What's a "Carpal Tunnel"?

Richard Shelley · Post by **Richard Shelley** » 8 Jan 2002 2:33 pm

Have played (& loved) guitar for over 45 years, but only within the last six months did I get gutsy enough to actually buy a pedal steel & begin attempting to devote what spare time I'm able to squeeze out of an already full schedule to learning to play this absolutely marvelous instrument which I've also been in love with the sound of, for as long as I can remember.

Was recently diagnosed with CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) & have been attempting to determine what might have brought it on. Anyone had any experience with CTS being brought on by playing either guitar or PSG?

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Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 8 Jan 2002 2:40 pm

That is when you get scar tissue around the area where the nerves that runs thourgh your wrist to your hand and FINGERS. Kinda like cramping the nerve in the little hole it runs through. Common cause, repatisous (sp?) work, like typing, putting parts in a bag all day, etc.[This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 08 January 2002 at 02:41 PM.]

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 8 Jan 2002 3:35 pm

Like Steven said, repitition of doing something can cause this. Although that is a common cause, it doesn't have to be cause by repetitive motion. My wife is a nurse, and she had to have operations in both wrists for CTS. Her job is not necessarily a repetitive motion situation.

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Richard Sinkler

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 8 Jan 2002 5:45 pm

Like Richard said, some people are just prone to having it. Before any operations happen, there are exercises that can help and often get it under control. Surgery is a last resort, they do one hand at a time for obvious sanatary needs, etc. and it can be pretty painful for a while. Check with your DR and get the exercises, wearing a wrist support at night can help, the one with the metal thing in it.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 8 Jan 2002 9:22 pm

I seem to recall that Paul Franklin had surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome a few years ago. Am I mistaken?

The awkward position of the right hand can cause repetitive stress disorders. I had a shoulder cramp for about 6 months that was caused by doing a variety of activities, including steel playing, that required me to raise my right shoulder. I gradually worked my way through it, changing to different positions in each of the activities, but it really made me aware of the problems that repetitive stress can cause.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
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Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 8 Jan 2002 10:36 pm

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a numbness in the hand caused by the compression of a nerve in the wrist. Repetitive motion in the wrist can cause internal swelling which results in numbness or tingling in the thumb and next 2 or 3 fingers of 1 or both hands. Read all about it HERE.

I had a real problem with this back in the 80's when I was playing 7 nights a week. My "bar hand" would go numb half-way through every song during the night. I had to drop my hand down by my side to stop my fingers from tingling. It was a frightening experience. The solution... play less and wear a wrist brace as much as possible. Some people opt to have the surgery... I didn't.

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[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 08 January 2002 at 10:42 PM.]

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 9 Jan 2002 12:49 am

I've frequently heard of it in relation to guitar playing. I believe Waylon had operations on both wrists for it a few years ago. The first time I ever heard of it was from Leo Kottke (acoustic 12-string player, for those who don't know) who got it quite badly, and *his* solution was to stop using fingerpicks/thumbpick... FWIW, YMMV, etc...
Nick

Bill Nauman · Post by **Bill Nauman** » 9 Jan 2002 6:50 am

Doug,thanks for the info ..my left hand goes to sleep all the time...some days no problem. I did two gigs in December and had no problem but sometimes it is bad..catch myself shaking left hand to regain circulation. Bill in Vegas

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 9 Jan 2002 8:01 am

Bill, The wrist brace really helped me. It's just an ace bandage with a curved metal piece inside of that keeps the hand / wrist in one position. A velcro strip holds it tight. You can buy them at any large discount pharmacy. The doctor told me to wear the brace at night when I sleep, and throughout the day, whenever possible. Using the brace and cutting down on my playing took care of the problem.

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Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 9 Jan 2002 8:12 am

Try the wrist brace, the fact that your hand (S?) are like "asleep" or tingly are the ususal signs. If you are lucky, you can get away with wearing it or two if both are doing it at night. If you don't work, try 'em all day.

P Perry · Post by **P Perry** » 9 Jan 2002 10:57 am

CTS is a problem that can plague all musicians because repetative motion can cause and most definitely agitate the problem. See a good hand surgeon with a good reputation. He will have some tests done to determine the condition as well as the severity of it. If you have CTS, certain exercizes can offer relief. If surgery is eminent do not fear it. It is a short and simple proceedure for an experienced surgeon. Then follow his instructions to a tee. I had double CTS surgery in May of 2001 and was playing steel guitar 3 hours a day 8 days later with no discomfort. My doctor stated that his skills had little to do with a speedy recovery, that a patients attitude toward sucessful recovery is the greatest influence. You just can't keep a steel player down.
God Bless
Phil Perry

Richard Shelley · Post by **Richard Shelley** » 9 Jan 2002 3:21 pm

Wow! Thanks so much for all the great info & advice, fellas; Very insightful. Okay, if it's the price to pay for enjoying a wonderful instrument, then so be it, I guess. The little bit of pain & discomfort (even if surgery is required) could never compare to the joys of making beautiful (or, in my case, maybe "semi-beautiful") sounds!

BMI (Beck Musical Instruments) D-10

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Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 10 Jan 2002 9:13 am

Forum members, take this as a very humble opinion - YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!

A very simple yoga excercise alleviated (and continues to hold at bay) all my symptoms of carpal tunnel.

Maybe it wasn't CP - but what has been described here is the pain and numbness I was feeling. My yoga instructor said it was indeed CP.

Do not ask me to describe the excercise, because there is no way to describe it, and I certainly want to see no damage caused by doing the exercise improperly. The technique must be demonstrated and taught by a qualified yoga instructor. My instructor was taught by an instructor at the local YMCA. Check your phone book if interested, and DO SOME RESEARCH!

Good Luck,

Mike McGee

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 20 Jan 2002 10:03 pm

Isn't that where more than two occupants are required by law to be in the vehicle before it goes into the tunnel?

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 21 Jan 2002 7:18 am

Ray...you're thinking of Car Pool Tunnel.
Carpel Tunnel is a French word describing an underwater tunnel inwhich carp spawn.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 21 Jan 2002 11:52 am

Thanks so very much Dennis. Now that I'm informed.......I feel better all over!

*I plan on living forever.... so far, so good.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 21 Jan 2002 12:57 pm

Genetic intellejunce runs in the family. My mom was a Bodene.