Tension, stiffness, and injury prevention

Playing Technique
#1

So I was making some good progress on pretty much everything I was working on for about 2 weeks. Even just 3 days ago everything I was doing just massively improved. (working on chugging, sweep picking, alternate picking, crosspicking)

However yesterday and today I feel like im running into maybe an overuse issue of my elbow and forearm. Specifically I feel tension (and even a little pain and tightness when im not playing) in either my brachioradialis or my Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis/Longus. Not sure which ones exactly cause im not a doctor but im pretty sure the tension is in one of those.

Im thinking maybe the next step for me is to take a little break (2 or 3 days). And maybe do some relaxation exercises. What would y’all do in my situation?

#2

you can always do some ear training exercises or something so you don’t feel like you’re spinning your wheels musically while resting your arms

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#3

True! Ive been so into technique lately because of Troys stuff that I forgot about everything else there is to practice in music!

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#4

I would probably take a little break. And maybe examine the position of your hands and how you move up and down the neck. There might be a more efficient way that will prevent future injuries.

#5

I’m not a doc but I when through a lot of this kind of thing honing my malmsteen picking hand. I played for 7 months approximately 8 hours a day. I had pains that kicked in and would only stop after I started to play again each session. There were excruciating and I used Ice often. I started in my forearm, and over a few weeks the pain moved from my forearm to my upper arm , shoulder then neck, in that sequence iirc. Each time it moved the pain from the previous area disappeared. I just kept going till even the neck pain disappeared and finally nothing. I the mean time I had switched to an ergonomic track ball mouse.

Now Ihave no fatigue doing malmsteen all day. Granted I’m playing other styles now. So personally I’d say muster up and keep going, but of course I’m not a doctor and have no responsibility on your situation.

Good luck.

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#6

Good information here. It sucks you had to deal with that pain but glad to hear it has subsided. Couldn’t help wondering exactly what your practice time looked like when you were going all in with the 8 hours a day. Roughly how did you break it down each session if you don’t mind?

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#7

It’s been a while since then but I think by the end of it I realised I was doing it wrong.

Typical chunks, ascending, descending 3s, 4s, etc… arpeggios 3, 4, 5, and finally 2 string. Also learning one track (far beyond the sun) bar by bar, not exactly sure when I started the first track note for note. I used material form multiple sources, CTC, Cesario, Bach (presto, etc) etc.

Towards the end of it, 9 months in I realised I was doing it wrong, the max benefit I got was three sets of 18 mins a day, separated by not playing for best results, trying not no noddle in and around sets, this was critical, so what ever it was that I worked on held till the next day. Sleep was important, never expect results the same day, but always would find the next morning exciting to see how things have moved along. Before that I’d spend the whole day on a drills and other things, messy and slow, it was not as well focused as the three 18 min sessions. Honestly each 18 min set can be very hard to mange with our modern ADDHD… I don’t know where I picked up on this 18 min thing, maybe an article posted here by the medical community of some other guru like Don Mock or somebody.

This was just my experience at the time, I think a lot of folks here have a much better understanding of these things. Troy and Tommo are the best folks to talk to about such things, their continuity here has definitely built up some serious experience regarding these things.

Good Luck @DimeCFH

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#8

Hey thanks for the reply! So in the past week since I first posted this I basically have barely touched my guitar and have been focusing my energy into health (fitness, learning anatomy, yoga, core stabilization etc). Im still not a doctor (obviously) but what I can say about what I’ve learned these past few days is learning about posture core stabilization and anatomy has helped me apply some stretching and strengthening to my body needed to sit in a position where I can practice guitar more comfortably.

So basically speaking from the personal experience I’ve gained these past few days learning this stuff might give hope or at least ideas on how to solve some of these issues. That being said It’s best to speak to an actual physical therapist about what issues you might be facing, but I’m stubborn, not that I don’t trust them I’m just cheap.

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