Tendons

[Mikefule]

I've had a painful tendon on my right wrist for a few years - a legacy of a three year period of fencing (foil and epée) two or three nights a week. That pain is on the outside of my wrist, and I think it's the tendon that works the little finger.

 

A year into playing Anglo, I'm getting similar pains in my left wrist as well. I guess it's all the work that little finger does playing the basses. Is this common? Is there a cure, or a method of prevention (other than not playing)? Am I doomed?

[Jim Besser]

I've had a painful tendon on my right wrist for a few years - a legacy of a three year period of fencing (foil and epée) two or three nights a week. That pain is on the outside of my wrist, and I think it's the tendon that works the little finger.

 

A year into playing Anglo, I'm getting similar pains in my left wrist as well. I guess it's all the work that little finger does playing the basses. Is this common? Is there a cure, or a method of prevention (other than not playing)? Am I doomed?

 

Not if you take care of it.

 

See a doctor. Get physical therapy. Stretch before playing and between tunes. Do the wrist/arm exercises prescribed by the professionals.

 

I've been fighting tendon trouble to a draw for years, but I have to constantly work at it.