tenosynovitis

DavidRees

tenosynovitis - particularly in your plucking hand. over the last week I've had a burst of enthusiasm and have been doing a short daily programme of exercises to build back my fingerstyle chops. nothing too strenuous but this morning I have woken up with pain in my right hand which seems to display all the symptoms. other than rest, ice and painkillers does the wisdom of the Fretboard have any advice or experiences they would like to share? many thanks

CarpeDiem

I would stop playing guitar or doing anything else that causes pain. It would be worth seeing your GP to get the cause diagnosed and appropriate treatment. Hopefully, it’s just a case of overplaying this week. 

p90fool

I suffered for years with tenosynovitis and still have to be a bit careful, but actually got rid of it completely in 2006 by buying some drum sticks and practicing drum rudiments. 

Obviously that's not going to work in every case, but it highlighted how you can often exercise away these things rather than just take the standard advice of total inactivity. 

Bigsby

If you can, find a local physiotherapist who specialises in hands. I saw one recently for trigger finger, and went through exercises for recovery, and then for strengthening and warming up. The daily exercises took about 20 minutes, twice a day. I'll be keeping the exercises going, especially as a warm up for any longish periods of playing. You're asking a lot of your fingers when playing guitar, so it makes total sense to look after them - as with all health issues, you only appreciate it when it's lost.