Right Arm Getting Tired Quickly, Possible injury on it's way? Options

[Kristian Hyvarin...]

Hi guys, this is totally a topic that's been discussed here a couple of hundred times, but all the same, I thought it'd be best to make a new thread.

The problem is my right arm when I'm playing. I had a small break last week (didn't play for three days or so) and then I went back to my "two hours every morning and more if my fingers can take it" routine. I noticed yesterday that my right arm seems to get tired pretty quickly when strumming (funk skunk stuff in pretty fast tempos) or playing fast AP licks. Today it got tired even more quickly, and I felt there was a subtle promise of forthcoming pain if I kept playing (it's funny how you can feel it beforehand). So I took a break and tried to play again, but I got tired again all the same.

Now my right wrist and elbow hurt a little when I use them, not much, not even enough to disturb me, but a little anyway. I'd like to keep playing since I feel I've got through a MAJOR breakthrough in my playing just recently (in these couple of days) and I'd like to try not to "forget" the feel for it. So I'm afraid I'll "lose" that knack if I take a break...

... but I can hear everyone already saying: take a break - and I understand why. Do you have suggestions how I should use this time I need for recovery from this upcoming injury (which is most likely caused by overworking)? Should I play at all? How long a time should I take?

Any responses are welcome.

Kristian

[Ben Higgins]

Do you have suggestions how I should use this time I need for recovery from this upcoming injury (which is most likely caused by overworking)? Should I play at all? How long a time should I take?

Ah Maaan, I hate it when that happens ! Well it seems like you've taken notice of what you're body's telling you which is a good thing. I always worried about losing my ability for things I'd recently made progress with too.. but from the other other side I can say it doesn't happen. You may have to spend some time easing yourself back into the groove of things but any muscular development you made won't just vanish ! If I've ever had a 2 week layoff or something like that, it's only ever taken roughly an hour of warming up and practicing/playing for me to feel back to my old self again, so don't worry yourself too much about that.

You could probably benefit from at least a few days off (of intense right hand work at least) just to let things calm down but you may not need to completely put down the guitar. I'd say no right hand work for about 3 days, then slowly start using it again but not for intense AP exercises, just normally for strumming and light use, just to keep it moving. and all the bits working. If you can do this for a few days and there's no pain then begin introducing the stuff you were doing bit by bit.

Or, the other alternative is just have a break and do something completely different. Go and try and complete some old computer games again ?

[Kristian Hyvarin...]

Yeah, I guess I do have some entrance exams I should be studying for...

Thanks for the response, that's what I thought too. I'll probably take a break till it doesn't hurt at all and then slowly get to the feel of things.

[Ivan Milenkovic]

It happens to everybody, don't worry!

If you were haven't gotten to run in 3 days at all, there is no way you will do anything valuable if you run 10 circles on the 4th day!

That won't be that beneficial to your muscles, your routine, your training, your body would get tired fast. Same thing happens when you practice guitar - the very same.

The main thing you should do now is just rest, and take it easy. If you took a break, you must understand that you need to increase your practice sessions gradually. On the first day of practice, do some easy exercises for a half an hour, that should do it! On the next day do it a bit more, 35 mins, then 45 mins and so on..

This is just an example, try to see what works best for you, but the point should remain the same.

Regarding "loosing the knack", this is not true at all, and don't worry! Even if you would not practice for a month, it would take only day or two of focused practice to get back on the track. So, rest assure that your health is more important, and do your sessions more effectively and more shorter. Increase gradually, and it will be OK

One important thing regarding guitar practice: it's about being persistent. Try to work with metronome every day, at least 15-20 mins at least, and it will be OK. Laying down guitar for bigger time intervals will for sure deteriorate technique.

[Kristian Hyvarin...]

Played nothing yesterday, just some light chord work today. Result... after five minutes left wrist screaming in pain. Damn me, it sure seems that I have totally been overworking both my hands in the last couple of months.

I'm taking a week off playing, completely. I don't want to have anything permanent, just the thought gives me the chills.

[Azzaboi]

Can you do wrist rolls and finger stretchs without it hurting? If not, you might want to check for a fractured bone, pulled muscle, or carpet tunnel.

[Kristian Hyvarin...]

As a matter of fact I can! Seems that my problem actually has been overworking and by taking some days (this notorious week I mean) off I'm hoping to solve it. Not forgetting the advice given to me in this topic.

But it's mean, man, playing's like a drug or something. I keep thinking of excuses to get back to playing immediately. Maybe reading a book'll help.

[maharzan]

Its a great news actually. You are about to give birth.. Jokes aside, when this sort of things happen, my experience has been really nice. It feels like I have achieved something. Keep practicing but don't overdo it. Thats the rule. After a week of practice the pain should go.