Stretching to Avoid Injury

Anyone that has tried to play guitar for any amount of time will notice that eventually you will find chords and positions that make your hand, wrist or forearm  hurt. Stop playing immediately when this happens,  even if you are in the middle of a lesson.  It is a bad habit to assume that “it’s just part of learning and I should tuff it out”.

There are plenty of things you can work on without using your hands. Visualization, memorizing the fingerboard, pitch training and listening.

Remember that if you sit at a desk all day typing, you are already at risk for tendinitis. Use warm up exercises when you are working too. Drink lots of water, that is what lubricates your joints.

It could be a sign that your Guitar needs to be set-up differently or you might need to use a lighter gauge of string. Practicing in front of a large mirror or video camera/monitor is great because when you look at the fingerboard from above, you are simultaneously craning your neck as you lean forward and your hand position is compromised. The angle of your forearm changes and you are not able to keep your thumb in place.

Practicing in front of a mirror will make you more aware of your posture. Another thing often overlooked is warming up. You warm up by stretching your hands and forearms for a good 5 minutes. There are some good videos on youtube showing hand stretching, tendinitis, carpal tunnel exercises. Here’s one

Playing using a pick increases the chances of right hand tendinitis. Be careful not to pinch too hard. Learning the pressure points in the arm/hand/shoulder is a good idea. Here is a Reflexology hand chart.

Never massage a muscle lengthwise, always rub against the direction the muscle runs. Doing Tai chi or any kind of slow graceful movement helps.

Try to balance standing and sitting, when you are practicing. Get in the habit of checking posture periodically and remind yourself to warm up before AND after you play. Especially if you have a long session. This may sound like common sense but avoid excess consumption of alcohol or chemical party favours. These dehydrate  and decrease your sensitivty to strain.