Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Have you been to the doctor? Tendonitis is usually an overuse injury but it can also be related to things like rheumatoid arthritis. You should probably rule out the possibility that there's something else going on, or perhaps get a prescription to reduce the inflammation. If it's just a matter of overuse, all you have to do it let it heal - rest, ice, anti-inflammatories - and then there's no problem. It's probably not as dire as " I'll never be able to play guitar again. " or " I'll never train my upper body again. " I don't think you have to choose. You don't need to grip dumbbells in order to workout. The TT body weight workout we were just talking about has no weights at all. Things like push-ups and dips are upper body exercises that don't require holding or gripping anything. If you do want to hold or grip without straining your fingers, all you need is lifting hooks. They transfer the pressure to your forearms so that the weight becomes an extension of your arm rather than something you have to squeeze really hard with your hands: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gl/hooks.html Speaking of which, make sure you're not squeezing really hard. Your fingers and hands should be fairly relaxed around the weight, especially anything where you're pushing. The weight is just resting on the palm of your hand. You don't need a death grip. You should be able to wiggle your fingers. You can also use resistance bands. Again, no need for major gripping. Your hands can stay pretty loose. Or you can use machines. Pushing against pads instead of strong gripping. My husband, also a guitarist, has suffered from tendonitis in the past and he swears that MSM cured him. He was taking a half teaspoon in water a couple of times a day. http://www25.netrition.com/now_msm_page.html The research is a little sketchy on it being a miracle cure for tendonitis and pain relief, but all of the research shows that it's totally safe. So, hey, worth a try. Also make sure you're getting enough essential fatty acids from fish or flax oil. EFAs can help to reduce inflammation and improve the health of connective tissue. > Hi ladies > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some new > issues. > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands because > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to play > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start playing > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to my > hands. > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) my > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that was > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm go, > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with the > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no (!) > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > arms entirely. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Bonnie, I have started using my lifting straps all the time, even when just holding dumbbells for weighted lunges. It really takes the pain out of my hands. For instance, I was stuck at dumbbell rows at 35 lbs for a year because my hands couldn't take the weight. Now I can do 45's, using my straps. It's a very low tech solution, but it makes a huge difference. THey only cost about $6, it's worth a try. Best Regards, beth Musician AND BFL-er? Hi ladies I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some new issues. First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands because I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to play guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start playing again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to my hands. The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) my fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that was when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm thinking about giving up arms altogether. What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm go, even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with the rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no (!) but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit arms entirely. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'm a guitarist and BFL-er too! I've been playing guitar for about a year and a half. Are you taking guitar lessons? You shouldn't get tendonitis from playing guitar unless you're A) holding it incorrectly or playing too much, too soon-- just like trying to go from being sedentary to running 3 miles. If you're not taking lessons, I'd schedule a couple with a qualified teacher to make sure you're doing it right. > > Hi ladies > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some new > issues. > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands because > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to play > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start playing > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to my > hands. > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) my > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that was > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm go, > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with the > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no (!) > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > arms entirely. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Would the straps help for things like bicep curls? That's what I was doing that set my fingers off. I wonder if a different size handle on the dumbbells would help, also, but I don't know how to make them different. Maybe putting foam over them? I have problems when I vacuum too much at work also, my hands hurt from holding onto the handle. The straps are a great idea, and I think I will look into getting some. Oh that's cool to see another guitar play on here! What style do you play? I am not 100% sure my technique is right, but I think it's just coming from doing too much too soon, and using too much tension. I am talking with a few friends I know who have been playing for far longer than I have, and have " made " it in the guitar playing world without losing the use of their hands. Hopefully I'll figure out what to do to fix it. Thanks for the advice Bonnie > > Hi ladies > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some new > issues. > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands because > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to play > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start playing > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to my > hands. > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) my > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that was > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm go, > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with the > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no (!) > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > arms entirely. