Hand/Wrist/Elbow Pain from playing too much guitar/typing too much?

Question

Hey, I've got a dreadnought acoustic guitar that I play about 3 hours a day and I'm on my laptop typing reports or surfing for about 3 additional hours a day. Lately my hands/wrists/arm have all been feeling rather sore almost like a pinched nerve. Obviously the cure would be taking breaks and not playing but can you explain what is happaning in my arms, longterm effects along with techniques or braces to help the problem?

Answer 1

I know what you're talking about, becuase I suffer from time to time from the same thing. Here are some things that have helped me out. Before engaging into anything that will be a strain on my joints, I stretch them slightly. But only stretch them if they are at regular body temp or higher. If you just came inside from the cold, it would be a good idea to let your body warm up. Next, especially for guitar, I would do fretboard exercises meant entirely to warm my hands and wrist up. After that, I am usually good to go for a few hours.
Another thing that I did was started taking a supplement called glucosamine with chondroitin. It is designed to work specifically on the ligaments in your body and repair the damaged tissue. Because it is a supplement, some people will deny that it works. It may not work for everybody, but it has worked wonders for me. I used to have the pain everyday, but now it rarely ever bothers me and I rarely take the supplement.
One other thing that you can try is exercising your hands with those hand grip things that you squeeze. Sometimes just building up the muscle around joints can take the pain away. And don't forget to get plenty of rest. The human body does most of it's repairing while you are sleeping. If you try to survive on less than 7-9 hours of sleep a night, then your body will never completely heal itself.
I also see that your elbows are giving you a problem. If this occurs while you are playing guitar, then I know a simple solution. Don't use your elbow to strum the guitar, but instead use your wrist. In fact, your elbow should be in a fixed position, rarely moving from it's place.
Hopefully some of this advice helps you avoid having to go to a doctor and succumbing to a lifetime of wearing a brace.

Answer 2

Usually when you do something new and you get pain it's because you have not been using that part of the body much before and your body is getting used to it. I highly recommend you take regular breaks before the pain becomes too unbearable. This is the same for someone who types a lot. They end up with carpal tunnel syndrome and it can be very painful if you don't takes breaks or do the appropriate wrist and arm excerices.
If taking regular breaks and excercises do not work then I really recommend you going to see a acupuncturist. I had really bad aches in my wrists that clicked, forearms that were tired and neck and shoulder pains from what I describe as trapped nerves. A visit to the acupuncturist solved all these problems! They stick electrode to the end of the needles that sent little electric shocks that made your muscles jump. Does not hurt at all. No more pain and only in one 1 hour session. It cost me $30. But was well worth it.
I know some are skeptical about acupuncture, so I am only speaking from my own personal experience. It was the best $30 I ever spent!

Answer 3

Elbow Pain From Typing

Answer 4

The possibility of carpel tunnel is there given the length of time you do these activities daily, if you are experiencing numbness or tingling in small finger or the two next to it or you are experiencing knife like pain in the palms of your hands, your hand(s) fall asleep or you are woken in the middle of the night with a pins and needles or numbness...the chances are good that you have the beginnings of carpel tunnel where the passage way at the wrists become thicker pushing against the nerves and eventually in severe cases, these areas have to be opened and the pressure relieved.. Nerve conduction tests can be performed to confirm this...a specialist is required to perform these tests and although they aren't a big issue, the electric "shock" which is simply a low voltage response mechanism...makes your nerves in the forearm and hands jump a little during the investigation...no biggy, I've had this twice now and live to tell about it :)

You can place wrist braces on but unless you are breaking from these activities, they won't do a great deal of good. Try taking breaks before the pain or discomfort hits, i.e. every 45 mins-hr if you can go that long, if not, go for shorter durations of hand useage til this settles.

If you continue to have problems speak with your doctor...he'll know whether he should send you to someone for this or not.

Good luck

Answer 5

Wrist Brace For Typing

Answer 6

Sounds like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from the repetitive motions. You should go to a doctor & have it checked & it may require surgery to repair, but also, rest & go to a local medical supply store & request a C.O.C.K.-UP (I had to write it like that because Yahoo Answers blanked it out otherwise) WRIST brace. It has a metal spatula type support in the palm to prevent the wrist from bending forward. It will allow the muscles & tendons to rest in a neutral position. Especially wear it at night when you go to bed. I have nerve damage in my left wrist & I am left handed, so I have a lot of trouble with it from typing & working horses or just plain using it too much. I have used the wrist brace for several years & I have noticed that it does help.
Also, before bed take two anti-inflammitories, like Tylenol or Aleve, if you are able to take them & are on no other meds that will react to them.

Answer 7

tendonitis or tennis elbow Give it a rest for while, continuing will only make it worse. If after resting it for 2 weeks and it's not better go to your Dr. It all amounts to your body not being designed to sit in the same postion for hours on end,using the same set of muscles,nerves,ligaments, and tendons. It is causing inflammation. There are wrist braces and and elbow supports but they only bandage the original problem. You eventually will require surgury to open up the area around each inflamed joint and will develop osteoarthritis from overusage

Answer 8

The neuropathy illness may cause the outward symptoms such as for example: tingling, prickling feeling, numbness of the location around the affected nerves, unexpected problems, sharp or even using sensation in the nerves.
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The biggest thing is that applying these organic items you will remove that molesting pain.

Answer 9

Carpal tunnel is something usually directly related to guitar/keyboarding/ tedious handwork. you should take cetylmyristoleate (CMO), get a parasite cleanse, take crocodile protein peptide, or arnica. Use either of those for a week and you're pain should go away. If you talk to a doctor, he'll try to give you some stupid pill that will increase your pain that make you come back for more medicine so that your doctor makes money off of you.

Answer 10

I have had to have 3 operations on my wrists due to the same thing,it's caused through constant use of the hand or wrist joints,it's called Tenosinivitus! or repetitive strain injury is what they tend to call it these days.The tendons in your wrists get tighter & tighter until eventually you can barely move your wrists.I have very little movment or grip in mine now,i'd go & see your doctor.