Tips to Avoid the Tennis Elbow Blues
Pain is something that most great blues guitarists sing about. However, the feelings expressed by these artists do not normally stem from physical pain in playing their instrument, rather from their songs and experiences. That is not to say that suffering cannot begin with the instrument itself. If a musician is putting in too many hours, the act of playing itself can cause repetitive strain injuries. One common complaint is tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is inflammation, soreness, or pain in the elbow due to repetitive activity. Small tears develop in the forearm tendons leading to pain and weakness where they attach to the bony part of the elbow. Sometimes the pain radiates into the forearm and wrist.
This condition may make it difficult to shake hands, turn a door knob, hold a cup of coffee, or play your instrument. Though many tennis players do suffer from this condition, this injury also affects plumbers, typists, cooks, and of course, guitarists, and other instrumentalists.
Preventative measures for musicians include consistently warming up and stretching before beginning a practice session or performance, and taking frequent breaks to stretch and move your arms.
If you are already experiencing the pain of this problem, it might be a good time to check your technique and to reflect on the amount of time spent playing to determine if a change is necessary. Play in front of the mirror to review your form, or ask a teacher or experienced player to critique your playing posture. Keep a record of the length and frequency of playing sessions and breaks to understand when you experience pain.
Initial treatment can be as simple as resting the arm and taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Another home remedy is to apply ice to the sore elbow a few times a day. You can even purchase a specialized “tennis elbow ice wrap.” Beyond these simple treatments, it may be best to contact a doctor for advice about exercises or occupational therapy.
While many musicians possess the inclination toward perfection, you must always remember that if you push yourself to the brink physically, there is a possibility of backlash in the form of overuse injuries. Determination can drive fingers in any direction, but it cannot make playing the blues while you are in pain any easier.
