is it possible to carpel tunnel playing guitar?

[ibanezrg520kid]

for about a year now i've been getting wrist pains after playing guitar and i'll just be sitting in school and my wristswill start hurting alot. I'm pretty sure my wrists hurt from playing guitar for a long time and i was wondering if anyone has had this problem and if anyone knows any way to help them? Thanks!

[VanWyck]

Carpal tunnel is one of the syndromes caused by repetative microtrauma to the joints. Go see your doctor. He/she may reccomend joint rest, anti inflammatory medicine (like advil), and/or some kind of wrist brace to be worn at night or when not playing guitar

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by ibanezrg520kid

for about a year now i've been getting wrist pains after playing guitar and i'll just be sitting in school and my wristswill start hurting alot. I'm pretty sure my wrists hurt from playing guitar for a long time and i was wondering if anyone has had this problem and if anyone knows any way to help them? Thanks!

I think you should get a good rest and spend some time away from your playing..... If you feel guilty that way do some music theory, aural etc etc And while you're resting take a lot of vege, bananas and drink loads of water

[m0p]

Sounds like developing carpal tunnel to me. Do you get numbness in your pinky and ring fingers too? Just stop playing guitar/using computer/anything which involves reptitive finger movement for a while and it will clear up by itself, if not, goto a doctor.

[littlegreenman]

find a girlfriend, a little less "alone time" will help alleviate that

LOL, sorry, couldn't resist :P

[microdmitry]

Lemme guess. Your _right_ wrist is hurting, and you're a moderately heavy computer user as well. If so, go to *bay and buy yourself Logitech TrackMan Marble FX trackball. You will hate its guts for the first two weeks, but your wrist pain will be gone in a month. Don't buy any other trackball - they all suck compared to Marble FX. "Natural" keyboard won't hurt either.

I had pretty horrible wrist pains (couldn't sleep at night) until I've switched to trackball.

[microdmitry]

Originally Posted by VanWyck

Carpal tunnel is one of the syndromes caused by repetative microtrauma to the joints.

Not to the joints, but to ligaments.

[ibanezrg520kid]

Hey thanks alot guys! yeah i'm just going to try not to play much for awhile besides in guitar class. If that doesn't work then i'll have to try the doc cause i can't drink less water cause i ride bicycles aton and i will get dehydrated easily if i don't. Thanks again!

[LonePhantom]

Go get it checked out, I've got it this year in my right wrist (not guitar related but work related - computer stuff). It can also be tendon/muscle strain that you might have. Go see a doctor, and perhaps get a nerve conductor test to see if you actually have it. Then work out a plan to help resolve problem/change the way you do things so that you don't make it worse.

[ibanezrg520kid]

yeah my mom wants me to get it looked at so i prolly will. thanks!

[pinto79]

FInd a good Chiropracter. They are specially trained in small joints and ligamints and muscle fitness etc. Mine has been working on my CT syndrome for years and can play as much as I want without pain, tingling or anything else...

[JESTER700]

Originally Posted by pinto79

FInd a good Chiropracter. They are specially trained in small joints and ligamints and muscle fitness etc. Mine has been working on my CT syndrome for years and can play as much as I want without pain, tingling or anything else...

I would amend that to "CONSIDER a chiropractor WHO IS specially trained..."
Not all are. Like any medical personnel, some are quacks, some mean well but just suck, and some do a good job - provided that what they do is what you need.

But definitely see an orthopedist as well.

[pinto79]

^^^ That's why I said GOOD... I kinda lucked out, and mine spent extra time studying my condition in order to help me.

[AirGuitarHero]

A simple wristband while playing will help too (y'know, the ones tennis players wear). I used to get slight pains in my fretting hand after playing for a long time (even with warm up and all), and the wristband took the pain away.

Plus, it gives you a cool Hetfield/Mustaine look