I Have A Mild Injury In My Arm, Please Help. Options

[fkalich]

I'm gonna go to a physical therapist asap, and today I started taking the pills the doctor gave me. I suppose this is more serious than I expected.

Btw Kris, I remember reading somewhere that one time you couldnt play for 6 months. How did it happen, and did you get 100% well after 6 months? I dont mind waiting 6 months aslong as I know that I will get 100% well.

One thing really sucks though, in exactly one month my band is recording a demo. Guess we just need to cancel it.

don't assume worst case scenario. generally the really really bad things don't happen. most of the time it is only a little bad or moderately bad. not always, but most of the time.

just assume it will not end up a big thing. if it does, you can deal with that then. but it probably will not be so bad when all is said and done. in my experience, most of the time that is the way it works out.

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[Owen]

The doctor suggested that I started to play very slow and easy for like 5 minutes a day, and also jogging, because it gets the blood stream flowing.

Quick question, does circulation affect possible straining?

I'm just asking because I have renauds, which means that the majority of the time my hands are like blocks of ice so I'm wondering if this could affect my ability to play at some point.

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[Robin]

don't assume worst case scenario. generally the really really bad things don't happen. most of the time it is only a little bad or moderately bad. not always, but most of the time.

just assume it will not end up a big thing. if it does, you can deal with that then. but it probably will not be so bad when all is said and done. in my experience, most of the time that is the way it works out.

Thanks man. I know that its not so bad that it will never get good, because I stopped playing before I noticed that my arm wasnt alright, I didnt continue playing. I suppose the real bad things happen if you continue for a long time while it hurts.

Quick question, does circulation affect possible straining?

I'm just asking because I have renauds, which means that the majority of the time my hands are like blocks of ice so I'm wondering if this could affect my ability to play at some point.

Yes it helps jogging to get the blood flowing. Both my dad and doctor told me that. I'm also constantly freezing on my hands.

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[Bali]

I'm having problems also, a tenosynovitis of the left pinkie. Too bad.

I have started physical therapy five days ago, and acupuncture today.
No playing for a while. Will take it easy, trying to avoid surgery.

I have recordings scheduled for February and gigs in Europe in the summer. Hopefully I'll be fine by then.

Take it easy guys and try getting the best specialists, it's worth the time and money.

Some useful links:

http://eeshop.unl.edu/music.html
http://www.davidlnelson.md/
http://www.downloadthesoft.com/1_3364.html
http://www.handfootcare.com/hands_musicians.htm
http://eeshop.unl.edu/text/nor.txt
http://alexandertechnique.com/

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[Robin]

I'm having problems also, a tenosynovitis of the left pinkie. Too bad.

I have started physical therapy five days ago, and acupuncture today.
No playing for a while. Will take it easy, trying to avoid surgery.

I have recordings scheduled for February and gigs in Europe in the summer. Hopefully I'll be fine by then.

Take it easy guys and try getting the best specialists, it's worth the time and money.

Some useful links:

http://eeshop.unl.edu/music.html
http://www.davidlnelson.md/
http://www.downloadthesoft.com/1_3364.html
http://www.handfootcare.com/hands_musicians.htm
http://eeshop.unl.edu/text/nor.txt
http://alexandertechnique.com/

Sorry to hear that, I hope you will get well soon. I'm also gonna record in exactly one month, I doubt I will be able to do that though. Even if I'm well in one month, my band still have to practice alot before the recording. Atm the worst part I think is telling my band and the guy that we're recording with that I might not be able to play. We have planned this for a while. I already tried telling one of my bandmembers that I might not make the recording. He wasnt happy, it seemed to me that he tried to make it my faulth, like I was doing it on purpose

Thanks for the links btw, I'll check them out.

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This post has been edited by Robin: Nov 15 2007, 07:28 AM

[Bali]

You can always tell the guys to do the recordings and you can add your parts later.

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[Robin]

You can always tell the guys to do the recordings and you can add your parts later.

That will unfortunately not work. I'm the only guitarist, we have alot of stops where I play alone, and the guy we're recording with is travelling for several hours to get here. And it will cost a fortune if I have to do the guitars later. Thanks for the thought though.

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[Rock]

That will unfortunately not work. I'm the only guitarist, we have alot of stops where I play alone, and the guy we're recording with is travelling for several hours to get here. And it will cost a fortune if I have to do the guitars later. Thanks for the thought though.

I had a similar problem with my left forearm. I was getting pain from the elbow to the wrist, basically tendonitis. I went to see a doctor and he said ice it and rest it. Well, I iced regularly rested it for a couple of weeks and the pain seemed to pretty much go away, but as soon as I started practicing it came right back. I did some research on the internet and found a site where the doctor specializes in similar issues and spoke about this being very common with guitar playing. Rest of course was suggested, but she also suggested filling two sinks one with hot water and one with cool water and submerse for 10 minutes in warm then 10 minutes in cool and go back and forth a few times finishing up with cool to hold down the inflamation. In addition, she suggested that before warming up to submerse in warm water only to get the blood flowing as early as possible through the muscles and then soak in cold water after practice to reduce the inflamation. I did that for one week and all my symptoms went away. Again, you should still continue to see a doctor but it is definitely worth a try.

