I'm sorry if this is something you've already considered or isn't helpful in your situation but the book It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals was really helpful for hand pain for me.
Been there. Made some positive lifestyle changes and I'm more diligent about taking breaks. I rarely run into issues anymore. This book has a lot of helpful info:
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999
It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals https://www.amazon.com/dp/0965510999/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_40KCB2FF87WR82831EFZ
Check out this book. It’s full of really great advice.
This topic comes up a lot -- do a search. Three answers:
If you want to reduce the juries, get this book. It’s called, Rebuilding Milo. Dr Aaron Horschig. Or follow him on; Instagram; squat_university.
Best of luck.
I've heard this book is worth looking into: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423488466/ref=ox\_sc\_saved\_image\_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&asin=1423488466&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
I am so sorry you have chronic pain! I can so relate to every single thing you said! I have had IC for a very long time. Lately I have had repeated, real UTIs as well. I can barely tell the difference between an IC flare and a bonafide UTI.
I have tried lots and lots of remedies, everything known to try it seems. I cry a lot and often can’t sleep as well.
I know antibiotics will not be the solution (they seem to increase the probability of getting another UTI, and they destroy the gut flora). I have recently started exploring the world of herbs (because many organisms causing UTIs are resistant to antibiotics…this is a concerning crisis). I just got off a round of cipro. I’m so scared to take antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone family…but my strains as of late have been klebsiella pneumoniae and enterobacter cloacae complex.
I am reading this book (link below) and using herbs suggested in it. I eliminated two UTIs using herbs as described in the book. But I could not get rid of the next UTI with herbs and had to go on a round of abx (cipro). I will say I am making some headway with herbs compared to other things I’ve tried. I am determined to figure it out…but I’m not there yet. I hope you find the book interesting. It’s interesting even if you don’t want to go down the herb path. Warm wishes and best of luck to you.
I think the custodial job will involve more motions that utilize your whole body and fewer find movements. That seems like a good change.
I really feel you about the art. That was the scariest part of it all, when I could barely use my hands. I liked this book a lot. I'm bummed there's no ebook option, I would share with you if I could. Happy to share other resources tho related to tissue work and resolving pain, let me know if you're interested.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1628604220/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_3VGGSQ0VF1ANWHSWBYJQ
This book is a little dry but goes into a lot of detail explaining movement pattern dysfunctions in layman's terms, and is designed to help lifters assess their own functions using tests similar to the one you mentioned.
It also offers specific solutions for correcting them.
Requires consistency and self motivation, but from personal experience following the recommended exercises for strengthening can really make a difference with imbalances.
Good luck to you.
Start from the ground. When your feet are flat your knee and upper thigh should be at right angles when sitting You may also like a stool or box to put your feet on to vary position
Then your arms should *hang from your shoulders and gradually curve down to your desk. Your wrists should not be bent (either up/down or side to side).
The monitor should be slightly below your eyeline so you look down just a bit. There should be no window or light source behind you to cause a glare on the screen.
Look for a split keyboard (that slits in 2 parts. I found one on Amazon, the Kinesis free style.) *Important the keyboard should slant downward away from you, NOT toward you as many manufacturers made (and caused a lot of carpal tunnel).
Source: Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User's Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471595330/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_T8RMF0EFYY3MTWQ7DMYN
I would lose the belt. With almost all lifts you need a strong core and a belt gives you a false sense of that. I would concentrate on proper core engagement throughout all your lifts. I had low back injury that took me over a year to recover. It might have been the best thing that happened to me. I dropped the weight and went back to the basics and now I am lifting heavier than ever. I would recommend Rebuilding Milo
I don't know if a botanical antibiotic could work in place of Cipro, but, if you want to avoid Cipro (I concur with the other posts here), there are solutions here worth exploring further:
https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Antibiotics-2nd-Alternatives-Drug-resistant/dp/1603429875
Highly recommend this book for anyone wanting methods that actually work (It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals)[https://www.amazon.ca/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999]
I have not had an injury, but have had some pain in the past. I picked up this book many years ago and found it helpful and educational: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999
It discusses many perspectives, possible causes, and different ways of treating these types of issues.
It’s not carpal tunnel syndrome is a very popular book.
It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals https://www.amazon.com/dp/0965510999/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_R492Fb97C61MF
You might check it out, but also, she does remote appointments (I just made one today).
I highly doubt that the original poster I replied to had carpal tunnel, because like I said a billion times, it is very common for people to say "carpal tunnel" when they have one of many possible hand / forearm / arm issue. If this is "rude" of me to point this out then I guess I'll keep being rude. There is a hand therapist who literally wrote a fucking book on the subject titled "It's not carpal tunnel syndrome"
This book, Play Less Hurt is great, talks about practice routines, stretches, warmup/warmdown, strength vs flexibility, stress, diet, sleep, your whole lifestyel if you're going to play pro. Likely your local public library has it
https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Less-Hurt-Prevention-Musicians/dp/1423488466
I couldn't touch my toes when I started either. The secret to yoga is that you aren't stretching your muscles so much as relaxing them until they get longer. Basically, when your muscles are tight they are chronically clenching* in certain spots. If you get really mindful and relaxed you can notice where they are tight and just... stop clenching. Then they easily get longer and you can reach further without ever pulling or yanking on them.
