Guitar Forums

I'd been playing a lot of music with fast powerchords, and was getting a pain in my elbow when playing, but it usually went away afterwards so I ignored it, then a few weeks ago, it didn't go away and got worse.

Physio diagnosed tennis elbow (quite ironic after a life time of riding horses I get a tendon injury from playing the guitar LOL!)

There is a quite a bit of stuff on the net abut guitar and RSI, so just wanted to say if you do start getting discomfort while playing, don't ignore it...

I'm playing bits at the moment, and building it back up again slowly, although at least Apache (my horse) is enjoying the break...

As a very good friend of mine once said "pain is a friend it reminds you, you are alive".

I play all the time with pain in my left hand, however I believe it is making it stronger as my body try,s to repair my hand stronger then it was before. I do also believe that at times your body does require rest to do the repair work.

I should mention I was attacked by a dog when working as Post man which left my left hand with 56 stitches and 16 broken bones.

If you do ever feel pain when playing guitar you should act on it right away. There should be no pain with playing. Maybe sore fingers but that is it.

Warm up correctly and if you feel pain - stop playing and reassess your technique. I have heard of lots of players not being able to play any longer because of injuries

Thanks Olly - think I was skipping the warm up, am being much more careful now

James - Ouch! sounds like one viscous dog!