antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
|
Post by antipesto on Feb 25, 2018 11:23:29 GMT
Hey folks.
I nearly seized up completely yesterday from pain in my right shoulder/neck/upper arm. It's been troubling me for months, and sometimes is really bad, but yesterday it stopped me altogether. I assume it's due to playing too much, as I have practiced almost every day for an hour or more a day for 2 years, (though it doesn't show in my performance!!!). I don't usually do an hour straight, it's more like 4x 15 minutes, always on a small acoustic, always with a strap, 50% standing, 50% sitting. I need to keep up the practice, so I really don't want to lay off guitar for a few weeks, (or even days).
Anyone know about this sort of thing? My medical training is all psychology/psychiatry which is useless!
Help!!
|
|
|
Post by NikGnashers on Feb 25, 2018 11:38:05 GMT
Not 100% sure what it is, as I am no doctor. But, from my years of lifting weights and general exercising, it sounds like it 'might' be rotator cuff injury. It could also be a trapped nerve if it has come on suddenly ? Rotator cuff wear, can usually be traced to repetitive movements at any extended position of the shoulder joint, ie where your movement cannot travel any further. I could be way off with my diagnosis of course
|
|
|
Post by oustudent on Feb 25, 2018 11:51:03 GMT
What is the size of the guitar you play, anything OM or bigger can do the same for me.
J
|
|
antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
|
Post by antipesto on Feb 25, 2018 12:24:34 GMT
Thank you folks.
NG: It's been creeping up on me for months, but now is much worse. I do wonder if cold or damp weather actually aggravates it.
OS: It,s an "OO" A little folky thing.
|
|
|
Post by vikingblues on Feb 25, 2018 12:51:01 GMT
It's difficult to tell with pains in the shoulder / neck / upper arm, as the source of the problem often seems to be quite distant from where the pain is.
With me it's usually the major muscles down my back that cause my neck and shoulder pains. Work is also a pain in the neck, but that's another issue. Physiotherapy has often proved to be the (expensive) cure for the pains, and a portable Shiatsu Massage Pillow is helping me a lot these days. I've found the usual GP advice of Paracetamol and sleeping on a hard board useless or even more painful!
I hope you can find a remedy.
Mark
|
|
missclarktree
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,427
My main instrument is: It varies
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"1979e6"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 100605
Mini-Profile Text Color: 020a12
|
Post by missclarktree on Feb 25, 2018 16:19:23 GMT
How about trying a different playing position for a while - maybe the classical position or using a guitar rest?
|
|
|
Post by fatfingerjohn on Feb 25, 2018 17:50:37 GMT
Hi, My standard reply to anything medical is recommend you to ask someone qualified and not hope that a fellow-sufferer knows what your problem is. I have 'frozen shoulder' which is not too bad and only aches after a while but I needed to see a doc and physio to check what it was. I worry about amateur diagnosis ... Good luck, hope it's correctible. FFJ
|
|
|
Post by littlemart on Feb 25, 2018 17:52:17 GMT
Sounds similar to something I had a few years ago which was diagnosed as bursitis - inflammation of the bursa which, apparently, are fluid filled pockets that cushion your joints and tendons. I'm not saying this is what you've got, of course. However, if it's any consolation it did clear up but needed time and patience and a few trips to the physio'. In the longer term, Alexander Technique might be worth looking at if you decide your playing position is at the root of the problem. Hope this helps and that it resolves soon.
|
|
antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
|
Post by antipesto on Feb 25, 2018 18:04:17 GMT
Thank you, folks. My faith in doctors is very low for reasons I won't go into. I understand some reluctance to self diagnose or seeing the "Google doctor," but experience is a good teacher, and oft to be heeded. Don't worry, despite my crazyness, (if you met me, you'd understand), I do have a discerning and somewhat cynical perspective, sieving out ideas with caution. So with that in mind, I do welcome all thoughts and stories. Knowledge is flower..... No, wait.... Power. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on Feb 26, 2018 9:44:15 GMT
Hi anti,
I've had similar problems over the years. Almost certainly this is due to tension and poor posture. You are giving yourself some pretty extensive rehearsal time. And i'm willing to bet that it is the standing part that is most problematical. With a 00 sized instrument the physical dimensions shouldn't be giving you too many problems.
Relaxation and posture are pretty important which is why so many musicians and actors practice the Alexander Technique — you might want to research this.
A couple of ideas.
Try a footstool — don't buy one of those cheap plastic/metal ones as they break. Invest in a wooden stand (will cost about £15). You can use this under either foot depending on you favoured position.
Limit the time on you rehearsal sessions. 40 minutes is about right an hour max. then die yourself a good break to relax and to do some other things.
When standing really examine your posture. You know the thing no haunching. There should be a straight vertical line through your shoulder to your hips. Stand in front of a mirror to get the look and feel right.
Finally, remember you are concentrating very hard. You need to shorten up the sessions and break them up — keep the same time overall if you want ti but do it differently.
|
|
antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
|
Post by antipesto on Feb 26, 2018 10:08:38 GMT
Very fine, Mr H. I think this is indeed, the key to it. I'd assumed it to be arthritis, (the wife suffers terribly from it), until one day she, (the wife), said, "Did you say your shoulder is better after sleeping?" I told her that "yes", this was the case. "That's not arthritis, then!" She announced. "Arthritis does not feel better after a sleep!!"
Well, that did it for the arthritis theory, I'm glad to say.
Now I'm going with the "Howell theory", which I suspect may well be right.
Thanks folks.
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on Feb 26, 2018 13:08:57 GMT
Almost certainly stress and tension — and those are long practice sessions!
About 15 years ago Instated having lower back problems and not much I could do would get rid of them. My independent guitar shop guy just asked if I'd been playing a lot standing up. I had. I just took it seriously after that. Tension is a killer.
|
|
|
Post by bobcarter on Feb 26, 2018 17:08:36 GMT
Agree with the above that taking medical advice on discussion forums is probably never a good idea! But I've had something similar since June 2017 which is only now getting better after physio since September. Mine almost certainly caused by bad playing posture/tension plus computer work.
For me right shoulder became very tight - lying flat on back with arms out my right arm would be up at 45 degrees and would hurt abominably if pushed lower. Have gradually fixed it by lots of stretching against door frames, using stretchy bands to build up strength, etc. Also changing to having guitar on left leg classical style helped a lot to stop me gripping guitar body with right arm. Now it's better (though not perfect yet) I'm used to that position so won't go back.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 34,111
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
Member is Online
|
Post by ocarolan on Feb 26, 2018 21:32:00 GMT
See your GP and ask for a physio referral. Anything else risks making things worse. Ask my daughter.
Keith
|
|
antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
|
Post by antipesto on Feb 26, 2018 22:40:00 GMT
Yes, this is good advice, but I know from experience that physio referrals take 3 to 6 months!! In fact, they don't really happen at all.
|
|