Do I have Carpal tunnel syndrome?!
Question: I am a guitar player for about 3 years now, and just recently when ever I play my thumb (like the padded part of the thumb on the palm side of my hand) starts to "cramp" up. I know a guy that was also a guitar player who got carpal tunnel syndrome but he has been playing for 10 years. So I was wondering if maybe I have gotten it also? I dont want to go to the doctor just yet because if it indead is not CTS i dont want to waste money and look like a retard.
NOTE- I play at least 30 minutes a day, most days are more, and for 3 years. So i have spent alot of time playing guitar in thoes 3 years.
The "cramping" hurts pretty bad, and will even discourage me from playing. So im kind of worried.
Answers: I am a guitar player for about 3 years now, and just recently when ever I play my thumb (like the padded part of the thumb on the palm side of my hand) starts to "cramp" up. I know a guy that was also a guitar player who got carpal tunnel syndrome but he has been playing for 10 years. So I was wondering if maybe I have gotten it also? I dont want to go to the doctor just yet because if it indead is not CTS i dont want to waste money and look like a retard.
NOTE- I play at least 30 minutes a day, most days are more, and for 3 years. So i have spent alot of time playing guitar in thoes 3 years.
The "cramping" hurts pretty bad, and will even discourage me from playing. So im kind of worried.
Its possible but unlikely. Let the guitar rest for a week or so while you do some stretching and strengthing exercises. Then ease back into it.
I know people that practice and play for hours a day. 30 minutes isn't all that much.
Do your hands and arms cause you to wake up in the middle of the night with with severe stabbing and tingling pains? Not just occasionally but every night. How old are you and what else do you do-work,etc?
maybe-but diesn't really sound like it
when I had it-I had a lot of numbess and tingling and pain in my wrists and hands-
try treating teh thumb itslef-anitinflammatories (NSAIDS like ibuprofren) and ice-
if it spreads-then get to a doc
look if its cts then try using over the counter pain pills and ice.make sure the pain pills have an antiinflammitory in them. other than that you would have to see a doctor