Trying to get better

[Unhorizon]

Well a few days ago I really pushed it a little too far with my legato workout, and the next day my left hand was in pain. Not constant pain, but enough to make me nervous about playing. I could've played, but I was really afraid of getting permanently hurt. Well, I haven't practiced for 2 days straight and its really killing me. I'm afraid the next time I try to practice for a few hours I am gonna suck, and my left hand is still in a little pain whenever I apply pressure. I'm almost positive its nothing serious but I'm sick of not being able to pick up my guitar. How can I get my left hand better again?

[UltimaRage]

Try stretching and massaging it. You might even try putting a warm wash cloth on it.

[Unhorizon]

Does that work,?

[Alan(Lost)]

When you don't stretch out any extensively used muscles, that's when the pains come, and when permanant damage can is done.

When you start playing for a day, play for ten minutes, warming up. Then stretch out both arms all ways. Then return to playing, stretching out every 20-30 minutes or so.

[RandyEllefson]

Hey, I've had tendinitis in each arm since 1996, and you seriously want to avoid this at all costs. I cost me my playing for an entire year, and another 4 years before I got back to my level. It also ruined my life. You DO NOT WANT TO SCREW AROUND WITH THIS.

Don't mean to scare you, but a couple days of not playing is nothing to worry about. If your arm hurts, DO NOT PLAY.

I'm not a doctor, but here's what I recommend:

Press firmly all around your elbow with your fingers, holding it for several seconds. You're looking to see if anything is tender. If so, you may want to see a doctor or physical therapist (I recommend PT, as they often know more than doctors - some doctors have very negative opinions of PT). Doctors will often do a cortizone shot, which I have personally found to be ineffective (haven't do it since the first month).

Place a heating pad on your forearm, being sure not to cover the elbow itself. Tendinitis is really two things: muscle tightness (in the forearm) and tendon inflammation (elbow). Heat relaxes the muscles, ice makes inflammation go down. So, heat on forearm. Ice works best either around the elbow or on back of the arm (tendon runs through there).

Be aware that those arm muscles, if "wounded", are used in every life activity, so typing may also make them hurt.

If you want to read on my personal experience on this, go to http://www.randyellefson.com/Tendinitis.htm

[debaser]

I can't add much to the good advice that is already on this page, except to say that forearm pain sucks the most. If this is the first time you have run into this kind of pain, you are probably fine. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful - you should. I would try playing a little - very lightly- and see how it feels. Definitely no legato workouts for a while, but light picking exercises should be fine. Once things are back to normal, make sure that you are careful about how long you do legato practice for. Also, watch your technique- if you have reasonable action, it shouldn't be necessary to commit that much force to the motion.

I have found that Icy Hot and Tiger Balm are both good products to have around for situations like this.

[RandyEllefson]

If this is the first time you have run into this kind of pain, you are probably fine.
This may or may not be true, though it often is. I never felt a thing until the first time, which never went away for 5 months! Tendinitis CAN be (but isn't always) a silent injury. By the time pain comes, it can certainly be too late in the sense that you've already got it, but you never know.

I remember being quite upset that my body did not warn me in time to avoid a serious case. Hope for the best but guard against the worst. :)

Either way, good luck!

[Vance]

What I have been doing for years is keeping one of them old "grip" style things they use to work the forearm. I keep one in my truck and one at home. While I'm driving I just keep my fret hand busy with a slow steady grip exercise. Same at home.

Also, when I'm at work, or without those grip things, I just always flex the forearm muscles. You know, open and close hands until it starts to burn...then take a break. After a while the strength builds up.

Remember, too much of the above mentioned can also be bad for the muscles as well...so don't overdo it.


http://www.thecalm.ca

[oRg]

Playing guitar is fun and all but I wouldn't hurt myself over it. Especially if it meant not being able to play anymore (unless I went left-handed). Usually its pinched nerves or something of the alike. If it persists I would goto a doctor. Don't push yourself that far either becuz it really won't help your playing in the long run. It's bad enough that you can get arthritis, carpul tunnel, and tendinitis from playing guitar. Permanent damge of the nerves isn't something you want to deal with. I would just tone it down. Take breaks and do the John Petrucci stretching. I have one of his instructional videos and he goes over the stretching and everything n the begining. Stretching really helps out your guitar playing. It helps make your fingers a little more flexible and and nible as well as you won't get cramps.

[DanF]

Regardless of where the pain is any muscle/tendon injury should be iced (avoid heat) for 48 hours. Cycle your ice 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off. Stretching is always a good idea, anti-inflammatory meds such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil etc.) will help you also. The most important though is to just rest it.

I'm not a doctor either but I am an EMT-II ;)