Hi Lance

Sorry to hear about the discomfort, guitar is hard enough without any other factors making it worse. You didn't say how long you have been having symptoms?

Like you have said, checking what activities could be the cause is a good start. Unfortunately we spend more and more time in front of the computer and most of the time it is in incorrect positions. Repetitive pulling, lifting etc. can also contribute. Even a blow to the elbow can injure the nerve and cause radiculopathy (pins and needles etc.). Check for any abnormal positions or positions where you get pressure on the elbow region. Also, good advice for anyone staying in one position most of the day, is to take regular breaks (every 30 -45 mins and just get out of that position).

Non-surgical treatment could be stretching forearm muscles or even improving the mobility/gliding of the ulnar nerve, but it would all depend on why you are getting pressure on the ulnar nerve.

Keep us posted, I hope you get this resolved quickly ?

I know of an excellent physio in Jo'burg (her rooms are on the Blairgowrie/Craighall border) who specialises in arms and hands. I don't feel able to post her details on a public forum without her permission, but anybody interested can PM me and I will let you have her phone number.

Sorry to hear it Tokai. I do a lot of guitar, a lot of computer (and a lot of xbox, to top it off) so this really scares me. Been lucky so far.

At work we have software that enforces a 5 second break every 5 minutes. The theory goes that regular 'micro' breaks are key to preventing RSI (repetitive stress injury.)

Having your screen lock up every five minutes can drive you crazy, but I've felt the benefits. Now I try to do that when working at home too, not always easy though.

X-rated Bob wrote: The mouse is a bad one. The physio tells me that what used to be called "tennis elbow" is now called "mouse elbow".

The thread I refer to above is about working in IT and playing guitar. But there's a lot of guitarists who don't work in IT but still spend a lot of time on a computer. So take a look. My wife works with computers all day but doesn't play guitar and she was also having pain in her hands. I bought her a Natural keyboard - much better.

Mouse elbow - that's interesting info - thanks Bob! +1 for the natural keyboard, got a wireless setup so if I have work extended sessions I can move the working position around without hassling with the wires.

I recently noticed (perhaps thanks to a particularly chilly Slaapstad winter), pain in wrist and elbow - freaked me out a bit, so immediately chatted to guitar teacher and accupunturist. Seems like posture/technique was the cause, did some preventative treatment for the symptoms and a lot better now.

Still need to warm up a little before playing extended sessions though - something I have had to come to terms with as the grey hairs multiply :-[

A couple of years ago I had problems in my lh (carpal) and left shoulder (light 6 string, standing playing... something about my posture led to it). Went to physio, tried all sorts of stuff. Serious pain for months. Went to a respected acupuncturist and after 3 sessions all pain gone, never had a problem again.

Reinhard wrote: Hi Lance

Sorry to hear about the discomfort, guitar is hard enough without any other factors making it worse. You didn't say how long you have been having symptoms?

Like you have said, checking what activities could be the cause is a good start. Unfortunately we spend more and more time in front of the computer and most of the time it is in incorrect positions. Repetitive pulling, lifting etc. can also contribute. Even a blow to the elbow can injure the nerve and cause radiculopathy (pins and needles etc.). Check for any abnormal positions or positions where you get pressure on the elbow region. Also, good advice for anyone staying in one position most of the day, is to take regular breaks (every 30 -45 mins and just get out of that position).

Non-surgical treatment could be stretching forearm muscles or even improving the mobility/gliding of the ulnar nerve, but it would all depend on why you are getting pressure on the ulnar nerve.

Keep us posted, I hope you get this resolved quickly ?

Hi Reinhard

Thanks for some great advice.

I noticed symptoms about a week ago.
Bending a string suddenly felt difficult, no strength, and then I noticed the numbness on the palm and baby/middle fingers.
To be honest I didn't sleep well that night, I thought I was heading for a heart attack...you know that story, left arm numb could mean, etc, etc. ?

