Guitar Wrist Pain
All serious musicians run the risk of developing pain in various parts of their bodies. That can include back pain from sitting or standing in a particular position, elbow pain from holding arms at a particular angle, or wrist pain from bending the wrist or making repetitive motions with fingers. Guitar players, especially professional players, can suffer wrist pain from their hand that forms chords on the guitar's neck (that is the left hand for right-handed players or the right hand for left-handed players).
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Wrist Pain Causes
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Performing on the guitar requires the player to bend the wrist around the neck to place fingers on the guitar's fretboard. The fingers must press on the strings with sufficient force to play notes clearly. When the tendons in the wrists are not strong and flexible, injury can result. Certain guitar chords also require a wide stretch between the index finger and the pinky finger, and those put considerable pressure on the tendons and muscle of those fingers. "Repetitive Strain Injury" (RSI) can occur when muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands are required to make repetitive movements that put strain on muscles and tendons.
Exercise Can Help Prevent Problems
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Just as runners or any other athletes must "warm up" by stretching their leg muscles before running, doing a few warm up exercises with the hands may also help eliminate wrist pain for guitarists. Squeeze a rubber ball a few times (do not do this if you are in pain, as it may make the pain worse---this is only to be done for prevention). Stretch your fingers for a few minutes before beginning to play.
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Build Muscles
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Injuries may be prevented by exercising wrist and forearm muscles. Hold a light (less than 1 pound) dumbbell in each hand and move your wrists back and forth for several minutes a day to build the muscles that will be used to play the guitar.
Take Frequent Breaks
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Every 20 minutes or so of playing, take a few minutes for a break. Shake your hand as if throwing water off of it. Get up from your chair and walk to get a drink of water. Stretch your fingers. Keep a check on your posture as you play.
Hold The Guitar Differently
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Don't grip the guitar's neck too tightly. Bring your wrist well around to the front of the neck, so that your fingers can easily reach all of the strings. Try rising the guitar's neck by either tilting the neck upward (rather than keeping it horizontal) or by shortening the neck strap. If you play without a strap, consider adding one to hold the guitar in place and to take some pressure off your wrist.
Easing The Pain
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Should you experience wrist pain, stop playing immediately. Place an ice pack on your hand for 20 minutes, then remove it for 20 minutes, and back on again if needed. That will reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory, over-the-counter medicines including Advil and Motrin may be taken in servere cases. Give your wrist several days to recover.
When you start playing again, play for a shorter length of time, and over the next few days slowly build back up to your normal length of playing time. A wrist support from your local drug store my help immobilize the joint for a few days to allow time for healing.
If the problem persists, consider being seen by a reflexologist; they not only work on feet but also on hands.
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