For the last couple of years I've had the occasional bit of numbness in my left hand, mainly while gaming, and sometimes driving. Also when gripping something tightly ( screwdriver etc) it will be sore.
This has never impacted playing before ( although up until a few months ago my frequency of guitar was sporadic at besy) but lately when I do any chords that require the index finger to be used or the thumb to be wrapped round the neck I get a sharp pain in my left index finger and hand. I physically can't hold an F chord at all now.
It's only the last few months that I've been playing regularly (daily ish) but it's only the last couple of weeks where the problem seems to be getting worse. I've also changed guitar recently from an Epi Les Paul to a PRS SE. The necks are different but not dramatically so, and I'm wondering could the have made the problem worse?
Is this the dreaded Carpal Tunnel? Or is there anything else that could be causing it?
Comments
Speaking from personal experience here, I would definitely recommend taking this seriously. If you say you've had numbness for a while in your hand, and it's now getting worse, you definitely have to start taking proactive steps as it will only keep getting worse.
Doing the releases in these videos each day helped me out a lot and had effects quickly. Was actually years after I had finished my physio and no longer experiencing any pain in my daily life (until the second I tried to pick up the guitar).
And it would definitely be prudent to do some stretching if you don't already. And most crucially... taking it very easy the guitar and gaming, playing as relaxed as possible and stopping whenever you have any pain, taking plenty of rest.
I think I'm going to bite the bullet and go to the doctor as much as I'm not a fan of them in general.
From what you've said about the pain, I think the 2nd video of the 2 might be most relevant.
I thought it was arthritis but blood tests showed it wasn’t? In the past I have had acupuncture but it’s not proven and doesn’t work for everyone. It did relieve it for a short time. A trip to the doctors maybe is good starting point I would say.
I exhibited pain and fatigue in the base of my left index finger for years ( I ended up playing very little during that time). I had MRI scans , ortho surgeons appointments the lot.
Saw a post on a forum about not sleeping on your side ( I’d always slept on my left side, foetal style) , swappped swapped sides and the next day pain was gone ! Definitely worth a go.
I had hand surgery in '09- originally I thought it was carpel tunnel but it turned out to be a couple of fused tendons.
Took 2 years to recover but now I am playing at 100%.
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Is one possibility.
see your doctor whatever