Feeling of weakness/loss of dexterity in left hand
 

Hi all,

I don't really know if this has anything to do with guitar playing, but for a few months I notice my left hand starting to feel weaker and less dextrous, even a little numb. I'm right-handed so this is my fretting hand. It's hard to pin down things I can't do that I could before - I probably never used it for those things before and now I'm conscious of it!
The one thing I don't find it that I'm loosing strength for fretting on the guitar, well once when playing 12-str my hand just gave out but I think that's lack of practice.
I'm partly worried that if this develops it could impair my playing ability, and partly curious if playing guitar could actually be the cause.

Anyone else come across this - do guitarists commonly suffer from repetitive strain injuries like computer users (I also use computer all day for work) or tennis players?

I'm no expert, but it could be the beggining of carpel tunnel syndrome.

Yes, repetitive strain injuries are a hazard of guitar playing. I think your problem could arise anywhere from your neck to your hands, and it could result from guitar playing, computer use, or both. I would go see someone sooner rather than later.

Yeah, RSI/CT would actually be a nice diagnosis I suppose as that can be treated rather than something scary like ALS or a brain tumour :) I did have issues using the computer years ago but they seemed to magically go away until now. Perhaps the combination of guitar + computer is too much.

I do sometimes think I kink my left wrist too much when playing, practically at a 90 degree angle - never sure if that's normal!

I think you had a stroke.

Not really, but about 4 years ago I had a killer headache for a few days and my left hand cant type for squat since. Guitar playing did not change, but you really wouldn't notice that difference anyway.

See a doctor. They may be able to alleviate any Carpal Tunnel or other issues with simple anti-inflamatory meds like Naprosyn or Ibuprofen and maybe some kind of a change in routines. Sure beats waiting until surgery time.

It's not a substitute for getting professional advice, but you might start doing some hand/finger stretches.

I tried playing the mandolin for about 6 months and had to stop playing because of the pain in my wrist. I took 6 months off from playing Both the guitar and mandolin. Now I stick to guitar only with a wider nut. I still wear a wrist brace at work occasionally.

Feeling of weakness/loss of dexterity in left hand
 

Try carpal tunnel stretching exercises on YouTube. Makes a big difference.

When I got my issues "with CTS" tested, the guy doing the nerve testing recommend wearing wrist braces at night. He pointed out that no matter what, sooner or later we end up in a fetal position with our wrists curled while sleeping..much like our fret wrist is supposed to be when playing the guitar.

This is what causes the 'damage'.

Combining this with repeated & numerous full days at a laptop, and lots of playing in the evenings, is when my symptoms appeared (on both wrists actually).

I noticed very quick improvement in my wrists when i started wearing the braces to bed, and trying to conciously straighten my wrists while sleeping/wakening. I only needed them for a short while.

See a physician!

There are number of possible explanations, some simple and minor, some complex and more serious. It's probably one of the former but it's best to be sure and get a professional, face-to-face assessment.

Yes, before spending time and money on a doctor, try some stretches and exercises. about 6 months ago i was thinking my playing days were growing very short. now, after stretching before, during, and after playing, i'm about 90% again. what have you got to lose?

best of luck to you!

As well as CTS, a narrowing of the foraminal space where the nerve passes from the spinal cord through the vertebra and/or degenerative disks at vertebra C6or7 puts pressure on the nerve which can result in a loss of arm/hand strength. It may or may not be accompanied by pain… Often comes along with being 50+ and the wear and tear that got you there. MRI and good Doc are needed to pin it down.

If your finances allow I suggest you go to your primary doctor and have him suggest a hand specialist that will give you an expert diagnosis.

I have another common guitar related problem called trigger thumb which will be operated on January 15th. It took me months to get into a specialist and more time waiting for surgery. When I originally talked with the doctor he reviewed several xrays checking for arthritis, CT, bone spurs and ligament damage.

The only thing he found was the ligament issues which has a high percentage success rate after surgery.

I was relieved to know the actual reason for the pain but also nice to know I don't have any immediate age related issues like arthritis, spurs or CT creeping up.

Good luck with you hands.

.....also.....

It really depends on exactly which fingers are feeling numb. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve which can result in thumb index and middle finger numbness along with the thumb side of the ring finger.

If your small finger is feeling numb, then the problem IS NOT carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ulnar nerve pinched maybe around elbow. I had that before. Middle finger, ring finger and pinky and side of hand by pinky went numb for me, and I couldn't spread my fingers very far apart from each other from lack of strength.