Combination of constant typing (I'm writing a lot at the moment - unavoidable) and guitar / cello practise - seems to have given me a touch of tendinitis in my left forearm. Not severe yet, but definitely a slight burning ache on the inside of my wrist, running down the tendon to my elbow. Any helpful tips? I don't especially want to stop practising entirely, and I can't stop typing (phd due in in four weeks).

Stop practicing your music and sort your Phd out first..... The instruments will still be parked up where you left them after you've completed the Phd. You've got the rest of your life to sort out your musical ambitions and you can pick your own times to be ready for music exams. Read up on a bit of theory maybe?

urgh, need my guitar for relaxation. I'm one of those people who needs to be doing something. So when I watch tv even, I'm often playing the guitar, or knitting, or something.

I could play the trombone, I guess, but it's not quite so relaxing, and you can't do it in front of the telly... Or at midnight....

Meerkat, is there anyone to whom you could dictate any of your thesis to reduce the typing you need to do?

Sadly no. And in common with lots of other students these days, I've developed that ability to 'think into' a computer - other formats are hard. It's not bad today. End of last night I could feel it. Maybe it was just a passing ache. I've not taken any pain killers, as I kind of want to know if it's happening. If it gets any worse, I'll see if the doctor recommends a strap. I had these kinds of problems during pregnancy, and I reckon it's a revisit.

Meerkat - I would cut down on the playing - especially barre chords on the guitar and use a bag of frozen peas or similar wrapped in a towel to soothe affected area for 10 minutes at a time

Physio and massagre are also options but expensive

Work on the PhD and the singing (I don't think you need move your arms much for that...).

What's the PhD on, by the way?

Meerkat: Do you type or do you beat the living daylights out of the keyboard? I find if I'm working on a long writing job (a week or more) I have to force myself to ease off, or my hands start to hurt.

Also - you could try one of those keyboards that are split in two so they have two blocks of keys which are aligned with your wrists. They look as though Dali designed them. They take a bit of getting used to but they can help...

lol I touch type. I'm rather quick, but my touch is fairly light. I do work mostly on a laptop, and I don't think it's great for RSI. It has one of those touch mouse-pads in the middle, and using it repeatedly definitely creates strain because of the odd angle.

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions.

It's not bad at all today. More like an awareness of a bit of my body that I usually take for granted rather than actual pain. Tony, you're right, it's definitely the barre that does it. Some pieces also hurt more than others (the Loure I'm learnng at the minute makes me feel like a contortionist).

I think that touch pad could be it. Buying a mouse could be an option to reduce pain. I myself hate touch pads because they are in the center and so uncomfortable to use. I hardly get any pain. Probably because I have always used a mouse. It kind of frees your right hand to move around in a comfortable manner. You can find all kinds of shapes and sizes to meet your size of hand, and the mobility you want from it, from the computer shop. Hope that helps.

Meerkat re barre chords

Some possible ideas to check out

1 Action on your guitar - how high is it - have you had it lowered or checked out by a luthier
2 Barre chords - thumb placement - are you placing your thumb in the right place when playing chords or difficult passages Might be worthwhile checking in a mirror - or getting a guitarist friend to check yout
There is a very usual set of teaching aids published by Scott Tennant called Pumping Nylon which looks at hand placement - there is a series of books and a DVD - he goes on at great length about a straight wrist and the benefits it gives to good technique and proper painfree playing

Apologies if stating the bleeding obvious