After speaking to Peter about being aware of leaning your elbow, etc, I realised whenever I sit at the PC and I'm just reading off the screen, I rest my left elbow on the desk...now that I'm aware of that I'm avoiding doing it.
Also, I'm always carrying boxes or guitars in cases, etc, often I'm bumping my elbow against walls...so I'm watching that as well.

I'm taking Coxflam tablets, one a day for the last 3 days.
I think I'm noticing a slight improvement...only slight, my ring and baby fingers are still weak, but a slight reduction in numbness.

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks again.

you can pay a lot for treatment but you can also do some exercises. I've got it but get really good relief from doing some exercises with a thera-band flexbar. just twisting and so forth. another thing you should try is to stand facing a wall. reach out and touch the wall with your fingersthen like move forward until your hand is flat against the wall with your palm facing the wall and your fingers pointing up. you feel the stretch along the bottom of your elbow and along the bottom of your forearm. Physios all over have special treatments for it. My thinking? You pretty much know what causes it because you feel the symptoms after certain activities (or lack of) so counter with other activities. dont do press-ups on your fists anymore - put your hands flat on the floor.

I get it in both arms and I dont know but the above things sort me out. I tried the natural keyboard thing but I go to 1, 2 sometimes 3 client sites a day and the keyboard is in a cupboard somewhere or maybe on someone else desk at the moment. do counter stretches all the time. become consious of what postures and activities cause it. dont stop doing them - just include the counter things. I think your body is made to do all sorts of things but you got to have balance.

stick out your arm in front of you. then lift your hand with your fingers pointing to the sky and with other arm stretch the fingers toward you like backwards. you feel it pulling and it feels good.

Tokai SA wrote:

Reinhard wrote: Hi Lance

Sorry to hear about the discomfort, guitar is hard enough without any other factors making it worse. You didn't say how long you have been having symptoms?

Like you have said, checking what activities could be the cause is a good start. Unfortunately we spend more and more time in front of the computer and most of the time it is in incorrect positions. Repetitive pulling, lifting etc. can also contribute. Even a blow to the elbow can injure the nerve and cause radiculopathy (pins and needles etc.). Check for any abnormal positions or positions where you get pressure on the elbow region. Also, good advice for anyone staying in one position most of the day, is to take regular breaks (every 30 -45 mins and just get out of that position).

Non-surgical treatment could be stretching forearm muscles or even improving the mobility/gliding of the ulnar nerve, but it would all depend on why you are getting pressure on the ulnar nerve.

Keep us posted, I hope you get this resolved quickly ?

Hi Reinhard

Thanks for some great advice.

I noticed symptoms about a week ago.
Bending a string suddenly felt difficult, no strength, and then I noticed the numbness on the palm and baby/middle fingers.
To be honest I didn't sleep well that night, I thought I was heading for a heart attack...you know that story, left arm numb could mean, etc, etc. ?

After speaking to Peter about being aware of leaning your elbow, etc, I realised whenever I sit at the PC and I'm just reading off the screen, I rest my left elbow on the desk...now that I'm aware of that I'm avoiding doing it.
Also, I'm always carrying boxes or guitars in cases, etc, often I'm bumping my elbow against walls...so I'm watching that as well.

I'm taking Coxflam tablets, one a day for the last 3 days.
I think I'm noticing a slight improvement...only slight, my ring and baby fingers are still weak, but a slight reduction in numbness.

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks again.

That's a definate factor. The handles cut into your finger joints and put a lotta pressure on the nerves. I once carried an AC30 up and down between Tottenham Court and Euston stations and for weeks after that I had this numbness in both hands.

Hey,

Did you ever get the cubital tunnel syndrome sorted out?

I have it, and only a year since I started playing guitar. It's frustrating, becausr I like playing. And if I practice just a bit too long, my arm is screwed up for two to three weeks again.

Will it be better to practice on an electric guitar? Will power chords worsen it or is it easier on the arm than the normal chords?

eat lots of bananas!

It worked for Yngwie malmsteen and Richie blackmore!

They had carpal tunnel syndrome.

Potassium is what helps cure carpal tunnel and bananas has loads of it!

