Mr. Tabs
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My Daily Routine for overcoming Carpal Tunnel, Flexor Tendonitis, and Back Pain
🕑 Added 2023-07-28 18:23:21 +0000 UTCHi everyone! Just recently, a Patron requested for me to share this and I thought it was a great idea. Just in case somebody out there might be dealing with similar problems and may find this post helpful. By doing what you see in the attached pictures daily, I have avoided surgery.
In the first picture (and I hope this corresponds with my attachments), I am using an Elissa Arm Heating pad which cost me about $130. My physio therapist recommended this and I purchased it from Amazon. It works really well because with a regular heating pad, you have to go through the annoyance of literally keeping it on your arm. With this heating pad, you can wear it and forget that it's there for about 10-15 minutes or so. And I wore this infrequently during the day.
In the second picture, I am using a Comfpack ice pack to apply to my wrist directly after using the heating pad. Heat and Ice was recommended and with this type of ice pack, once again, you can wear it. Well worth the investment for me because as in the same scenario as the heating pad, I didn't have to literally keep an ice pack in the one spot with my right hand for an extended period of time. I spent $25-30 on Amazon not to do so and I am really glad that I did π. Again, I wore this ice pad off and on during the day.
In the 3rd picture, I am using a split to immobilize my wrist. Before going to bed, I would rub Voltarin on my wrist as recommend by my family doctor. And I would wear this splint which I purchased for $30 at my local pharmacy. Because before that, I would wake up just about every morning and 3 fingers in my hand would be dead - the same kind of feeling as sleeping on your hand. Just from swollen tendons compressing a nerve in my wrist. The splint really helped even though my hand would be a little numb in the morning. But exercises would cure this.
Which brings me to the last pictures and there are quite a few of them. The PhysiApp! This is where I kept track of my daily exercises for my Back/Hand stretches. And was recommended by my local Physiotherapy centre, ProActive. I took screenshots of the different stretches that I do daily. And I believe this app is free. These pictures of course are just still shots. In each of these exercises within the App, there is a video demonstration which is very helpful.
Of course, I cannot stress enough thanks for your support in keeping this page active. And it is with your support that I was able to invest in the things to combat my issues and get back to playing guitar. So I kindly and gratefully thank you all for that.
I still keep up with this (though not as intensely) and I hope my issues do not return. And if they do, then I will combat it again with determination! π. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I will gladly address.
Cheers!
Comments
Brian Stolte
This is great, thanks for sharing. I have similar problems with my left hand. I've been wearing a brace at night when I sleep which helps a ton. Going to try out some of the other things you have here. Thank you!
Patrick Dwyer
6 weeks recovery is not too bad. If it means not having to deal with it ever again. My wifeβs sister had carpal tunnel surgery also. She said she lost a bit of strength in her hand after the surgery and healing process, but itβs not an issue for her. Best of luck with it all Stover!
Patrick Dwyer
Thanks Sean! Much appreciated buddy π€
Stover Babcock
Thanks for sharing. I had Carpal Tunnel surgery on my left hand last year and possibly having my right hand done soon. Recovery for the left hand was ~6 weeks and has been problem free for the most part. Left hand still goes numb after playing for an hour so its time.
Sean James Fahey
You're doing really well and I hope you the best π€
Patrick Dwyer
Happy to share!
Patrick Dwyer
Itβs common amongst us guitarists definitely. Especially at middle age. It really is such a hindrance. Especially when itβs something that you love to do. I wish you all the best with it.
Mirza Kolakovic
Thanks for sharing!! That's some good info.
Robin Stehwien
Thanks for the info! I have some similar issues with hand pain.
