Really ashamed of carpal tunnel symptoms

[jannam]

Hi there,

I started piano some three years ago and I'm a perfectly healthy 25-year-old. Recently, I have been experiencing tingling, slight pain etc. in my wrist and suspect these to be early symptoms of the carpal tunnel syndrome.

I am slightly afraid of telling my teacher because I feel very ashamed. I feel that all my hard work has been for nothing. For the first 2,5 years of playing I never had stiff hands. I didn't even know that playing could hurt. Now I wonder whether I'm getting worse. Because carpal tunnel symptoms are a sign of doing something wrong, right?

The symptoms started appearing as I started practicing scales and arpeggios for the first time a few months ago. My teacher was lazy and didn't want to help me, so I was forced to cope on my own. I now have a new teacher who helps me with my scales, but I'm afraid I've picked some bad habits.

Will the symptoms instantly disappear if I correct my technique or can the pain continue even as I relax etc.?

Anyone got any advice?

[volcanoadam]

Hi Jannam,

I'm in a kind of similar situation. I've had some pain in some of my finger joints in the right hand. My weekly lessons are never long enough for everything and technique never was on the first plan. I bought some books on technique and after some reading I've found some fundamental problems in my technique. I'm slowly improving my technique and the pain seems to be easing slowly.
Still, I always try to discuss everything with my teacher - he's able to see what I can't.

[quantum]

This is exactly a thing you should be talking to your teacher about. 

Whenever I brought technique concerns up in lessons, I learned so much about making my technique better and more efficient. 

If your teacher does not want to address these important issues, then you have a lot to think about whether it is a good match of student and teacher. 

[samwitdangol]

     Don't be embarrassed; talk to your teacher about this! I am sure that they will be glad you mentioned this.

[outin]

Why would you be ashamed? Your teacher should be for leaving you alone with that stuff.  Some people are more prone to Carpal tunnel problems than others because of their anatomy. There's the option of surgery that gives relief, but when I was in the similar situation I decided not to go that route. I managed to get the thing under control in a month or two with first 2 weeks rest and wearing wrist support and then add non piano exercises on the fingers and wrists (using a physiotherapy ball). Now I just need to be careful: I notice the first signs and stop whatever I was doing and try to figure out another way. For me any repetitive simple exercise may aggravate it, so I just don't do those. I practice physical technique only by learning new pieces. It's a limitation but for an adult beginner it's not the end of the world not to play scales faster than light...

Piano was not the only cause in my case, the first bad incident was after doing too much non stop mouse work having to finish a project with too little time. So computer/phone/whatever habits may add to the stress of piano practice. You need to start listening to your body and take note of the first signs of trouble and what exactly is causing them.

Unfortunately only very few piano teachers actually can handle anatomical issues and repetitive strain injury problems so you have to take charge on your own health.

[brogers70]

Why would you be ashamed? Your teacher should be for leaving you alone with that stuff.  Some people are more prone to Carpal tunnel problems than others because of their anatomy.

Agree 100%. There's absolutely no reason to be ashamed. None. None. None. As Outin said, the main determinant of whether you get carpal tunnel syndrome is the anatomy you are born with. Getting it is not a moral failing. There are ways to reduce the risk, and to mitigate it if you get it, but it's just something that happens, not a reflection on your character.

[ranjit]

As Outin said, the main determinant of whether you get carpal tunnel syndrome is the anatomy you are born with.

Really? I was under the impression that it largely depends on posture and technique.

[outin]

Really? I was under the impression that it largely depends on posture and technique.

Some people have too tight carpal tunnels and any extensive work with fingers can aggravate it no matter how correct the tecnique. That's why surgery helps.

However I am sure almost anyone CAN get it by playing a lot with extensively twisted wrists...

[brogers70]

Really? I was under the impression that it largely depends on posture and technique.

There are people who work for years at computers with poor posture and a non-ergonomic wrist position and never get it. Others with bad luck get it with very little provocation. It's not that how you use your hands and wrists is irrelevant, but it's not a straight line from poor technique to carpal tunnel.

[jannam]

Thank you everyone for replies .

I managed to heal my wrists in a few days by resting, using cooling gel and giving my hands hot and cold baths in turn. Now the symptoms are gone and I'm able to play normally again.

I thought I'd share my findings in case anyone ever searches the internet for an answer on how to heal carpal tunnel syndrome and how to play without causing injuries. Here are some of the reasons I developed tension and I hope they might help someone else fix their wrists, too:

1. I played too much

I used to play 3 hours every day. I've only been playing for 2,5 years and while I'm at the intermediate level, I haven't accumulated the necessary stamina to maintain a good hand position or the correct body posture for more than c. 30 minutes at a time. Bad hand position (in my case, wrong thumb position) leads to tension. Slouching, leaning forward etc. will put pressure on your hands.

2. I tried to control every aspect of my playing

I developed tension because I was overly conscious of my technical faults. While it's good to be aware of problems in your playing, I think it's healthy to accept your playing as it is and make one small change at a time. Trying to control every little movement will definitely lead to tension. Worst of all, I ended up constricting my natural, instinctive body movements. My teacher told me: the less you think, the better you play. That's because the hand will find its way if you allow it to move in a natural way. Branding your playing as hopelessly bad (which perfectionists tend to do) will lead you to undermine what you already have.

3. I focused too much on technique

For me, tension appeared when I began to over-emphasise raw technique and forgot to enjoy music. Letting yourself go and allowing your body to move to the music while you play allows you to relax and find the best ways to move your hands and body in a way that allows for the right kind of sound to come out. Your natural movement is obviously not perfect as it is but it's the only place you can start, really.

In conclusion, my problem was definitely over-thinking. Developing tension doesn't necessarily come from doing everything wrong and having a bad foundation: it can also be caused my mental tension and trying too hard. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm not perfect and will not ever be a perfect player. I prioritise expression and enjoyment and believe that this attitude will also ultimately lead to a better technique as well.