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 Mostly hard rock and metal. > > > > Hi ladies > > > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some > new > > issues. > > > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands > because > > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to > play > > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start > playing > > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to > my > > hands. > > > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) > my > > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that > was > > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm > go, > > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with > the > > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no > (!) > > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > > arms entirely. > > > > Bonnie > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 You can totally pass on the bicep curls if you need to. I haven't done isolated biceps and triceps in a year or more. Any rowing or pulling movement will also work your biceps. Any pushing or pressing movement will also work your triceps. If bicep curls really hurt, there's no reason to do something that you know contributes to the problem. Everything is probably pretty fired up right now, but I'm sure you'll be fine if you give your hands time to recover. After some time off lifting and gripping, ease back into it using straps/hooks and avoid anything that really hurts, make sure your form is right on the guitar and that you're not doing too much to fast (let your finger strength develop). You'll be good. Hang in there! I know it's got to be frustrating. > Would the straps help for things like bicep curls? That's what I was > doing that set my fingers off. I wonder if a different size handle on > the dumbbells would help, also, but I don't know how to make them > different. Maybe putting foam over them? I have problems when I > vacuum too much at work also, my hands hurt from holding onto the > handle. The straps are a great idea, and I think I will look into > getting some. > > Oh that's cool to see another guitar play on here! What style do you > play? I am not 100% sure my technique is right, but I think it's just > coming from doing too much too soon, and using too much tension. > > I am talking with a few friends I know who have been playing for far > longer than I have, and have " made " it in the guitar playing world > without losing the use of their hands. Hopefully I'll figure out what > to do to fix it. > > Thanks for the advice > > Bonnie > > > > > > Hi ladies > > > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some > new > > issues. > > > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands > because > > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to > play > > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start > playing > > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to > my > > hands. > > > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) > my > > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that > was > > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm > go, > > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with > the > > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no > (!) > > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > > arms entirely. > > > > Bonnie > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Bonnie, I understand your struggle. I'm a professional musician myself, and there are many causes of tendon/joint problems. It could be technique, overuse, or even a small something in your body that just isn't built for the way a guitar needs to be held and played. I've been through surgery and a whole gamut of physical therapy techniques, but there are still ways to work your upper body. Straps are definitely one possibility, but you might also try complex movements instead of isolating each muscle with free weights. If you're a member of a gym, some weight machines are set up in ways that don't require the same kind of strength from particular joints or muscles. (For example, I work my chest doing the butterfly press, which has minimal forearm/wrist involvement.) I'd suggest talking to a trainer or physical therapist about how to work the various muscle groups without adding to the pain you're experiencing. And I can't stress enough the importance of allowing recovery (which is different from covering up the pain with medicine) before using it again. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks so much for the advice! I guess I have too much of an all or nothing attitude about it. My hands are a little better since I stopped practicing 6 days or so ago, and hopefully they should continue to recover. I will definitely have to check into the MSM (I think I've seen it at walmart?) and take more flax. I had been taking a heaping teaspoon of seeds at night and in the morning, but I haven't recently because we're on the road and things get so unscheduled and unpredictable. Onward to more leg and core workouts at the present! I did the first real ab workout in the first time in a long time last night and I got that pleasant " pre-nausea " feeling that makes you just woozy enough to know that you did something It's so funny what you get happy about with workouts. Normal people must think we're nuts! I did look at the Turbulence Training 4 week thing and I have it on my harddrive so I can look at it whenever I need to. As for the guitar technique, I'm going to be studying with someone to try and correct whatever might be wrong. Thanks so much Bonnie > > Hi ladies > > I haven't posted here in a while but I've been reading all of my > emails from here lately, AND visiting Skwiggs blog (which was > motivation to start eating right again) and I'm coming into some new > issues. > > First off, after I type this I'll probably have aching hands because > I've developed tendonitis from playing guitar. I really want to play > guitar, and I'll do whatever rest I need to be able to start playing > again, and I'll stop doing things that cause unecessary stress to my > hands. > > The last time I did anything with my dumbbells (about a month ago) my > fingers hurt a little when I played guitar the next day (and that was > when I didn't have tendonitis). I'm afraid to do pushups (I've gone > from 40 in a row to probably 0!), don't want to hurt my fingers > holding onto a doorway to do pullups (from 8 to probably 0) and I'm > thinking about giving up arms altogether. > > What is your advice? I've really gone backwards as far as my arm go, > even though I have a decent *looking* tricep flex still (and that > might disappear before long). I don't know if it's possible to work > my arms properly and still have full guitar-playing function. > > Can I just pretend that my arms don't work, and continue on with the > rest of BFL? I guess I'm going to try whether y'all say yes or no (!) > but I just wondered how detrimental you think it might be to quit > arms entirely. > > Bonnie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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