I noticed that a number of folks have this issue with their strumming/picking arm, but I am getting it in my left/fretting arm. I suspect it is a sign I am doing something wrong, or at least could be holding my arm in a better position. Do other players have this problem, or had it and know what to do to fix it?
If it matters, I am playing a Strat. I find playing standing up helps my accuracy. Sitting might help my pain - not certain - but makes my playing suffer.
I will add that driving my vehicle with my arm in the air also agrivates it (both arms).
Hi Brett, I’m sorry to hear you’re having elbow pain. I’m in the strumming wrist pain camp, and just had a cortisone injection today after over 3 months of serious discomfort. So while I don’t have anything specific to say about your elbow, I can share what I learned:
You are wise to address this at the outset. I had a bit of discomfort while playing for a couple of months and didn’t pay much attention. Then it suddenly became constant, and interfered with everything I do with my right wrist. Don’t let this happen to you!
Consider posting photos of yourself here on the Community. Folks may notice something obvious that you are missing, and suggest possible remedies.
My pain (technically De Quervain Tenosynovitis) is definitely caused by bad technique. I had been working on technique, and thought I was addressing the issues. I wasn’t. If you can, find an in-person teacher to help identify what’s going on with you. In my experience, working with someone online isn’t sufficient because they cannot detect the more subtle things that might be causing the pain.
Hope you find the source(s) of your discomfort soon, and before it becomes chronic!
Sorry to hear about your tennis elbow. I know it’s a pain, I’ve had it in my fretting arm before - twice. Both times I pushed through it until I couldn’t do anything at all with it and had to rest it completely…for a long time. So don’t do that
Mine was most likely from gripping / squeezing the neck and pressing too hard on the strings. I started learning on an old, very badly set-up acoustic guitar and developed the habit. It took a lot of conscious practice to break it. But I haven’t had the pain since.
Maybe some tension release / stretching in the back, shoulders and neck might help too, and checking you don’t have any nerve compression. I have no qualifications but that’s my experience.
I agree with all the points that Judi made too, and maybe posting some photos here, or seeing someone in person.
I don’t know if that helps any, but I hope you get some relief from it soon
If you post a video of you playing then perhaps one of the teachers @Richard_close2u or @LievenDV can have a look and comment on your hand and arm position.
Also tenis elbow is a specific medical condition and because you have pain in your fretting arm, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s tenis elbow. You might want to see a doctor and get a correct diagnosis first then do some physio before it gets worse.
I would second that. Should you carry on playing with this condition it may damage your arm to the point of not being able to play for quite some time. That is not a good outcome.
Sounds like an issue that needs some attention indeed.
It is probably at a phase where slight correction and some exercises will be sufficiant.
A recordings or pictures of you playing can help to assess it but as mentioned, best to have it checked.
What also intrigues me is that standig up helpds you accuracy, as most people saythe opposite. That might suspect there is a combo of posture issue and physical complaint going on
Hello BrettsStrat. You’re not alone. Many string instrument players, including myself have had this issue. Mine was in my right elbow. Very painful and constant for a few days. I relaxed while playing more and that helped. Mine came on one day after practicing various stringed instruments for full days, 8 hours at least, after 2 or 3 of those in a row. It subsided after a while now fortunately. I just kept at it, put a bandage on it and muscle spray to ease the pain, especially at night for sleeping and it’s gone now. That was back in April of this year I had it and now it’s mid-June. It only lasted a week at most if I recall correctly.
You have to give it a long rest and do some physical therapy to sort it out. Work on picking hand stuff till the fretting hand heals. When you are fully back to playing, warm up before picking up guitar, warm up with the guitar, do things which cause more fatigue closer to the end of the session. Your fretting hand position is very important to avoid injuries, keep flat wrist, use lighter grip (just enough to sound the notes, not more), make pauses, shake hands every 5-10 minutes, dont overdo finger strength/hard exercises which cause discomfort. Be careful. Give it time to heal, long time if needed.
