Neck - trapezius tension ... wrist induced?

[alophysio]

Hi - a very interesting problem indeed.

As above, the problem seems to be a nerve sliding issue - not very good advice to tell someone to give up guitar now is it?? Kinda like telling Tiger Woods he shouldn't play golf anymore!

Be careful with doing exercises without having someone supervise you. Nerves are delicate things. They don't take much abuse before they get damage then take ages to settle - as you have found out!

I would try to do the radial deviation thing but without going so far as to trigger off the tension and pain. Rather, just start doing gentle movements within a pain and tension free range.

Having the problem start at the age of 14 leads me to think that you have a growth spurt at this age (or developed gangly arms as boys of this age are wont to do!). You then probably set up a recurring irritation of the nerve that simply hasn't settled.

I would also think that your cervical stability needs work.

Find a good physio who won't stick you on machines - you need a manual therapist (manipulative therapist) - check with the Chartered society of Physiotherapists for a post-grad trained manipulative physiotherapist. This way you can be sure they might have a clue - otherwise there are plenty of good physios without this qualification!

Good luck!

[Odd Socks]

... - not very good advice to tell someone to give up guitar now is it?? Kinda like telling Tiger Woods he shouldn't play golf anymore!

Quite right! Glad to see someone's recognised the true significance to the world of my guitar playing.

I will go see a physio.

Thanks for the advice.

[Odd Socks]

I've just noticed something about my wrist.

If I passively extend the wrist (bend back of hand closer to back of forearm using other hand), then pull the wrist into radial deviation (as far as it can at that extension), then reduce the amount of extension while maintaining maximum radial deviation, I'll get to about 30 degrees of extension whereupon there's pain on the radial side of the wrist that's too much to go any further without reducing the amount of radial deviation. It really feels almost like there's a bone in the wrist in the way. However, if I start off with the wrist in full flexion and place it in radial deviation, I can go all the way to full extension, passing through the same 'region', without a problem.

Is there any danger in gently trying to increase this restricted movement - backtracking when I feel the pain? Trouble is, it really doesn't feel like it wants to go past this point in one direction.