Full Version: Thumb Herts
Hi, I wanted some advice about my hand. When I play the piano, my left thumb hurts (right at the bottom, close to my wrist). Mostly when I'm playing Hanon. I don't have any problem these days when playing violin or guitar. Could anyone help me?
I have had that before, as a combination of using the mouse and playing with tensed arms and stiff wrists.
Right now, to protect my weaker right wrist, I wear a guard (thumb and wrist stabiliser) while typing at the computer.
Just curious, which Hanon exercise were you playing? I know that some of them require huge stretches, which might have strained your thumb and wrist.
If it hurts, please rest. You might have simply overstretched. Stop playing what hurts you, as it cannot do you anymore good. Tell your family that you are hurting. Your teacher would need to know as well, if he/she is open-minded enough to understand that you are not giving excuses.
If the pain does not go away even after resting the hand, go to a doctor. I went to one, and was diagnosed as simply fatigue from overuse of my hands. The pain went away with rest and massage
But the same pain comes back when I work for too long at the computer, and I have to resume the massage.
In the meantime, do read up on Repetitive Stress/Strain Injury (RSI).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury
You can type RSI in google and find out more.
Don't ignore your condition till it is too late. I have had a keyboard teacher who suddenly could not control her hands one day while conducting a class. Her right hand could not even turn a door knob when it happened. She has ignored the pain in her wrist for a very long time, and it has become so serious that she could not play the keyboard for some time. If she sought treatment earlier, it could have been as easy as ample rest and some massage to release the tension.
EDIT: Just in case you want to know what kind of guard I am using, this is the one:
http://redirect.futuro.com/products/show/845#
It offers some support, but is not a cure.
Right now, to protect my weaker right wrist, I wear a guard (thumb and wrist stabiliser) while typing at the computer.
Just curious, which Hanon exercise were you playing? I know that some of them require huge stretches, which might have strained your thumb and wrist.
If it hurts, please rest. You might have simply overstretched. Stop playing what hurts you, as it cannot do you anymore good. Tell your family that you are hurting. Your teacher would need to know as well, if he/she is open-minded enough to understand that you are not giving excuses.
If the pain does not go away even after resting the hand, go to a doctor. I went to one, and was diagnosed as simply fatigue from overuse of my hands. The pain went away with rest and massage
But the same pain comes back when I work for too long at the computer, and I have to resume the massage.In the meantime, do read up on Repetitive Stress/Strain Injury (RSI).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury
You can type RSI in google and find out more.
Don't ignore your condition till it is too late. I have had a keyboard teacher who suddenly could not control her hands one day while conducting a class. Her right hand could not even turn a door knob when it happened. She has ignored the pain in her wrist for a very long time, and it has become so serious that she could not play the keyboard for some time. If she sought treatment earlier, it could have been as easy as ample rest and some massage to release the tension.
EDIT: Just in case you want to know what kind of guard I am using, this is the one:
http://redirect.futuro.com/products/show/845#
It offers some support, but is not a cure.
Do use a computer alot? I had problems last year and switched to an ergonomic keyboard and a 'handshake' mouse. Let me know if you need details.
You must rest it until the pain goes away and then work out what you can do to stop it re-occurring by changing technique.
Good luck!
Dave.
You must rest it until the pain goes away and then work out what you can do to stop it re-occurring by changing technique.
Good luck!
Dave.
Thank you for the replies. I do use the computer. But I don't use it so much that I hurt my hands. I think it's nothing to do with the mouse, becouse my right hand never hurts. I'm left handed. Another thing I must say is haw my hand is feeling. I used the word hurt, but it's numb, stiff, not hurting, for a while. Making the stool taller made some difference. I'm about a 178cm tall, and I'm playing number 4 in Hanon now. I had a similar problem when I first started to play the guitar. Mostly because of the wide neck. I don't play the piano for more than a hour, but I play the guitar and the violin for at least an hour each.
Cut down on practice and stop playing Hanon till the pain is gone.
If you absolutely must use a computer mouse then re-educate yourself to uise it without using a flexion of the thumb joints to move it closer.
If reduced practice doesn't get rif of the pain in three or four days then stop altogether for two or three days, and stay away from computers and computer keyboards. If that doesn't work see your doctor.
When you start Hanon again don't simply bash through the exercises, but have a specific purpose for studying each one. And ensure (in the first 20 exercises) that you keep you arm free and adjust it for each note so that the finger playing the note is always aligned, as near as possible, with the axis of the forearm. Keep your fingersd close to the keys and aim for beautiful tone and rhythmic precision rather than just rattling through them at speed.
Have your teacher check out your technique when turning the thumb under in scales, arpeggios, exercises, and passage work in pieces.
Check that your wrist is high enough. Too low cramps the movement of the thumb and puts extra strain on the base joint when passing the thumb under. (But don't raise it so high that the thumb barely reaches the keys!)
If you absolutely must use a computer mouse then re-educate yourself to uise it without using a flexion of the thumb joints to move it closer.
If reduced practice doesn't get rif of the pain in three or four days then stop altogether for two or three days, and stay away from computers and computer keyboards. If that doesn't work see your doctor.
When you start Hanon again don't simply bash through the exercises, but have a specific purpose for studying each one. And ensure (in the first 20 exercises) that you keep you arm free and adjust it for each note so that the finger playing the note is always aligned, as near as possible, with the axis of the forearm. Keep your fingersd close to the keys and aim for beautiful tone and rhythmic precision rather than just rattling through them at speed.
Have your teacher check out your technique when turning the thumb under in scales, arpeggios, exercises, and passage work in pieces.
Check that your wrist is high enough. Too low cramps the movement of the thumb and puts extra strain on the base joint when passing the thumb under. (But don't raise it so high that the thumb barely reaches the keys!)
Take a look at this website, lots of advice and exercises for musicians http://www.bapam.org.uk/index.php
They are currently helping my daughter and have been great!
They are currently helping my daughter and have been great!
that happened to me - it was tendonitis.
take care.
x
take care.
x
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