Biomechanics and index finger tendonitis

[Jim Pollard]

Over the past few months I've had some issues with aching pain in my picking hand. It started when I was playing even more than usual getting ready for a specific gig. It doesn't stop me from playing but it's made me very aware of stretching my hands and fingers. I have had to switch to using a felt pick when I play bass though for the time being. It occurred to me last night that this also occurred when I changed my playing position somewhat, moving closer to the guitar so that I could better access the RKL which I had recently begun using more. What I'm wondering is if there is a standard method of setting up to play from a biomechanical perspective? For instance my finger pain would cease if I just moved a few inches forward, or back, left, right. Anybody else already fought this fight? Or is it so personal a thing you just have to discover it for yourself?

[Dennis Montgomery]

While I've never experienced tendonitis in my fingers, I've dealt with tendonitis in my forearms since a work injury back in the early 90's. You likely won't want to hear this - and I hate having to give this advice because I fight taking it myself - if playing triggers tendonitis, you shouldn't be doing any playing until it fully heals. RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is your best friend and can help you recover much quicker than doing nothing. And whatever you do, don't make the mistake I made and rub the painful area down with Icy-Hot or some other topical and play anyway...you'll be seriously injuring yourself even worse and won't even know it. Once you get back to a pain free state (which for me is usually about 4 weeks of RICE but I'm a tendonitis repeat offender, your recovery time will hopefully be much less), then experiment with different picking hand positions until you find something that works.

The dangerous thing about tendonitis is it's easy to tell ourselves it's no big deal and keep playing through the pain. The problem is the longer you do that, the longer it will eventually take to heal and the more scar tissue that will form. The more scar tissue that forms, the easier it becomes to re-injure yourself...it's a nasty cycle to be stuck in.

Something I began doing a few years ago that has immensely helped keeping a relapse away is taking a daily dose of turmeric (preferably with ginger). It's a natural anti-inflammatory and gives your arms/fingers/whatever some extra protection from overuse

[Joseph Jennings]

Jim, I'm not expert but what kind of position is your wrist in while picking? I noticed i had a tendency to rest the heel of my palm on the bridge or cabinet while picking, I happened to remember messing around on a piano in high school and had my wrists down in a similar position. I was immediately corrected by a hot shot pianist and told to keep my wrists in line with my hands. Once I made a conscious effort to keep my wrists straight the pain went away.

[Jim Pollard]

Thanks for the advice Dennis. I am (and have been) taking a break from playing. Well.... since I got back from TSGA anyway. Sadly it's not the first time I've been down the road of tendonitis/bursitis/inflamed this or that from sports injuries over the years. And yes for sure in those cases I tried many many many times to just power on through things (it mostly doesn't work). Joseph, I think this is also part of the equation so I will definitely be breaking down my playing position.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Keeping the back of your hand in line with your fore arm takes a lot of pressure and drag off the tendons going through the carpel tunnel. It also takes less effort to open your fingers, To position a pick to hit a forward chosen string.

Bending the back of your hand 45 degrees to your fore arm. Give you more closing and holding power with your hand. But does not allow easy opening of the hand. Putting a drag on closing tendons in the carpel tunnel. .

I wonder if that was why some steel players put their E9th neck on the back neck, Was for hand and wrist comfort.