Piano Practice Injury. Please help!!

[canoluk2003]

Please help...
I have been practicing Prokofiev's Piano sonata No.1 lately,
and somehow i hurt my arms.
After a week of abeyance from the piano,
the problem still persists.
Pain in the fingers, tendon near the funny bone, and uneasiness.
I really can't afford to lose the ability to play the piano,
it's my life.
What should I do ?
 

[hmpiano]

I've heard good things about these: https://www.amazon.com/Thera-Band-Flexbar-Hand-Exerciser-Tennis/dp/B000P7YMW0

[asuhayda]

Relax! I'm sure it's no problem.. you probably just aggravated a tendon or something.  Take anti-inflammatories and rest it.  Those types of things take a little while to heal because of the amount you use your hands and arms.

If it's not better in a couple of days, go get it checked out by a doctor. 

I'm sure your fine.. I get little aches and pains every now and then from playing.  Once the outsides of my wrists hurt so bad that I couldn't even play.. I had to stop for a few weeks.  But I'm all good now. And have been fine every since.

Usually, it's because you are playing with too much tension in your hands.  Seems obvious, but I didn't realize it until I was in my mid twenties or so.  So, make sure you're not straining too much.  It's an easy thing to tell by video recording yourself while you are playing.

Don't worry... you'll live! 

[lloyd_cdb]

I've heard good things about these: https://www.amazon.com/Thera-Band-Flexbar-Hand-Exerciser-Tennis/dp/B000P7YMW0

I'm curious if anyone has any personal experience with these (I'd hate to pull a schumann...).  My left shoulder is fairly destroyed from multiple injuries and surgery, causing resonant pain in other parts of my left arm.  Definitely not asking for physical therapy tips, just wondering if it's practical for strengthening or more of an "as seen on TV!" product.  I'd love to discuss it with my physical therapist if anyone has any actual experience with it.

EDIT: just noticed it's a theraband product... I'll probably discuss it anyway.  But I'd still love to hear any personal experience with it.