Nightflying: The Entertainment Guide

Our topic this time is (or should be) very important to everyone who plays an instrument. This is a rerun from several years ago, but I still receive email asking questions to this effect. We’re going to discuss common injuries that occur in musicians.

Lots of musicians have heard of repetitive strain injuries (also known as RSI’s), but are not really sure what they are, their causes, or whether or not to worry about them. Some of the more common examples of RSI’s include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis/bursitis, and tenosynovitis (trigger finger). Since the vast majority of musicians are not professionally trained, many simply don’t know what their bodies may be trying to tell them.
What I’ll attempt to do is provide a general description of each of these conditions and offer some ways you can treat or prevent them altogether.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is one of the most common diseases suffered by anyone performing repetitive tasks (i.e. typing, factory line production, playing guitar, playing piano, etc.).
The wrist is surrounded by a band of fibrous tissue that normally functions as a support for the joint. The tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone is called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to reach the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the hand. Any condition that causes swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel can squeeze and irritate the median nerve. Irritation of the median nerve in this manner causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers, a condition known as "carpal tunnel syndrome."

Initial symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness and tingling in the fingers. It may be a temporary condition that completely goes away or it can continue and increase.

If untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause burning sensations, or cramping and weakness of the hand. Decreased grip strength can lead to frequent dropping of objects from the hand. Occasionally, sharp, shooting pains can be felt in the forearm.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and their underlying cause. Short-term relief can be achieved by applying ice to the affected area (15 minutes on/30 minutes off, repeat), or by wearing a wrist brace. If your symptoms persist, you should see your doctor.
Source: Medicine Net

Tendinitis/Bursitis
Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are the thick fibrous cords that attach muscles to bone. They function to transmit the power generated by a muscle contraction to move a bone.

Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa. Bursae are small sacs located between bone and other moving structures such as muscles, skin or tendons. The bursa allows smooth gliding between these structures.

Symptoms of bursitis and tendinitis are similar: pain and stiffness aggravated by movement. The pain may be more prominent at night. Almost any tendon or bursa in the body can be affected, but those located around a joint are affected most often. Tendinitis and bursitis are usually temporary conditions, but may become recurrent or chronic problems. Unlike arthritis, they do not cause deformity, but can restrain motion.

The most common cause of tendinitis and bursitis is injury or overuse during work or play.

Treatment of these two conditions is based on the underlying cause. In overuse or injury, reduction or avoidance of a particular activity is useful. Proper positioning during offending activities is important to prevent recurrent injury. An adequate warm-up before and correct posture during exercise is useful. Splinting the affected area, applying moist heat, or sometimes ice, and using other form of physical therapy are helpful. Anti-inflammatory medications reduce inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid injections into the affected area are frequently helpful.
Source: The American College of Rheumatology

Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is also known as trigger finger. Trigger finger (medically termed stenosing tenosynovitis) is a "snapping" of any of the digits of the hand when opened or closed. It is caused by local swelling from inflammation or scarring around the tendons that normally pull the affected digit inward toward the palm (flexion).
The symptoms of trigger finger or thumb include pain and a funny clicking sensation when the finger or thumb is bent. Pain usually occurs when the finger or thumb is bent and straightened. Tenderness usually occurs at the bottom of the finger or thumb.

Stretching, ice, and anti-inflammation treatments can be helpful. Most patients respond to a local cortisone injection around the affected tendon. When trigger fingers persist, surgical procedures to remove the inflamed or scarred tissue can be beneficial.
Source: Medical Multimedia Group

Some advice on avoiding injuries like these:

Eat healthy. Taco Bell is not one of the food groups. Healthy bodies require healthy fuel.

Listen to your body. If you experience pain while or after you play, it may be trying to warn you.

Drink plenty of water. Muscles are mostly water - beer is NOT. Seriously, plenty of aqua reduces your risk of injury.

Take more breaks. 5 - 10 minutes every 45 minutes is sometimes all your body needs.

Don’t suddenly extend your practice time. This is a good way to strain yourself.

Be mindful of your playing conditions. Colder temperatures increase the risk of repetitive injury, due to decreased blood flow.

Prepare your body before playing. Don’t hit the stage cold.

Warm up. Wiggle your fingers. Kiss your girlfriend. Whatever it takes!

The following is a list of some warning signs no musician should ignore. Please seek the advice of your physician if you notice any of these.
    1.    Pain while (or after) playing or practicing
    2.    Tingling, numbing or burning sensations in the
           hands or feet
    3.    Weakness in the hands or grip
    4.    Coldness in the fingers while playing (more than
           usual)
    5.    Constant pain or soreness in arm or forearm
            muscles
    6.    Restricted motion (stiffness) in the neck, shoulder or
           arm

Next time, we’ll have a rerun (by request) on protecting your hearing. Until then, feel free to contact me with topic suggestions or questions by e-mail at jennifer@doghouse1.com.

E-mail to: jennifer@doghouse1.com.

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