Is this bad? - Guitars101

Aspect · 07-06-2005, 03:55 PM

Tight and sore joint of the thumb on the picking hand. I get it now and then, also get it when i play on me ps2. Any ideas on what it maybe, what could be causing it? and what i can do about it?

El_jalepeno · 07-06-2005, 04:04 PM

Sounds like "Gamer's Thumb"

Aspect · 07-06-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_jalepeno

Sounds like "Gamer's Thumb"

I dont really play ps2 much anymore though, havent touched it for months infact

**nroberts** · 07-06-2005, 04:33 PM

Ice it after you play. Ice fixes a lot of stuff.

Aspect · 07-06-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nroberts

Ice it after you play. Ice fixes a lot of stuff.

I suspect that would just numb the problem

El_jalepeno · 07-06-2005, 05:25 PM

http://www.seniorhealthcare.org/Srhe...a?OpenDocument

mab8485 · 07-06-2005, 10:06 PM

Yep. Gamers thumb. RSI

cormack · 07-06-2005, 10:43 PM

my hands lock up especially if i try picking hard, hence im a light picker. mabye try playing lighter

**nroberts** · 07-07-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspect

I suspect that would just numb the problem

No, no, no. Have you ever heard of RICE? Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

This isn't a 'serious' injury where there is going to be a lot of swelling so I don't know that the compression part is really necissary in this case. But ice can help a great deal because there is inflamation and with this type of injury that is the whole cause of the problem. It cools the injured area and lessens inflamation. Inflamation can damage tissue. If you really want to heal to the best you can possibly heal after an injury you ice it immediately. The first 15 minutes are the most important.

I have some problems in my arm caused by sleeping patterns and computer use. Ice and anti-inflamitories help a great deal. This is in fact what the doctors will probably recommend trying before working to more invasive techniques like surgery. Ice is bound to be a big part of the recommended therapy and is used in many injuries of this type. Ice on the affected area 4 times a day is often recommended in athletic injury books wrt injuries that are caused by repetition. Ice, anti-inflamitories, rest and some strengthening exercises after the initial pain starts to go away. If that doesn't work you only have surgery to look forward to.

You have to watch using anti-inflamitories all the time though. NSAIDs (asprin/ibuprophrin) can cause ulcers. Doctors may be able to give out better anti-inflamitories but might just give you ibuprophrin.