204084 said:
...I expected some pain in the left arm because of the extended layoff but I also expected that to diminish as time went on. Instead it has actually started to become residual for hours and has even worked its way into my left shoulder. I've been researching this subject and there is a lot of information out there as well as opinions about the cause/solution. So I have a few questions:
How long have you been playing?
Have you ever taken a long hiatus from playing?
When you play, how long can you go in one session without having physical problems?
The Patti MacDonald I worked for off and on for about 25 years was on radio in Portland Oregon during WWII and then had a vocal group akin to the McGuire Sisters, Lemon Sisters, etc. Then she toured Hilton Hotel lounges with her husband for 20 years before settling here in Santa Cruz to raise her sons. She operated a voice studio (Susanne Somers, and several other Miss America Pageant franchise series people, were clients). She was a Life Member of the Musicians Union. We did lots of floor shows, recitals, and Miss America Pageant Franchise jobs. The "orchestra" such as it was diminshed as the years went by, finally consisting of a rhythm section (she led from the piano), synthesized horns and strings (her sons), and a bunch of production background vocalists. She died of lung cancer late in '07 after supporting her family exclusively as a musician for about 50 years. She was a kick, could swing hard when she wanted, and always treated her musicians with utmost respect. I miss her and the wonderful pros in the band, like a family.
I have played guitar continuously (time off for boot camp) since 1960.
Pursuant to pain and layoffs: I only laid off for six weeks after carpal tunnel release surgery about 16 years ago and have no trouble at this time playing two back-to-back gigs crosstown from each other (like last Sunday) on 14 gauge TI Be-Bop strings. After not playing at all for the prescribed six weeks recovery, I started back on a Les Paul with VERY light strings, playing only a few minutes, then 15, 30, etc. for about six months, with only some thumb fatigue. After a year, I was back to 100% as if 20 years had been rolled back.
Your pain should be looked into. I had bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrone which was extremely disabling in my fretting hand after 5 minutes: tingling, numbness, then pain, in short order if I played or even held unto a piece of paper in my left hand! Physical therapy did not help me.
IBprophen allowed me to play a bit but was hard on my system generally. I slept in braces for a while but it progressed to where nothing really helped.
My understanding is that there are nerves in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist (in my case) that can cause a variety of symptoms. A nerve conduction study by an orthopedic specialist would possibly help narrow down your problem. I also had some damage in my elbow and a bit in my shoulders from vocational injuries over time (my day job), but the CTS release surgery was what they decided would most help me, and did (my left hand received the surgery, the right settled down after work modifications, and losing some weight).
If you're playing a lot of drills after a long layoff, especially up the neck on a long scale acoustic (like an F-50), you may have overstressed. Repetitive stress injuries take a lot of care to keep them from going chronic. When I taught (especially adults) I was against drill. It's slow death for adults. I recommend leaving the guitar out, then picking it up whenever you enter that room and "re-remember" what you were working on. My learning curve is so obtuse now drill is entirely counter-productive for me. I get better overnight, magically!
Happy to report that now at age 60, despite the aches and pains (especially financially: I'm retired!) and arthritus, of age, my CTS has completely gone away for some years and I can play without limit (except for my abysmally deficient harmony and counterpoint theory chops).
I will echo the strap issues. I play seated with a strap supporting my guitar. A few weeks ago I sidemanned in a raunchy dance music gig and stood for four sets! My feet were killing me for days afterwards. Never again! :x
