Wrist pain?

[Von Beerhofen]

Originally Posted by Warrenaines

I agree with most of this, but how would food or alcohol cause wrist pain????

It's a well known fact that food deficiancy or alcohol abuse can cause ANY kind of problems, including bad lubrication of joints or diminishing softbone tissue. Ofcourse the implications of this goes way beyond wrist pain. I don't mean to say that wrist pain is always indicative of such behaviour but it can be. A healthy diet can illiminate this cause which means one worry less.

Ludwig

[NavyChap]

MusicBox, I somewhat jokingly tell people that I did not inherit my Mom's good looks or her great memory -- but **** I did get her arthritis! When I wake in the morning I can barely close my hands into a fist. Absolutely recommend seeing an orthopedic specialist. I take one pill in the AM and one at night and it really helps. An easy fix. Some other folks swear by glucosamine (? spelling) that you can purchase over the counter. I tried it and can't say that it helped me -- but everyone is different. One med works for one person and not another. Again, best to see someone who specializes in it.

[aknow]

Most wrist/hand problems are due to overuse/disuse. There are no generic answers without a medical exam. Most of our guitarist patients benefit by performing wrist extension exercises, and withholding all flexion, or typical bicep strengthening motions.
During playing, if pain is evident, apply a small self-grip tape support to the distal radius/ulna, (molinpic/or kinesio-tape-self grip) (your wrist) to approximate the bones toward each other.
That can prevent a lot of damage, and relieve pain. With pain, apply ice pack after playing (5-15 min) frozen vegetable bag over paper towel, ice both sides.
See a sports physician, hopefully holistic, and good luck!!

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Von Beerhofen

It's a well known fact that food deficiancy or alcohol abuse can cause ANY kind of problems, including bad lubrication of joints or diminishing softbone tissue. Ofcourse the implications of this goes way beyond wrist pain. I don't mean to say that wrist pain is always indicative of such behaviour but it can be. A healthy diet can illiminate this cause which means one worry less.

Ludwig

Theoretically alcohol/diet can cause all sorts of ailments, but extremely unlikely alcohol/diet is causing isolated wrist pain in a guitarist. Like .001% chance unlikely. About as likely as a football players knee pain being caused by alcohol diet rather than the sport. Wrist pain is naturally fairly common for guitarists (not that it should therefore be ignored), caused by repetitive stress, overuse, excess tension even in short periods etc. Clould also be compounded or originating from work (desk job or other) or arthritis. Best to see a medical professional to better determine exact cause, but all of these things are exponentially more likely than alcohol/diet.

And correcting the problem will take some change and time. It's easier and thus more sustainable for most people to not try to make multiple lifestyle changes at once, and revamping diet is often one of the hardest, so I don't think that's a good idea unless strongly recommended by a medical professional.

[SprintBob]

You could have the early stages of DeQuervain's Syndrome which is common in guitar player's fretting hands. Two years ago, I experienced similar soreness as you describe and went to a hand specialist who told me I had a mild case. He gave me a cortisone shot and it immediately went away. His last word to me after the shot was to go play my guitar. I did change my position as I now play with the neck of the guitar at shoulder to neck level now and I try to minimize bending my fretting hand wrist keeping it straight as possible. Hydration, good diet, correct posture, and stretching are also good habits/tips. See the doctor (preferably a hand specialist) to be sure.

[merlin666]

I have also had wrist pain issues over the year but fortunately they have not persisted, but re-occur sometimes. The pain happens most often with my 12 -string, which has a fairly shallow neck profile and higher action than I would like and probably needs a neck re-set. But I'm also looking for a different 12 string with 12 frets and thicker neck as I think that may resolve the issue. I have the least discomfort with an Ovation Adamas that has a fairly chunky neck and is very easy to play, so this has been my main instrument this year. I have to admit that about 50% of the time I continue playing despite the pain, and I don't think that this has worsened the condition.

[Clallam]

Originally Posted by Warrenaines

Definitely agree with not playing through pain in this situation and seeing a Dr. is good advice, I just hope you find a Dr. better than most. Ive dealt with upper back/neck pain that probably started with too much time at a desk job/bad posture but was certainly exacerbated by playing guitar and Drs. were little help.

And I live in an area with generally very good medical care -- very good surgeons, cancer specialists, highly ranked medical schools, but the docs I saw were pretty useless for muscle and nerve issues. Stretches I found online and in books and standing up playing has helped me a lot; your situation is different but there's very likely a way to get better.

You need the right specialist. Either a hand specialist or since you live near a hospital big enough to have a medical school they will have doctors specializing in "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". They deal with overuse injuries all the time.