My right hand has been hurting a LOT recently after taking notes and playing piano. Should I be worried?

Question

The pain is kind of all over. It's in my thumb and part of my palm, in my fingers a little bit, in my wrist a lot, and even in my forearm. When I take notes in school, I have to drop my pencil every couple minutes and stretch out my wrist and hand because it hurts. And now I'm finding that when I try to support myself in pushup position, I get a weird pain right where my right hand meets my wrist.

I've never had this problem before; it's just been developing over the last few months. I write a lot during the day and also play piano, so I know I probably use that hand a lot, and maybe that's the problem and it's just tired. But I just want to know if I should be worried about it or talk to my doctor. Can you help me? Thank you so much in advance.

Answer 1

i am seriously willing to bet alot it is carpeltunnel, constant movement of the fingers, hands and arms and not giving yourself any kind of rest will lead to that if your not carefull and give yourself a break phisicly, see a doctor. if it is what i think it is, it will be worth it to get it treated before you loose loss of your arms and if possable try some alive or asprin, preferably alive.

Answer 2

I personally am going through the same situation, however mine is from work. Repetitive typing and using the mouse. My right hand is much worse and in the middle of the night will appear to fall asleep or become numb. I have researched on the net and talked with several other people with the same symptions, carpol tunnel syndrom. I have yet to go to the doctor for it, I am trying to get it better on my own by resting it more often throughout the day and wearing wrist braces at night. The braces help a lot and can be bought at your local drug store. I bought mine at Rite Aid, if there is one in your area they are about 10-15 each. This helps a lot, I even wear them to work on days when my wrist hurt more than usual. I have heard that if you let it go too long, it can cause permenate nerve damage. I know I have to go to the doctors soon..you probably should too. Just to be safe. If you start dropping things without realizing you are that is a definate sign it is getting much worse. I have had a massage therapist massage my forearm etc and it did offer some relief but who can afford to do this every week. Try the braces and see if that helps. It is helping me, the pain is not as bad, and the numbness is less frequent. Good luck!

Answer 3

Repetitive motion. Shake your hands over your head for circulation. If you continue abusing yourself with writing, you will step into a more intense and painful situation. Can't you use a recorder?
Try ice.Just a cup of ice, no coke, roll it over the area, every chance you get. This sounds like it could be the prelude to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Have a teacher analyze the way you are using your writing utensils. You might have some bad habits. Same with the posture at the Piano. Sounds like you have crossed the line. Go soft lead, try a soft grip, available at Stationary stores, an Ergonomic one, it slips onto your pencil and changes the grip. There are many items on the market for your particular situation. Gel Pads for computer etc. Check it out. You may end up in Physical Therapy, not a bad thing. They will train you in proper body mechanics, and show you strengthening exercises.

Answer 4

Normally, I would say it's just writers' cramps (having to stop every few minutes of writing is very normal, and stretching is the best thing to do for it!), but numbness and pain in the thumb, palm, and forearm could also suggest carpal tunnel. Piano players often have this problem - in fact, most dedicated musicians do. I know a girl who plays piccolo and flute, and developed tendonitis. I suggest you cut back on practice time until you see a doctor and clear up the diagnosis and get a suitable treatment plan.

Answer 5

Since you mentioned the twinge in your wrist, I'd say that you've got a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is more or less a pinched nerve in that spot where your wrist meets your hand.

Carpal tunnel often gets better on its own, but since you go to school and play an instrument, it's likely that you won't be able to rest it as much as it needs. Think about buying a splint to wear at home -- they keep the wrist straight, which is the position that puts the least amount of pressure on the nerve.

If the pain gets much worse, talk to your doctor. Like I said, carpal tunnel is generally no big deal, but I do know some older people who have had to have surgery for severe cases.

Answer 6

Sounds like you may have Carpal tunnel syndrome. There is a great website you can go to called WebMD and it will answer many of your questions. However, it order for this to be properly diagnosed you will need to go to your family physician and likely be referred to a neurologist where they can run all the necessary test to confirm this. The testing is painless but takes a while. Depending on what they find, they may put you in wrist braces for a while or surgical intervention may be your best bet. However, a good neurologist will help you with this. Carpal tunnel is caused by repetative motion which explains why you hurt after a long period of taking notes. You will also need to have a good set of x-rays taken to make sure you haven't fractured (broken) one of the small bones in your hand. These type fractures can be overlooked on x-rays so make sure that several views are taken so that they don't miss something.

Answer 7

My Daughter had the very same problem when she was playing alot of Piano and Guitar....She overdid it on her muscles in her hands, Your hand will get stronger if you keep using it, Once you get the muscles built up it should be fine, But than she stopped playing for awhile and her hand started hurting again, The muscles were having what the Dr called contractions, Comes from using the hand to much or not enough......
One thing you should be taking is Vitamin B Complex.....This really helps...Makes sure it's B-Complex.......Very cheap at Wal-Mart......Get some and try it, It might take a couple of weeks to take affect, But it does work, Just one a day.....Good Luck and I hope this helps

Answer 8

You may have strained the wrist and forearm. This practice you put your hands and arms thru will cause the pain easily. I suggest you try Alieve to reduce the pain and if it continues go find a good physical therapist and explain what you are going thru they will more than likely give you a good work up and start you on a regiment of counter exercises that will help. I hope.

Answer 9

Your discomfort is similar to those experienced by mouse and keyboard users. Basically your wrist was on the desk too long, it blocked the blood way to your hand. Do simple wrist exercises. Ask doctor or friend on hoe to do the exercises.
You should be worried because it can lead to many problems.

Answer 10

You've over-exerted your wrist and hand. You need to give it a rest. Try to relax it when you are not using your hand and also massage it a bit (not too hard though).

If you are concern about the persistent pain, then you should visit a physiotherapist. He'll be able to help you relief the pain and also teach you some ways to relax it.