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TAC Setback!
As I enter year 2 of my TAC experience I’ve had a setback. A couple of weeks ago I spent a few hours playing one day, normally I play 30-45 minutes at a time so a bit more than the norm. Also, with Spring in full swing I’ve been in the garden pulling weeds, planting new shrubs, flowers, setting up the veggie garden, etc.
Out of the blue I developed some serious pain in my left wrist (fretting hand), pinky side of the wrist. I continued playing and working in the garden and the wrist did not improve, although I tried to be mindful and not push it. Playing scales, improve anything that involved the pinky was especially painful.
I went to the doctor today and he probed around and diagnosed tendonitis. The setback was no wrist bending for 4-6 weeks, no guitar!! I also don’t take ibuprofin for other reasons.
So curious if anyone else has had this issue and can share any thoughts. I realize I should follow doctors orders. Maybe take up lap steel guitar for the duration?
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17 Replies
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Sorry to hear of the set back with the tendinitis @Ted_D . It actually is a common ailment of repetitive use, but one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You want to avoid it becoming a bigger problem. Think of it as a temporary pause. There are over the counter topical creams that you can use for pain and inflammation. There is also physical therapy. Other things to keep you busy are logging into the site daily and watching the lesson videos, even though you can’t participate. You can become more active in the forums during the downtime.
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Thanks for the feedback @Loraine. A friend of mine recommended Arnica gel cream so I’m trying that now and it seems to offer some relief. I just watched today’s Key Chord lesson and it was all I could do to refrain from picking up my guitar!
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I was introduced to Arnica last year, and I think it is a great tool. In addition to reset, I think the ice/heat are a great recommendation also.
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@Ted_D wow tough break with the tendonitis!! I suffered thru a bad bout of left thumb/wrist tendonitis in 2018, and boy it is frustrating. It’s usually from repetitive motion injury like playing the same (difficult) song over and over, or perhaps maybe from gardening?? The only thing that helps is resting from whatever caused/aggravates it, gentle stretching, and ice/heat packs. It’s so tempting to pick up your guitar and try to grit thru it but that just slows down the healing process. Use the down time to learn some music theory, or maybe throw your guitar into an open tuning and work on your right hand picking skills… patience and time will get you back on track!!!
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Thank you @Carol-3M-Stillhand , great recommendations that I will pursue! Playing in open tuning and practicing fingerpicking is a great way to satisfy the tempation to play! I’ve taken FW 3X and am planning a 4th, which I will start now!
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Get a budget ukulele and learn that for the next few weeks. It’s a lot easier on the hands.
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Great idea @JohnV I’ll look into that!
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Sorry to hear about your wrist problem @Ted_D You may want to try one of two thing I do when my wrist is “out of wack”. 1st, try a Wrist Grips for drummers or guitar players. Tony covered them on one of his “Acoustic Tue. Show”. I use them and the really help. The 2nd is to try “Australian Dream” for Back Pain. It is stronger than the Australian Dream for Arthritis Pain. I use it on my hand and it does help. Hope you mend soon! 🧐🧙♂️😎
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Thanks @Marty69! I’ll check out the wrist grips and look into the Australian Dream, which I’ve not heard of. I appreciate the information! Pain is better, but need to proceed with caution and make sure I don’t relaps.
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👍🧙♂️😎
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@Marty69 I bought the Wrist Grips and am amazed how they help. They seem to provide stability in the wrist. I’m going to work my way back slowly, playing open keys for a few weeks.
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That’s great @Ted_D Glad they worked out for you. I use mine all the time. 😊🧙♂️😎
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I’ll plan to wear it when playing from here on out @Marty69 . Perhaps it will improve my playing by adding some wrist stability😀
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Tune to an open key and get a slide. You can still work on your picking hand..
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Thanks @TX_DonH great advise! I’ve playing in open G at the moment practicing picking, and will add slide.
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A wrist brace to wear while you are sleeping. This will keep your wrist in a neutral position and will speed up the healing process. Arnica gel will help.
Also some gentle stretching.
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Thanks @Stan S. I have been wearing the wrist brace when sleeping, as I was occaisionally waking up with some pain when moving in my sleep. Great advise!
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