Wrist pain and exam deadline

[chingchingcat]

This is my first time writing post, hope it s the right place for it!

Got right hand wrist pain a month ago, I don't think it's carpal tunnel as it's in my wrist under the little finger.

It happened a month ago after playing Aaron Copland's Cat and Mouse - the passage of RH thirds. (Please note the attachment, Thanks  ) Then I tried to relax my wrist and took more breaks but it didn't work. The problem I think is I played with my RH wrist locked and just moved my palms horizontally. And I didn't raise my LH on black keys high enough so it added pressure to my RH.

I have stopped playing with my right hand and tried using chinese medicated balm for one week. I feel better (at least won't get painful with just slight turning of wrist) but my wrist still tight and unnatural to play pieces especially parts including arpeggios and thirds using my 4th/5th finger.

Im gonna have my ATCL exam on 19 May . I am not sure should I change other piece or just keep it. Feeling worry about the time. Im not sure how long it takes to full recovery and correcting my wrist posture on that thirds passage. And not quite sure the treatment for it.

I decide to stop using the medicated balm as Im not sure how forceful I should be while using it.

Any thoughts about the treatment? Or improvement for that thirds passage? Thanks in advance!

[iansinclair]

Do not mess around with a damaged wrist.  If you are in an area where a physical therapist or a doctor who specialises in sports medicine is available, get to see him or her as soon as possible.  They will be able to give you exercises which will help, and also can probably advise you on whether -- and how much -- you should practise with it.

What to do about the exam I wouldn't be able to say; that would almost have to be a day by day decision.

[piano_vs_science]

Resist the pain and it will flee from you!!!
James 4 verse 7

If that doesn't work try making it hurt so much that it stops hurting

[asianpianoer]

you are in a very similar position to me

i am doing the australian equivalent soon as well

i have to just rest my wrist basically
playing will make it worst so do not do what piano_vs_science said

it's really difficult to not practice cos it's like arghhh i need to be ready for the exam
but instead u might be disadvantaging yourself further by injuring or weakening ur wrist even more

message me if u like hope u dont have anymore pain

[perfect_pitch]

playing will make it worst so do not do what piano_vs_science said

This is correct...

Resist the pain and it will flee from you!!!
James 4 verse 7

I'm hoping this was sarcasm, because if it wasn't, it's quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever seen someone write on a forum.

[pianoplunker]

This is my first time writing post, hope it s the right place for it!

Got right hand wrist pain a month ago, I don't think it's carpal tunnel as it's in my wrist under the little finger.

It happened a month ago after playing Aaron Copland's Cat and Mouse - the passage of RH thirds. (Please note the attachment, Thanks  ) Then I tried to relax my wrist and took more breaks but it didn't work. The problem I think is I played with my RH wrist locked and just moved my palms horizontally. And I didn't raise my LH on black keys high enough so it added pressure to my RH.

I have stopped playing with my right hand and tried using chinese medicated balm for one week. I feel better (at least won't get painful with just slight turning of wrist) but my wrist still tight and unnatural to play pieces especially parts including arpeggios and thirds using my 4th/5th finger.

Im gonna have my ATCL exam on 19 May . I am not sure should I change other piece or just keep it. Feeling worry about the time. Im not sure how long it takes to full recovery and correcting my wrist posture on that thirds passage. And not quite sure the treatment for it.

I decide to stop using the medicated balm as Im not sure how forceful I should be while using it.

Any thoughts about the treatment? Or improvement for that thirds passage? Thanks in advance!

For me it took 3 months to get back to normal.

Stop practicing
Wear gloves and flexible wrist support strap.
Anti-inflammatory medication , but dont get fooled that you are healed and start practicing.
Ice 20 minutes, heat 20 minutes
Try not to use your hand at all for anything. Open a door with the other hand, turn the keys with the other hand , etc

Once you can go for a period of time without all those things and your hand feels fine, then you can probably practice again.   I am not a doctor but this is all what my doctor told me to do, and the Dr. told me to expect several months to a year no play-play. I know a guitarist who had to wait a year.  Sorry for your pain.  If it hurts to close any part of your hand or if it hurts to stretch your hand, then you are not healed and you will probably re-aggravate.  Good luck to you.

[drexo]

These exercises helped me to gain some relief while I was experiencing wrist pain: