Advice on my Carpal Tunnel?
Question:
I am a 16 year old guitar player. I play every day for about 8 hours
I have carpal tunnel in both hands..and its keeping me from sleeping
I do accupuncture, I wear braces, but I refuse to stop playing
I did for 2 months and nothing occured except even more weakness in my hands
Hottubs have worked well, and I ice it every night
I am trying to avoid as much surgery and medication as possible. But this is painful. I can hardly open doors.
Yes, I do give my hands a break. I dont want to be told to stop playing
Does 420 work?
any suggestions?
Answers:
If you are playing guitar enough to damage your carpal tunnel, then nothing is going to make any difference if you continue to play.
Can you adapt your hold on your guitar so that your wrists are in a different position, maybe?
In my humble opinion, if you are unable to open doors, and this is caused by overuse of your wrists in a manner of which you are fully aware, and, knowing this is causing your problem you "refuse to stop playing," then it is likely that you will continue to injure/re-injure the joints.
You may find that eventually your wrists will be so damaged that you will not be able to play.
I hate to be harsh, but it is your call, dear. (Note that I did not tell you to stop playing..)
No clue what "420" is, but there is a product meant to lubricate metal called WD-40 which some have thought might help relieve pain. I suppose if you used enough of it, you could so damage your system that you could become toxic and physically ill. However, in no amount has it been shown to help any aches or pains.
You might consider finding a highly experienced surgeon. (I know, you don't want to hear this.) The only way to stop the pain you feel is for the structures that are crushing the tendons in your wrist to be released.
Medication is only a temporary solution, and anything that will relieve the pain in your wrists will also be in all your other tissues, something you might want to consider since, judging by your question, you are aware of the effects of chemicals on your body.
Have you thought about a chiropractor? There's this guy I know whose wife has that problem. She started to his chiropractor and they said the problem was in the shoulders. They are treating her shoulders and she feels so much better.
It couldn't hurt to try it.
Good Luck!
Hi, I also have carpal tunneland I know how misery your in...get the surgery you wont regret it I hope I got both my wrists done and now I cqan do all i did before and better i was typeing 3 days after the surgery and 420 works but you need to remember your music so avoid that for controling pain
"I am trying to avoid as much surgery and medication as possible"
plus
"I dont want to be told to stop playing"
So that rules out medical solutions and behavioral solutions.
You know what the solution is. You ask, yet you don't want to hear the answer.
All that's left are alternative therapies, which you'll spend a few years trying, only to figure out that they were false leads. By that time your problem will be even worse.
You're in denial.
Good luck with your condition.
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