Guitar Health Part 1
Date 2005/8/27 21:42:50 | Topic: Health
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Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
By Gary Allen
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome- Almost everyone has heard of carpel tunnel these days. More than likely you know someone who has had it. Carpel tunnel is the swelling of the tissue around the median nerve which runs through the carpel tunnel. The carpel tunnel is formed by the bones and ligaments in your wrist. When the tissues in around or in your carpel 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 carpel 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 carpel 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 carpel 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 carpel tunnel. Some of the steps we can take to help prevent carpel 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 carpel 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.
Gary Allen
gary@guitargearheads.com
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