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[Robin]

I had a similar problem with my left forearm. I was getting pain from the elbow to the wrist, basically tendonitis. I went to see a doctor and he said ice it and rest it. Well, I iced regularly rested it for a couple of weeks and the pain seemed to pretty much go away, but as soon as I started practicing it came right back. I did some research on the internet and found a site where the doctor specializes in similar issues and spoke about this being very common with guitar playing. Rest of course was suggested, but she also suggested filling two sinks one with hot water and one with cool water and submerse for 10 minutes in warm then 10 minutes in cool and go back and forth a few times finishing up with cool to hold down the inflamation. In addition, she suggested that before warming up to submerse in warm water only to get the blood flowing as early as possible through the muscles and then soak in cold water after practice to reduce the inflamation. I did that for one week and all my symptoms went away. Again, you should still continue to see a doctor but it is definitely worth a try.

Thanks man. Some guys I know suggested the same thing, but I havent tried it yet. Gonna give it a shot, thanks.

As you were saying, a few times back and forth, but am I doing this once a day or more?

Oh and, first in cool and then warm? Or maybe it doesnt matter

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This post has been edited by Robin: Nov 15 2007, 07:11 PM

[Jeff]

Sorry to hear about this Robin. I hope you're feeling better soon. You would never want things to happen like this but maybe a little time off from playing can give you some time to think about how you want your new recording to sound. Maybe during this time you can envision some new ideas in your head and then when you are healed up, which I bet will be soon, you can apply them to your songs.

Don't get discouraged. I'm sure you'll be back out there soon rockin' the house! I will be anxious to hear your songs! So now that we know you are going to record, you are REQUIRED to let us hear!

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[Robin]

Thanks alot man, of course I will show the recordings to everyone at GMC

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[chaztrip]

I am sorry to hear about the injurys.... but I am glad that I am not alone I have a case of Trigger Finger in my left pinkey.... It devleoped last year from golfing and now since I have picked back up playing guitar again it is messing with me. I went to a new hand doc last week and got a cortizone shot... that has helped but I still am lacking strength in it and sometimes it just plain hurts. In reading some of the stuff below I might have tenosynovitis ..... basicly trigger finger is caused by the tendon sheath getting inflamed and it wont let the tendon glide smoothly. I hope for all of us that we can get past this.

My Doc is on my side... he said no matter what we will get to the bottom of this and help me so I can continue to play guitar.

Chaz

I'm having problems also, a tenosynovitis of the left pinkie. Too bad.

I have started physical therapy five days ago, and acupuncture today.
No playing for a while. Will take it easy, trying to avoid surgery.

I have recordings scheduled for February and gigs in Europe in the summer. Hopefully I'll be fine by then.

Take it easy guys and try getting the best specialists, it's worth the time and money.

Some useful links:

http://eeshop.unl.edu/music.html
http://www.davidlnelson.md/
http://www.downloadthesoft.com/1_3364.html
http://www.handfootcare.com/hands_musicians.htm
http://eeshop.unl.edu/text/nor.txt
http://alexandertechnique.com/

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

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[RobM]

@RobM
Sorry to hear about your neck, I hope you make a fast recovery.
Update:

My hand specialist says my right hand is ok, not screwed up like the left one. It's just been overused and needs some rest. I'd go into detail, but it sucks typing with one hand.

So, in 5 weeks I get this cast off and see if I need surgery.

My membership renewal is up in 2 weeks, so I guess I won't be renewing until I know that I don't need surgery or until I am completely recovered from surgery. Anyone know if I can still participate in the forums?

Until then, I'll will be working on my right-hand tapping
haha, yeah. I tried it to!

Thanks I went back to the DR today and now I have to see a specialist for my neck on Monday 11/19. Sucks being without the guitar for so long, but health has to come first I guess .

I hope that you have a speedy recover yourself (same to you Robin) and that you only need the rest that you're talking about. Being injured regardless of how it happened and what area of the body it is really sucks!

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[Bali]

I am sorry to hear about the injurys.... but I am glad that I am not alone I have a case of Trigger Finger in my left pinkey.... It devleoped last year from golfing and now since I have picked back up playing guitar again it is messing with me. I went to a new hand doc last week and got a cortizone shot... that has helped but I still am lacking strength in it and sometimes it just plain hurts. In reading some of the stuff below I might have tenosynovitis ..... basicly trigger finger is caused by the tendon sheath getting inflamed and it wont let the tendon glide smoothly. I hope for all of us that we can get past this.

My Doc is on my side... he said no matter what we will get to the bottom of this and help me so I can continue to play guitar.

Chaz

Tenosynovitis and trigger finger are the same thing, I'm not sure cortisone shots are a good solution long term, i'm going for physical therapy to retrain the system + physiotherapy and I'm getting better really fast, specially ultrasound, short wave + laser treatmets. There's plenty of info in the net, I think it is one of the most common hand problems, I'm now checking 'Eastwood technique' in case I need surgery. LET'S GET BETTER GUYS!!!

