Being both a guitarist and a healthcare professional, I go through stuff like this myself. I perform ultrasound, which is a very hands-on type of testing. I wind up contorting my hands and arms for 8+ hours a day, then come home a practice for about an hour. My pain hits me from mid forearm into my thumb.

I do stretching exercises with my arms, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my back. I also have to make myself hang up the guitar after a while. I'm happy to say that with those steps, plus some friendly NSAIDS, my hand pain only flares up every once in a while.

Lefty, It could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but it does have a rather specific set of symptoms, and it can be a little tricky to diagnose. Some doctors do testing like electromyelograms, MRI's. Most don't do surgery unless your symptoms aren't relieved with some form of physical or occupational therapy.

Stretching before and after repetitive motion, braces (wrist and or elbow), anti-inflammatories, and resting adequately between strenuous activites will help. I've even seen some guitarists (like Kirk Hammett) tape their picking hand across the palm to help the tendons from binding up. Getting your doctor to work you up for it and getting a good treatment plan will help even more.

 

[roburado]

Getting your doctor to work you up for it and getting a good treatment plan will help even more.

Yeah, you know, it was eventually going to lead up to this point.

 

[Colin]

1. if you are experiencing pain, go and see a doctor (who will probably refer you to a specialist).
2. If you are concerned and like playing the guitar without pain, refer to point number 1.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Yeah, you know, it was eventually going to lead up to this point.

Sorry, I did kind of steal your thunder.

Rob, are you an MD in training? what year are you? Specializing in anything???

 

[roburado]

No problem about stealing thunder. As I said, it was eventually going to the "go see a doctor" recommendation, the smartest advice anyone could give over the forum. I was just curious to see what it was all about.

 

[lumberjack]

Hey Jake,

When are ya leaving for California?

 

[tommyindelaware]

different things work for different folks.......but when i got on balanced vitiman & mineral pills........& switched to whole grains..........& achieved proper blood sugar levels.....it did away w/ 95 % on my pain & cramping.......& all the tingling.
i feel your body is an amazing electrical system.....& needs the proper nutrients to generate the proper chemicals to be able to properly conduct & power the circuts.

 

[fogman]

different things work for different folks.......but when i got on balanced vitiman & mineral pills........& switched to whole grains..........& achieved proper blood sugar levels.....it did away w/ 95 % on my pain & cramping.......& all the tingling.
i feel your body is an amazing electrical system.....& needs the proper nutrients to generate the proper chemicals to be able to properly conduct & power the circuts.

always good info Tommy!

 

[Dizzy]

Try Playing Right-Handed

OK, Seriously :

Considering it's now both hands, which do very different things on the guitar, with arms in very different positions, I'd be checking your posture and looking for irritation / Tension/ stress in the Cervical Spine - especially the C3-C4 area.
Tension / Stress / Inflammation / Irritation in that area can play havoc with hands etc.
I have had to make minor adjustments to some parts of my life to cope with damage to that area from Aussie Football injuries, plus a rather significant car accident.
Everything got tight after, which can also happen from non-impact events - such as strain related to poor posture.
Stretching is essential to keep things supple.

If it's not C-Spine related, just hope it's not a form of arthritis a friend had.

See a doctor / physio / specialist for sure.




I hope it all comes good mate.

 

[candid_x]

I've posted this twice before on this forum for related problems, but I don't think anyone took it seriously. Of course, see a medical professional if the problem persists, but since my son sent me one of these, my wrist/hand/finger pain (probably carpel tunnel related) are now very manageable. This isn't a gimmick - it's an effective tool. Even if you don't experience pain, the Dyna-Flex strengthens forearm, wrist, hand and fingers, and improves mobility and dexterity.

DynaFlex International. The Dynaflex product line is designed to aid in sports rehabilitation and conditioning.

 

[Lefty_SS]

hey

thanks for all of the info guys

its probly a 7 on the scale when it hits the worst, the part i hate is when it numbs over becuase i drop my pick hehe...

...im of on september 18th for LA dude! come by the shop berfore I go...and If you can make it, my dad and I's cover band is playin at the oshawa legion on the 14th of september!!!

 

[lumberjack]

hey

thanks for all of the info guys

its probly a 7 on the scale when it hits the worst, the part i hate is when it numbs over becuase i drop my pick hehe...

...im of on september 18th for LA dude! come by the shop berfore I go...and If you can make it, my dad and I's cover band is playin at the oshawa legion on the 14th of september!!!

That's cool, Jake. I've got to drop by the store before you leave. I haven't seen you guys in a while. I'll try to get to the show, too.

Later

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I've posted this twice before on this forum for related problems, but I don't think anyone took it seriously. Of course, see a medical professional if the problem persists, but since my son sent me one of these, my wrist/hand/finger pain (probably carpel tunnel related) are now very manageable. This isn't a gimmick - it's an effective tool. Even if you don't experience pain, the Dyna-Flex strengthens forearm, wrist, hand and fingers, and improves mobility and dexterity.

DynaFlex International. The Dynaflex product line is designed to aid in sports rehabilitation and conditioning.

We had a physical therapist come into work and walk us through a bunch of exercises we could do to help avoid RSI's (repetitive Stress Injuries). They used something like this to help stretch everything out. A little light resistance helps. ..

Good find.

 

[candid_x]

We had a physical therapist come into work and walk us through a bunch of exercises we could do to help avoid RSI's (repetitive Stress Injuries). They used something like this to help stretch everything out. A little light resistance helps. ..

Good find.

It's pretty amazing how much force this thing is capable of generating. 9,000 RPM at 25 lb. of torque is a lot to hold onto. Naturally, that's maxed out, but it's easy to find a speed/power that works best for you. It actually tones the arms, as well as provide therapeutic value for RSI type problems. And, no, I'm not getting a commission on sales.

 

[SharonG]

Physical therapy such as stretching and execising to strengthen and protect areas from RSI work well, but doing the wrong thing for the wrong reason can worsen the problem, and potentially prevent you from playing.
Pain in both hands could be cervical spine related (I know this first hand) - see your priamry care doctor or even a sports medicine specialist. You may not realize you are an athlete, but you are using your muscles and joints, right? Same principles apply for musicians as high performance athletes.

Good Luck!