Wrist Pains, ouch Options

[Brian Griffin]

I'm getting a lot of pain in my wrist lately ive been playing for years but only what you would call "serious" practice for about 6 months and I still get an almost cramp like feeling in my wrist mainly from Power Chord playing but also if im doing legato.

I was wondering if there was something in my thumb position, with power chords I have my thumb against the back of the neck with my first finger playing the root note and muting the bottom unused strings.

Could this be the problem if so how else should I be playing Power Chords.

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[Robin]

Aaiiii, sounds scary. Legato, power chords, barre chords, not good. Unless you warm up, take breaks, RELAX and stretch. You shouldnt use too much muscles when playing stuff like that, it's almost only about technique. Takes time to get it right without using lot of power.

If you feel any pain you should just stop immediately and take a few days off. If it doesnt go away you should go to a physical therapist.
When you start practicing again, make sure you take small breaks every 20-30min, and stretch good after every practice session. Relaxing is also very important, make sure you dont use too much muscles etc.

May I also recommend muscle gel. Very effective. Look for some blue goo at the pharmacy

Good luck.

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[Owen]

Your hand position sounds fine mate.

How low do you keep your strap when playing, this can cause wrist tension too!

In any case it'd be wise to take a break until things heal up and feel comfortable again!

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[Brian Griffin]

Owen, I keep my guitar on my right knee and slightly elevated, I rarely play stood up.

Robin, I have a fair bit of muscle rub in the house but if I put too much on the fumes from it make my eyes water

Just been playing around with my position of thumb trying to keep it straight rather than off to an angle but that doesn't seem to make much difference, i'm fine around the middle of the fretboard it's mainly an f5 power chord on the first 3 frets that hurts or any Legato in the first position. Anything on the E, A or D strings past about the 14th fret hurts as well.
I'm playing a Yamaha Pacifica and the action is pretty high do you think that could be a problem.

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[Robin]

the action is pretty high do you think that could be a problem.

That might be. Try to relax and dont use too much muscles when fretting. I recommend that you take a few days off and see if it gets better

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[Owen]

High action could cause tension but on an electric guitar it seems unlikely that your going to have action above acoustic level which is still fine for most people.

I'd say you maybe need to ease the periods you're playing for with breaks every once in a while but other than that you seem to be doing all the right things to avoid any form of injury. Certainly is strange

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[DeepRoots]

That might be. Try to relax and dont use too much muscles when fretting. I recommend that you take a few days off and see if it gets better

defnitley.

Have you tried playing in a more classical position? on left leg?

Perhaps after half a week of rest you should just give it a try- you're wrist may agree with this angle more than right leg position.

Remember to warm up with things like chords instead of going into anything too rough straight away.

Let us know how it feels over the next week- perhaps post back at the end of each day so that we can see if its working?

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[Brian Griffin]

defnitley.

Have you tried playing in a more classical position? on left leg?

Perhaps after half a week of rest you should just give it a try- you're wrist may agree with this angle more than right leg position.

Remember to warm up with things like chords instead of going into anything too rough straight away.

Let us know how it feels over the next week- perhaps post back at the end of each day so that we can see if its working?

Ive tried both knees it definitely hurts less on raised left knee, ill try giving it a break till maybe Sunday, use the time to search here for stretching and warm up exercises.
It's very weird the way the pain is more severe in first position maybe its because of the stretch and me not doing any stretching before hand.

Thanks for all the help, just my look just set up a new practice schedule and finally cracked learning the major scale oh well.

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[Robin]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bINkQUbA33o John Petrucci showing some stretching and stuff.

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[Brian Griffin]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bINkQUbA33o John Petrucci showing some stretching and stuff.

Thanks think ill take special notice of that Wrist stretch.

Edit: I think its almost certainly from squeezing too hard to make the notes ring out also as strange as this sounds I think I keep my elbow tucked in regardless of where on the neck im playing which would make my arm bend at really strange and painfull angles i'm going to have to take some time to iron out really bad habits by the looks of things

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This post has been edited by Brian Griffin: Feb 6 2008, 08:53 AM