Mr. Tabs
patreon
Update on my Back/Wrist issues
🕑 Added 2023-07-07 14:57:13 +0000 UTCHey guys! Before I post my next video, I just wanted to fill you all in on what's been happening the past few months with regards to the issues that I've been experiencing with my back and wrist.
For those unaware, It was shortly after the Sweet Child video that I started experiencing pain in my wrist. I couldn't twist a doorknob or bend up on a string. So I had to stop playing guitar. Thereafter, I started experiencing really bad back pain and I've always had issues with my spine with there is reduced disk space. And I just kind of lived with it. But my back pain was never this bad. So I seen a doctor who prescribed me Voltarin for my wrist and advised me to purchase a splint to mobilize my hand. It wasn't determined if I had Carpal Tunnel or Tendonitis. We just had to rule it out. I was also advised to go to physiotherapy a few times a week for my back/wrist issues.
At physio, I was given a list of stretches to do which I stuck to every day for about a half hour. My physiotherapist also advised me get an ergonomically friendly chair and desk because of my poor posture every day. During my work hours, I was basically sitting on a stool staring down at my laptop. This was not good for my back. I invested in a new chair and desk. Now I sit upright and stare straight ahead which makes a big difference. The wrist stretches helped relieve me of my wrist pain somewhat. I was also applying heat and ice. When I did the In Bloom video, I thought that I was relieved enough to play. The next day, my wrist issues came back and it was like starting over again. It was very frustrating but I continued to work on it. And I stopped playing guitar again for some time after that. This was when Jason stepped in for NIB and Air. Which bought me some time because view counts go down on the YouTube page when there is inactivity and this affects growth of the page. I was very stressed out because my issues were slowing me down. I'm very thankful that Jason was there to do his thing.
After a couple of weeks, I was still feeling pain in my wrist. And no calls from the doctor because I was supposed to get an ultrasound. So I decided that I was going to learn how to play through my wrist issues. The wrist stretches before playing helped me with this and I was very surprised at what I could do. Even though there was pain, especially with bending and vibrato. At this point, I released the Brothers in Arms video (an easier song) and I was very pleased with the outcome. I felt like the pain was actually starting to slowly go away after playing guitar again! I was applying heat and ice every day and putting my hand in a splint at night because my fingers would sometimes be dead when I woke up. And I would not miss a single day without the stretches.
While Jason was working on Dee, I made a risky choice by choosing the Paradise City remake video. Because we all know how technically demanding the outro of the song is. My wrist was about 95% healed during the recording sessions for this video and I was so paranoid that I would wake up the next day back to square one. But thankfully not and my wrist continued to heal!
My back problems even went away and I no longer wake up with a bad back. The ergonomically friendly chair, new desk, and exercises helped me so much and I have to thank my physiotherapist for this.
And I have to thank you guys for your support throughout. While view counts and everything go down on the YouTube page when there is some inactivity, the Patreon page is here to keep things going for me financially and I honestly can't thank you enough for remaining subscribed.
So as of today, I'm feeling like my wrist has completely healed and this is very relieving for me. Because I was worried that I might have to get surgery and there would be more delays with my page. But I can honestly say that through recording sessions of the upcoming Megadeth song, I had 0 issues.
Again, thank you guys for your support. I'm not sure how many of you out there will read this, but just know that I'm thankful for your contribution in helping to keep the Mr. Tabs YT page alive. 😊
And on to the next video! 👊
Comments
Mark Newell
Glad to hear you are on the mend. I know firsthand what that feels like. Your issues sound a lot like what I have been battling, especially over the last few years. It took a while but I finally learned I had cervical spinal stenosis - fingertips felt slightly numb sometimes, a lot of pain in my thumbs joints, pain in the wrists and the day after playing for an hour or so, I'd have pain under my shoulder blades and my hands were stiff and achy. After figuring out that the issue was actually stenosis, not necessarily arthritis, I found more targeted exercises and stopped doing some exercises that I was doing which weren't recommended for someone with stenosis. I have noticed real improvement that has lasted much longer than the steroid injections I had done. You might consider having an MRI to find out if you might have stenosis. Disc compression can certainly contribute to that issue. Anyway, again, glad to hear you are feeling better and hopefully you can find long term relief.
Andrea
I'm happy for you👍🏻
Raymond Geraghty
Good to hear ur doing better. All thanks to god
Tom A.
Good to know that you’re feeling better. Rock on!
Paul Schaeffer
Thank God your feeling better keep up the great work !
Martin Johnson
Patrick, I'm sorry to hear about your wrist and back troubles. I hope you don't push yourself too hard. We need you, get back to 100%. I wish you the best. You are an amazing guitarist. Take care. 🤙👏👍
Dazza
I ask as I broke the last two bones in my left index finger, and the end of my thumb in same accident. Most likely the worst bones to break as main two used by fretting hand if right handed. Exercises may prove useful. Slow healing process means no guitar for 6+ months! :(
Patrick Dwyer
Same thing happened to me one time. I had to play a gig that night without my index finger. It would bleed every time I used it. I put a bandaid on the very tip and played with it on there. I was forming open chords alternate ways, it was messed up. It did bleed at times, but I had to pull through. That is such a difficult situation because you'll be losing out on the pay if you can't play the gigs. I hope it will heal in time for you and that it works out either way.
Patrick Dwyer
Absolutely. Great idea!
Jan
Thank you for these insights. Good to hear that you are back and that you overcame these health issues. A few days ago I cut my fingertip of the left middle finger with a knife. Just a minor issue, but I can't play, it starts bleeding. I was wondering what a professional player who has scheduled gigs would do? Cancel everything?
Dazza
Good to know your problems have mostly been resolved for you. Are the exercises something that could be shared on here?
Hiroshi Kurosaka
Back pain, wrist pain, or any type of pain sucks. I hope for your full recovery and longevity as a musician.
Ben Hooper
Good to hear you are feeling on the mend! Now get into that new Metallica Album for us man!
Kev RB
Great work, being so strict with yourself and diligent with your stretches and exercises has paid off.
Jasinhbca
Thanks for the update. Great news you're feeling better !
Mirza Kolakovic
Glad you fixed it!! Maybe do a video and share your exercise regiment.
David Sawyer
Our thoughts and prayers worked. Good to have you back.
James
Glad to hear it!
Jim Coyle
That’s great news mate👍🏻
Nikolay Burghardt
Take care an go on again. You are the best in your work and it's good to hear that your are 100 % fit and we can follow ip your teaching and tricks.
RealGoodMind
So happy that you are healing and back to it. This is the BEST tab page on the internets. It's great you have a patreon because more need to support this type of work instead of paying $19 a month for some dumb tab app. Thank you for all your work and Jason's excellent job as well
Pablo Alava
Dude, back pain can be debilitating. I'm glad that's gone. I'm glad you're doing better.
Jon Ostrander
I'm glad u are feeling better and keep up the good work.