UPDATED JAN 08: Physiotherapy did its thing, I'm much better now, I bought a small portable ultrasound device and I'm using it everyday, also taking magnesium supplements + B vitamin

Some additional info here that applies to all tendonitis:
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/trigger_finger.html

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This post has been edited by Bali: Jan 30 2008, 07:38 AM

[Rock]

Thanks man. Some guys I know suggested the same thing, but I havent tried it yet. Gonna give it a shot, thanks.

As you were saying, a few times back and forth, but am I doing this once a day or more?

Oh and, first in cool and then warm? Or maybe it doesnt matter

I would start with warm, very warm, almost hot. That will help to get the blood flowing through all the muscles. That's what it's really all about, getting as much blood into the muscles as possible. The next step of cooling is to hold down the inflammation. So if you feel you are up for practicing again, go back and forth but make sure to end with very warm just before you start practicing so your muscles are nice and warm. When you are finished practicing submerse in cold which again will help reduce inflammation. It can't hurt. I was shocked how quickly I recovered after I began this regiment and I'm 43. If you're in your 20's you should repair even faster. My issue stemmed from overuse which was increased weightlifting and guitar practice at the same time. I stopped the lifting until I had it under control and was able to continue to practice my guitar after about a week layoff. Now I am slowly increasing my workout routine and making sure I don't create the same issue.

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[Robin]

I would start with warm, very warm, almost hot. That will help to get the blood flowing through all the muscles. That's what it's really all about, getting as much blood into the muscles as possible. The next step of cooling is to hold down the inflammation. So if you feel you are up for practicing again, go back and forth but make sure to end with very warm just before you start practicing so your muscles are nice and warm. When you are finished practicing submerse in cold which again will help reduce inflammation. It can't hurt. I was shocked how quickly I recovered after I began this regiment and I'm 43. If you're in your 20's you should repair even faster. My issue stemmed from overuse which was increased weightlifting and guitar practice at the same time. I stopped the lifting until I had it under control and was able to continue to practice my guitar after about a week layoff. Now I am slowly increasing my workout routine and making sure I don't create the same issue.

Ok thanks alot. I did that thing today, except that I did it the opposite way, started and ended with cold, ah well, I'll do it your way from now on

Oh and I feel much better now when reading this, I also got this from weightlifting and guitarplaying, and I'm only 18 so I should be fine. I dont really care much about getting muscles anyway so I'll never lift any weights again

I also started with this muscle lotion thing my mom had. She have used it for her physical injuries that are alot worse than mine, its supposed to be very effective she says.

Thanks again.

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[Muris Varajic]

Hope to see you soon on track Robin,chin up.

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[Robin]

I had a similar problem with my left forearm. I was getting pain from the elbow to the wrist, basically tendonitis. I went to see a doctor and he said ice it and rest it. Well, I iced regularly rested it for a couple of weeks and the pain seemed to pretty much go away, but as soon as I started practicing it came right back. I did some research on the internet and found a site where the doctor specializes in similar issues and spoke about this being very common with guitar playing. Rest of course was suggested, but she also suggested filling two sinks one with hot water and one with cool water and submerse for 10 minutes in warm then 10 minutes in cool and go back and forth a few times finishing up with cool to hold down the inflamation. In addition, she suggested that before warming up to submerse in warm water only to get the blood flowing as early as possible through the muscles and then soak in cold water after practice to reduce the inflamation. I did that for one week and all my symptoms went away. Again, you should still continue to see a doctor but it is definitely worth a try.

DAMN, I've tried it for four days, and already the second day I noticed HUGE difference, the third and fourth day I couldnt really feel anything. I've been playing for about 15 minutes yesterday and today, with breaks beetween. The pain is all gone, I feel nothing except that I'm out of shape, so I'm still gonna continue to chill a little longer.


Thanks alot man!!! Everyone with the same problem, do this!! Its like a freakin miracle.

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

Sorry to hear it Robin. Take it easy. i have had my share of the problems with my left hand index finger, and couldnt playfor some time, but eventually i recovered and regained my strenght. Just take it easy, wait to fully recover and then play. There will be other opportunities for recording trust me. And always warm up..

PS Look on the bright side: your practising will get a little (desired) pause and all the techniques that you learned will now be set firlmy in your mind.

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This post has been edited by Milenkovic Ivan: Nov 21 2007, 03:13 PM

[Nics]

Sorry about this. I hope all going to be fine.
Personnaly, i used to feel pain on my ring finger after playing many bend. Now, i do bending with 3 fingers ^^

A can imagine how it's hard to see the guitar and cannot play :/
Because year ago, after a motorcycle accident (no to fast) i've a chronicles pain in the left wrist.
And of course, as always, i didn't see anyone for that :/ (not a good idea)
It happened that I cannot move any more the wrist during a week.
But now it's ok, sometimes i feel pain during few days but i can play.

So never ignore Medical problem.


(Please excuse my english, i'm french)

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