http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/ a guitarist's daily journal Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:42:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-800 Mark Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:30:20 +0000 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-800 I've been struggling with tendonitis in my left hand (fretting hand) for years, with a little arthritis also. The arthritis showed up on an X-ray at the hand doctor's office when I went in for the tendonitis. My doc's advice is to 'manage' the problem. All the advice I've read so far one this site is good. But I've also decided to expand my musical abilities beyond guitar to relieve the playing time on my left hand. I've discovered that a few of the brass instruments like trumpet and trombone don't require as much from the left hand. Blues harp (harmonica) is also a good choice, as well as one handed keyboard. It's actually made me a better all around musician, and opened up more playing (and earning $) opportunities. It's also helped me become a better composer and arranger. I think it's really true that when God closes one door, a window opens up. And by the way, I still play guitar and banjo - but I'm really careful to pace myself and stop when it hurts. I've been struggling with tendonitis in my left hand (fretting hand) for years, with a little arthritis also. The arthritis showed up on an X-ray at the hand doctor's office when I went in for the tendonitis. My doc's advice is to 'manage' the problem. All the advice I've read so far one this site is good. But I've also decided to expand my musical abilities beyond guitar to relieve the playing time on my left hand. I've discovered that a few of the brass instruments like trumpet and trombone don't require as much from the left hand. Blues harp (harmonica) is also a good choice, as well as one handed keyboard. It's actually made me a better all around musician, and opened up more playing (and earning $) opportunities. It's also helped me become a better composer and arranger. I think it's really true that when God closes one door, a window opens up. And by the way, I still play guitar and banjo - but I'm really careful to pace myself and stop when it hurts.

]]> http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-263 Joe Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:39:37 +0000 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-263 Actually, it breaks my heart whenever I have to stop playing, so that is a concern. :( Actually, it breaks my heart whenever I have to stop playing, so that is a concern. :(

]]> http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-262 Dave Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:34:18 +0000 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-262 Another thing to do that really helps the hand muscles is to engage in a "cool down" routine, i.e., take your last few minutes to gradually decrease the tempo of whatever you are playing. This technique is used by runners to avoid muscular cramps (and damage to the heart muscle, though that shouldn't be a concern for our situation:) ). Another thing to do that really helps the hand muscles is to engage in a "cool down" routine, i.e., take your last few minutes to gradually decrease the tempo of whatever you are playing. This technique is used by runners to avoid muscular cramps (and damage to the heart muscle, though that shouldn't be a concern for our situation:) ).

]]> http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-97 Mark Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:42:10 +0000 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-97 I have had some pretty bad hand problems in the past. I make a point of stretching my hands before and after I play. I also have a paraffin wax bath like they have in nail salons, and I soak my hands in the hot melted wax...this loosens the muscle and helps blood circulation throughout the hand. Those two things have been the best treatments for my problems...I used to take a huge amount of anti-inflammatories, but I've tried to cut that back.... I have had some pretty bad hand problems in the past. I make a point of stretching my hands before and after I play. I also have a paraffin wax bath like they have in nail salons, and I soak my hands in the hot melted wax...this loosens the muscle and helps blood circulation throughout the hand. Those two things have been the best treatments for my problems...I used to take a huge amount of anti-inflammatories, but I've tried to cut that back....

]]> http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-86 Josh Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:02:51 +0000 http://fromthewoodshed.com/blog/2007/12/13/dodging-tendinitis/#comment-86 I've been struggling with some hand pain this week, so unfortunately I know what it feels like. However, I've been doing things similar to what you've mentioned, and I can affirm that your advice works well. I've been struggling with some hand pain this week, so unfortunately I know what it feels like. However, I've been doing things similar to what you've mentioned, and I can affirm that your advice works well.

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