Discomfort (tendonitis?) in strumming forearm

[Norrissey]

I've been experiencing some discomfort/stiffness/pain in my strumming forearm. I think tendonitis. Almost certainly due to playing the guitar. Curious if anyone has any suggestions on treating this issue short of taking a break from playing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Westerly Wood]

Are you strumming a dreadnaught, Norrissey? On the dread, assuming typical position of guitar on lap, your right arm juts out away from body, which can cramp the arm and force tension in the forearm. This can also impact the fight shoulder. A smaller body Guild with less depth can help alleviate issue (not always, I can only speak from my own experience).

 

[Norrissey]

Are you strumming a dreadnaught, Norrissey?

Thanks for your note. Yes. I do play my dreads a lot. I think what you describe with the arm being pushed away from the body is part of the problem but not all of it. I seem to have less residual pain when I play my S-100s. Weirdly, my arm doesn't hurt much when I'm playing. Just after and especially the next morning.

 

[Boneman]

Might be slight tennis elbow. I tore my right forearm in May, picking arm, and experienced the worst pain in my arm I’ve ever felt. To this day it still bothers me, albeit not as bad as back then, but I kept playing my dreads despite. Doctor said it could take 18 months but keep living your life.

 

[Guildedagain]

Find something else to do, easy and relaxing, like chopping wood, doing plumbing, etc...

 

[walrus]

I would say +1 on WW's post. For me it was my right shoulder that was saved from pain by moving from a dread to my F-30. Worth a try. Good luck!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I get tendonitis a lot. It does go away, but not if you don't baby it. So don't take a break, but take it easy. Not just in your playing, but in everyday things like putting on a shirt and steering a car. Hammering nails and splitting wood are right out.

It's like what Keith Richards says about arthritis: The pain is just teaching you new ways to play.

 

[RBSinTo]

I've been experiencing some discomfort/stiffness/pain in my strumming forearm. I think tendonitis. Almost certainly due to playing the guitar. Curious if anyone has any suggestions on treating this issue short of taking a break from playing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Norrissey,
I suggest you and your forearm see your doctor, and let him/her diagnose the problem and prescribe treatment.
I am not a fan of self-diagnosis based on degrees from the Google School of Medicine.
Visit good, knowledgeable people, and take their advice.
RBSinTo

 

[walrus]

Norrissey,
I suggest you and your forearm see your doctor, and let him/her diagnose the problem and prescribe treatment.
I am not a fan of self-diagnosis based on degrees from the Google School of Medicine.
Visit good, knowledgeable people, and take their advice.
RBSinTo

Wait, you don't consider opinions of LTGers as valid diagnoses?!

 

[lungimsam]

Where does it hurt exactly? Bob and Brad Physical Therapists have tons of videos on YouTube for PT exercises. You might find one that addresses where your pain is.

 

[chazmo]

Is it where the front edge of the guitar meets your arm? You might be a candidate to try an armrest / wedge.

Good luck in finding the source, Norrissey!

 

[Neal]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, which makes my forearms ache as well.

I waited way too long to get serious about treatment, and now must have surgery on both.

Do yourself a favor and see an orthopedist now.

 

[Norrissey]

Where does it hurt exactly?

On the outside or front of my forearm. Where the tendon meets the elbow joint.

 

[Norrissey]

I waited way too long to get serious about treatment

I'm sorry about your carpal tunnel Neal. That is probably a good warning/reminder that I should go see my doctor and get some physical therapy.

 

[Norrissey]

Good luck in finding the source, Norrissey!

Thanks Charlie! The pain is on the side of my forearm/elbow away from the guitar. There is a tendon there. It's quite sore where it meets the elbow. I'm going to look into getting some physical therapy.

 

[chazmo]

That does sound like tennis elbow, Norrissey! It may also be some ergonomic factor related to the way you hold your hand when picking/strumming.

Anyway, again, best of luck!!!

 

[Guildedagain]

Where does it hurt exactly?

Can you show me where it hurts?

 

[Walter Broes]

I'd try a smaller guitar. You have to be a tall, long armed person to be able to sit down for hours with a dread.

 

[HeyMikey]

Thanks Charlie! The pain is on the side of my forearm/elbow away from the guitar. There is a tendon there. It's quite sore where it meets the elbow. I'm going to look into getting some physical therapy.

It might also be a bone spur digging into the tendon. I had that and it required surgery, then a lot of PT. If it persists ask your doc.

 

[lungimsam]

At 4:00 they show the exercises.