Probably the best explanation for this and what made it click for me was not actually a yoga resource, but this book. This review refers to what I'm talking about, which I think is in the introduction:
> But the real gem is the part in the beginning of the book where the author talks about how to do the stretches correctly. She calls it, "finding the 'stretch point' ". Basically, the stretch point is all about doing the stretches with much less vigor than most people think of doing during a stretch. I think the stretch point is critical to getting the most relief, especially if you are suffering from pain at all.
*I don't know if they are literally clenching or if something else is going on physiologically, but that mental model works for me.
Vertical mouse's help for sure, vertical keyboards as well. It increases blood flow to your hands. I read about it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0965510999/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_FepLEb2RM3KHF
I got my fancy vertical stuff from here: https://www.thehumansolution.com/
But there's plenty of inexpensive ones at Amazon that'll do a pretty good job.
Getting into those trigger points help a lot as well. You probably have them up and down your forearms.
I'm really sorry you're going through that. I spent a few years with some pain myself that I thought was going to be permanent. Hope you get it figured out.
Three things that helped me were physical therapy, mindfulness (both as in meditation and as in mindful REALLY REALLY gentle stretching -- e.g. as in this book) and active-isolated stretching. That was a long time ago and now I'm all about SMR (foam roller, lacrosse ball, etc.) but I just use that for little aches and pains, nothing serious.
I'd really consider trying more therapy too.
I'd suggest two things:
Contrast Baths
Set up two long shallow tubs of water in your bathroom, long and wide enough to fit both arms up above the elbow comfortably. Fill one with cold water, the other with warm water. Extreme cold and extreme heat isn't any more useful - just make sure the cold one is cool, and the warm one is warm enough to stay nice and warm for more than the ten minutes you'll be using it.
Set a time for 1 minute and submerge both arms in the warm one, then a minute in the cold one. Do this for 11 minutes, so that you end with the warm one.
Do this 2-3 times a day, and ideally before you play/practice. If you empty out the cold one, and let the other sit until it is cold, then the water won't get stale and have things growing in it.
The other thing
Get this book and do the exercises in it, specific to the pain you are experiencing:
https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Carpal-Syndrome-Repetitive-Injuries/dp/1572240393
Good luck.
This book is a really comprehensive look at RSI issues:
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999
I thought I was going to need surgery too, but I just ended up making a few minor lifestyle adjustments and now I can play just fine.
She has a book as well which is probably your next best bet if you can’t shell out to see her. It has a lot of the exercises in there.
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999
"Fluid Balance, Hydration and Athletic Performance"
https://www.amazon.com/Fluid-Balance-Hydration-Athletic-Performance/dp/1482223287
Well, which wrist and how much pain? Tingling in fingertips? Have you recently increased practice hours hugely? Always use strap and guitar is in same position?
There are so many things that could go wrong, but always warm up, don't play in a cold room, keep the wrists straight to the extent you can etc. Take at least one easy day/week. Lighter gauge strings, lower action, tune down half step if you have to, etc etc.
Videos/pix of your playing position would help. this book also https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Less-Hurt-Prevention-Musicians/dp/1423488466
i think the DynaFlex spinning ball and the power web exercisers help some: http://www.pwrwebintl.com/
I was diagnosed with early Tendonitis last year. Went to the doctor, he just prescribed me some anti-inflammatory, and absolute no guitar playing. The no guitar playing for almost a month drove me nuts. I also used (on my own) this book which I believe helped - I still use many of the stretches in there daily.
Don't lose hope! There's a good chance you can get back into playing guitar without hurting yourself. These two books were a huge help for me:
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Professionals/dp/0965510999
https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Carpal-Syndrome-Repetitive-Injuries/dp/1572240393
I can now play guitar quite comfortably. Every now and then I overdo it, but I know how to bring my hands back to good health.
I used a strong tincture from UK supplier - worked as it should: have never heard or read about estrogenic concerns with the Crypto. Would recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Antibiotics-2nd-Alternatives-Drug-resistant/dp/1603429875/ if you haven't already got it.
If you're serious about stretching I recommend this book, especially if you're feeling RSI symptoms:
https://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Carpal-Syndrome-Repetitive-Injuries/dp/1572240393
The book covers stretches across your full body since tension in other areas can affect your hands and arms. This book has so many stretches to choose from that you can really tailor a warm-up to suit your needs. After you try a bunch, you'll be able to see which stretches are the most helpful. I've narrowed it down to about 10 stretches that I do each night before bed and when I'll be playing for extended hours. Only takes about 5 minutes and I really feel a difference compared to when I slack off and don't do the stretches.
You could post a pic/vid of you playing, sitting and standing. otherwise:
Mostly keep your wrists pretty straight, don't force big stretches between frets, good posture and breathing, don't hold tension in your shoulders, and don't take enormous doses of advil and tylenol. This is a pretty comprehensive book https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Less-Hurt-Prevention-Musicians/dp/1423488466
If you overdo anything, you'll probably feel discomfort/soreness then pain.