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Guitar Health
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
by Gary Allen
Almost everyone has heard of carpal tunnel these days. More than
likely you know someone who has had it. Carpal tunnel is the swelling
of the tissue around the median nerve which runs through the carpal
tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the bones and ligaments in
your wrist. When the tissues in around or in your carpal tunnel
swell they put pressure on the median nerve and the blood vessels
that nourish the median nerve. This can cause tingling, numbness,
weakness, or pain in your wrist.
The cause of carpal tunnel is generally from repetitive motion
of the fingers or wrist from things such as typing, equipment operating
and even guitar playing. This goes for any instrument that requires
repetitive wrist and finger movements. There are other causes for
carpal tunnel including normal wear from aging, arthritis, gout,
diabetes, broken wrist bones, as well as tumors in the wrist.
Since you are a guitar player you have a high risk of developing
carpal tunnel from the repetitive motions of chording and playing
scales or leads. This is true for a musician from drummers to horn
players. Now I know that we are all not going to quit playing our
guitars or practicing so we need to know what we can do to protect
ourselves from carpal tunnel. Some of the steps we can take to help
prevent carpal tunnel are taking breaks when practicing or playing
for long periods of time, and exercising your wrist and finger muscles.
According to Web MD keeping your arm, hand and finger muscles strong
will help prevent the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Do exercises
to flex and stretch your hands and wrists before you start playing.
These things will help minimize your susceptibility to this condition.
If you feel that this is a problem you already have, see your doctor.
If caught early there are steps they can recommend to help without
surgery.
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