Musical Injuries

Zombienosh

Hey,

Just wondering what injuries people have got from playing over the years. Maybe someone can offer some advice on how to deal with or avoid such injuries.

I've got a lot of internal bleeding on fingers over the years, burns and wrecked muscles.

At the moment every time I play a gig I'm in bits for nearly a week after with twisted muscles in my shoulder. dunno what to do about it. try warm up more i guess?

BostonB

See a physio. One that someone you know recommends.

Rigsby

Zombienosh wrote: »

Hey,

Just wondering what injuries people have got from playing over the years. Maybe someone can offer some advice on how to deal with or avoid such injuries.

I've got a lot of internal bleeding on fingers over the years, burns and wrecked muscles.

At the moment every time I play a gig I'm in bits for nearly a week after with twisted muscles in my shoulder. dunno what to do about it. try warm up more i guess?

I must admit that I have never heard of internal bleeding or burns caused by playing a musical instrument. Yes, people often get blistered and skinned fingers, which can result in some blood. Are you sure this internal bleeding is caused by the musical instrument ( I assume it is a guitar ), and not perhaps the type of work you do etc ? Perhaps you could elaborate further ? I'd recommend you get medical advice on the internal bleeding.

The shoulder problem could possibly be caused by a bad stance and/or being tensed up while playing. A wide, cushioned strap can help too, by spreading the weight more evenly. Breathing deeply helps to relax the whole body. Sometimes people "forget" to breathe, as they are concentrating so much on their playing.

I am a great believer in warming up, not just before a gig, but even when practicing at home. Do a search on You Tube for Yoga shoulder exercises. Five minutes spent doing these, especially before and after a gig, is time well spent IMO. Staying well hydrated (non alcohol ) is advised also, or cramp can occur.

The hands and fingers and wrists are what causes the most problems for musicians. It is always a good idea to warm up with gentle stretches. Below is a link ( it is from a bassist, but applies to most stringed instruments ) about over all health, with regards to playing music.


http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html

Hope this helps some what.

Zombienosh

I don't mean internal bleeding in the real sense more like smacking fingers pretty hard, or when i played bass plucking too hard and under the skin theres a lot of trapped blood.?

Miklos

When I was on tour last month I lopped the a good chunk of skin off my left hand index finger, five minutes before stage time! Blood everywhere!

Lesson learned, don't try to open bottles with a spoon.

Never sustained injuries on stage though, besides a few bruises from a bit of rough-housing. I usually try and warm up a bit a few minutes before a gig, stretch out the arms and shoulders.

Rigsby

Zombienosh wrote: »

I don't mean internal bleeding in the real sense more like smacking fingers pretty hard, or when i played bass plucking too hard and under the skin theres a lot of trapped blood.?

Glad to hear it is not "real" internal bleeding. Yes, a lot of bassists get injuries from plucking too hard. The trick here is to use a lighter touch and turn up the volume on the amp. When you say "smacking the fingers pretty hard," I assume you mean pressing down too hard to fret a note ? A minimal amount of strength is required to fret a note. To find out just how much is required, try fretting a string without the thumb behind the neck. A lot of people ( bassists in particular) use a death grip on the neck, resulting in thumb, palm, and finger pain.

BTW, you have not explained how you managed to get burns ?

Zombienosh

Friction burns on my plec hand from rubbing off the body, also on my plec hand i always scrape my fingers near the end of the fingernail and that leads to some manky looking blood trapped under the nail/skin.

I probly come across as awkward or clumsy as a player now, but i just tend to go a bit mad getting into it.

BostonB

See a physio and a Guitar teacher. Correct bad habits, and posture and give you some exercises to correct it.

Zombienosh

BostonB wrote: »

See a physio and a Guitar teacher. Correct bad habits, and posture and give you some exercises to correct it.

I think it's too late for the teacher, I don't think my posture is that bad, like i said I go a bit mental, I think I just need to warm up properly.

Rigsby

Zombienosh wrote: »

I think I just need to warm up properly.

Agreed !... and keep it "cool" ( as in relaxed ) when you play !!

BostonB

Zombienosh wrote: »

I think it's too late for the teacher, I don't think my posture is that bad, like i said I go a bit mental, I think I just need to warm up properly.

Randy Rhoads continued to get lessons' even when he was touring with Ozzy.

Sometimes you can have bad habits, (happened to me with swimming) no problems for years, then bam, you get a repetitive strain injury and you have to change how you do things.

Rigsby

BostonB wrote: »

Randy Rhoads continued to get lessons' even when he was touring with Ozzy.

Sometimes you can have bad habits, (happened to me with swimming) no problems for years, then bam, you get a repetitive strain injury and you have to change how you do things.

I agree with both of these points. It is never too late to get a teacher. It is always money well invested.

I also agree that physical problems can take years before they become apparent. It is a good idea to establish good playing habits as early as possible.

unclebill98

Watch out for butter on a dance floor when setting up for a gig..... True story that.

Rigsby

unclebill98 wrote: »

Watch out for butter on a dance floor when setting up for a gig..... True story that.

I'm sure it is a true story, but I was under the impression that the OP was talking about injuries incurred as a direct result of playing an instrument.

LukeQuietus

Does chronic back pain from all the headbanging at metal gigs count? Could also be my bad posture when hunched over my guitar.

raindog.promo

I don't think enough heed is given to (and I certainly didn't) protecting your hearing! Mostly my fault, but a drummer shares a fair bit of responsibility too.

Going to a specialist soon as my ears are in a state. Although I don't think there's much that can be done medically

Malice

I don't think I've ever had anything major happen in playing sessions thankfully. Usually any hand/arm injuries are as a result of doing something outside of playing guitar. As for how to avoid injuries, definitely warm up your wrists and fingers before playing. Depending on how your back is, some attention in that area could also help.

Ravelleman

I, for one, plan never to pull a Pete Townshend and ruin my hearing. Whenever I get back to playing with a band, I'll be investing in proper ear protection.

raindog.promo

Ravelleman wrote: »

I, for one, plan never to pull a Pete Townshend and ruin my hearing. Whenever I get back to playing with a band, I'll be investing in proper ear protection.

I've been to the doc. Step 1 is to syringe my ears as the're full of wax and step 2 is to go to Mount Carmel (I think) to have audiology tests done.
Seeing as my ears willbe fully clear of wax, I'll be taking the opportunity to have those moulded ear plugs made.

Rigsby

raindog.promo wrote: »

I don't think enough heed is given to (and I certainly didn't) protecting your hearing! Mostly my fault, but a drummer shares a fair bit of responsibility too.

Going to a specialist soon as my ears are in a state. Although I don't think there's much that can be done medically

Ravelleman wrote: »

I, for one, plan never to pull a Pete Townshend and ruin my hearing. Whenever I get back to playing with a band, I'll be investing in proper ear protection.

Ear protection is always one of the "band accessories" that gets over looked. Often, people get ear plugs when it is almost too late. Having said that, it is always a good idea to protect whatever is left of your hearing. If you get tinnitus, it is with you for the rest of your life. IMO people should spend as much as they can afford on decent plugs.

raindog.promo

Rigsby wrote: »

If you get tinnitus, it is with you for the rest of your life. IMO people should spend as much as they can afford on decent plugs.

Actually, I've had bouts of tinnitus. Luckily not being visited by it at the moment. I was told by an ear specialist before that tinnitus can also depend a lot on your diet. Coffee and Alcohol are meant to bring it on. As can a build up of ear wax.

I've noticed the effects increase with myself when I drink alcohol or other herbal remedies.