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Author Topic: Tennis Elbow  (Read 4276 times)

richard

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Tennis Elbow
« on: October 19, 2013, 04:23:32 PM »
I'm right handed and have been diagnosed with Tennis Elbow in my left (fretting) arm. I've been prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. If they don't work my GP is talking about physio and steroid injections. I've been advised to lay off playing which I intend to do for a couple of weeks after tonight's gig. After I took the first pill earlier this week I got almost immediate relief but any playing brings the pain back with a vengeance.

Any other sufferers ? Anyone got any advice for me ?

Thanks in advance folks.
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littleredguitars2

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Re: Tennis Elbow
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2013, 05:30:11 PM »
that sucks man. i myself am pretty sure i'm either developing or already have carpal tunnel. some days i'm fine but other days my wrists hurt so much that playing just isnt an option.
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Philly Q

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Re: Tennis Elbow
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2013, 01:41:17 AM »
I don't play guitar anywhere near enough to develop such problems, but it sounds painful.  Hope it clears up.

I may be thinking of other conditions, but I think I've read about guitarists being advised to modify their technique e.g. position of thumb on the neck, or the height you wear your guitar on a strap.  But the main advice seems to be taking a break from playing.
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JimmyMoorby

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Re: Tennis Elbow
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2013, 01:54:53 AM »
I'm right handed and have been diagnosed with Tennis Elbow in my left (fretting) arm. I've been prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. If they don't work my GP is talking about physio and steroid injections. I've been advised to lay off playing which I intend to do for a couple of weeks after tonight's gig. After I took the first pill earlier this week I got almost immediate relief but any playing brings the pain back with a vengeance.

Any other sufferers ? Anyone got any advice for me ?

Thanks in advance folks.

I've not had tennis elbow but ive had various injuries from rugby, power lifting and even guitar hasn't helped either at times.

Is it just from playing guitar or some thing else? When did you first notice the pain?

If youre in the early stages the best thing is rest and relax for 1-4 weeks and get some sort of treatment if you can i.e physio or steroid injections if necessary.  The first week or month is crucial as if injuries go past this length of time they can become chronic and never heal properly. Deal with it now not for the rest of your life.

I'm sure you'll be fine but if not come back to us I have lots of experience of dealing with injuries...im not a doctor though but physio's are useless in my experience.

Also if you play guitar 'a lot' cramps etc are normal and there are ways to overcome them or stop getting them although its more common with the picking hand I have to say.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2013, 01:59:08 AM by JimmyMoorby »

Dave Sloven

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Re: Tennis Elbow
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2013, 03:06:26 AM »
I had pains in my wrists when I first started learning guitar.  After about three months I started to develop it.  I then packed the guitar away under the bed for a few years.  The problems in my arms went away after a while.  Eventually when I went back to it I didn't get the problem again.

There seem to have been a couple of issues causing the problem, but I kept thinking it was carpal tunnel.  I was tested twice for carpal tunnel but the tests showed that I didn't have it.  Seems that nerves were pinching in my neck.  Part of the problem might have been the weight of the guitar.  It was around that time that I started looking at SGs for a lighter, more ergonomically forgiving guitar.  I also adjusted my left hand action. I had been slavishly following what some books say about putting my thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, but this tended to result in the angle at the wrist being very severe.  I also started playing with my guitar strapped higher, which changed the angles.  I also improved the sitting position at my computer by raising my laptop on a stand to desktop viewing height.  This helped my neck a lot

The other issue was just playing the same stuff over and over again with no warm ups and that cramped wrist position. I played Sweet Leaf a lot, LOL.  Playing Sweet Leaf over and over again in that bad position caused tendonitis in my wrists, so that it became hard to determine what might have been nerves and what was muscles or tendons.  Seems I had both.  It was the muscle and tendon stuff that went away with improved wrist and arm angles.  This was pronounced in my left hand but I had some in my picking hand too due to poor picking technique. 

The nerves run through your spine so check your posture, that could be part of it.  If it's your tendons though the best thing - though it is hard - is to rest.  Don't end up like that guy from Immortal
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