I suffer quite severely recently from RSI - Wrist pain, Tendonitis and Tennis(mouse) Elbow.
All related 100% to computer use.

its quite shitty but I'm dealing with it.

Stretches, Strengthening and Rest are the proposed solutions. I'm also trying some supplements like MSM and Boswellia herbal extracts. Ginger and Tumeric are great for inflammation and pain as well, as is Fish Oil (omega 3)

ill let u know what works out best for me :-\

Eat lots of bananas and stop with what you are doing to make it worse!
Leaning with your elbow on a table? stop it, stop all those things till you can feel you are starting to heal. And it takes long.

I went through that and withing a few months im all good again.

The problem with most repetitive strain injuries is that they come from occupation/work

Its generally not an option to stop what your doing!"
so thats what makes them more long term conditions.

I think the key is managing it and accepting it and each day strengthening the muscles/tendons!


BTW... Why would lousy eat lots of bananas? whats the research behind that? i ahevnt seen much info pointing towards bananas being good for inflammatory conditions..

The problem was caused by long hours of typing at work apoarently. Playing guitar after work escalated it.

It has started improving by:
Stretching my arms and wrists before work.
Straightening my arms more regularly during work.
Applying heat to my arm, wrist and hand before playing guitar.
Playing for 30 minutes max.
Applying cold to my arm, wrist and hand after playing, with an ice pack and/or Deep Freeze Arnica Gel.
Taking Vitamin B supplements for nerve repair.
Taking Joint 360 supplements.
Cutting out caffeine - it affects your nervous system.
Strengthening the muscles with a stress ball.
Good posture while at work and when playing guitar.
Not browsing on a tab or cellphone at home - your arms bend too much at the elbows.

So after struggling with this for a long time, I had an orthopedic surgeon check it out. It seems like the space in the cubital tunnel is not enough for the nerve to glide through freely. He is going to operate to open the tunnel up and create space for the nerve. We'll see what the outcome is.

I had what appears to be, from reading the tread, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Severe pain near my elbow and numbness in my left hand. I suspect it was caused from poor guitar setup and practicing too much after years of inactivity on the guitar. I was from the "practice until your fingers bleed" school so I ignored all warning signs until I couldn't play anymore.

In my case it took two trips to a specialist who gave me Cortisone injections, physiotherapy, hand exercises and a YEAR AND A HALF REST (yeah it sucked!) before I could play again. I take it easy nowadays. I do a lot of mental exercises and ear training away from the guitar so I can reduce the actual guitar playing. Oh yes and I sold all my equipment in the year and a half as I thought I'd never be able to play again...

There is hope, but you need to see a specialist and combine it with rest I suppose. I was lucky I guess...

Hasie wrote: So after struggling with this for a long time, I had an orthopedic surgeon check it out. It seems like the space in the cubital tunnel is not enough for the nerve to glide through freely. He is going to operate to open the tunnel up and create space for the nerve. We'll see what the outcome is.

Heish...does not sound like fun at all - hope it isn't as serious as it sounds?

Good luck Hasie, hope to hear you playing again soon!

This was caused mostly by typing the whole day and not guitar playing.
The doctor said I'll be able to play a week after the operation.

In the late 1990's I developed De Quervain's along the top of the thumb. Was direct result of guitar hanging too low and practicing too much. After all the usual Cortisone and Physio stuff I eventually had the Op. That solved the problem but also damaged the nerve along the top of the thumb such that I don't have any feeling along the surface of the skin on top of the thumb.

6 months of complete rest was also prescribed. This unfortunately is unavoidable. It does take a long time to heal. The more serious you take it here the better the long term result.

Since then, years of PC activity, bad collagen from my parents and old age have resulted in lots of tendinitis type issues in wrists joints etc. However I have managed to keep playing by managing the way I hold the guitar, and the moment I feel that sharp tinge of pain I stop, evaluate what is causing it, maybe the angle of the wrist etc and then changing it. Sometimes it is a difficult barre chord, which I substitute to an easier option. I also did lighter strings and set the guitar correctly. I can easily play a few hours a day this way, obviously taking breaks in between.