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  #1  
Old 11-07-2010, 04:51 PM
bo2121 bo2121 is offline
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Default is it normal for my left hand to go numh

I been playing for about 6 months. My chording hand goes numb and we be numb. Throughout the day. I was just wondering if this is a newbie thang or if I should Go to the dr
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  #2  
Old 11-07-2010, 04:59 PM
pgilmor pgilmor is offline
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it's never normal for a body part to go numb during normal activity. you're either doing something wrong or there is something wrong with your body. a good guitar teacher or a physical therapist should be able to let you know if you are doing something wrong.
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Old 11-07-2010, 05:19 PM
leeasam leeasam is offline
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it could be you need to position the guitar with a more neck up postion. You don`t want to get into a sharp bend at the wrist. What you are experiencing is the same issue called carpel tunnel that comes from repetative motion. cna be from poor hand position. Also do qwrist and hand stretches through out the day and even during playing time. Avoid long periods of playing with no breaks.
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Old 11-07-2010, 05:20 PM
CottonPickin CottonPickin is offline
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The same thing happened to me when I first started playing. I recognized it as carpal tunnel syndrome (had it before in the other hand) and backed off on the playing. I was playing 2 hours at a time. I now play 45 minutes at a time and divide it into 3 15-minute segments. Problem got better when I eased off.
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Old 11-07-2010, 05:48 PM
bo2121 bo2121 is offline
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Thanks for the info I try it all.
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Old 11-07-2010, 07:14 PM
chistrummer chistrummer is offline
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I would call a doctor. Left hand going numb can be something more serious.
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Old 11-07-2010, 07:37 PM
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patticake patticake is offline
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i had tingling happen at one point, and immediately changed my playing position, which fixed the problem. this can become serious, so if it doesn't go away, i suggest you see your doctor.
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:04 PM
Stringin Swing Stringin Swing is offline
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When I returned to guitar after a hiatus, I was putting in a lot of time, trying to make up for that which was lost, and I encountered a kind of prickly numbness. I mentioned it to my neurologist, whom I saw for headaches already, and he tested me for carpal tunnel. He detected it and prescribed a kind of wrist-stabilizing sleeve, with velcro-closure, for nighttime wear. It's purpose, he said was to eliminate the nerve-pinching, which caused the numbness, by keeping the wrist in its proper position. I tried wearing it, but found it incredibly uncomfortable and actually pain-producing and discontinued wearing it, after consulting the doc again. After telling me to take it easy in playing, with the understanding that I had no intention of giving up guitar unless it was absolutely necessary, he retested me a few months later: the CTS was gone, as was my numbness. Likely, I was just overdoing it in practice. The point, though, is that numbness is something to be concerned about; it could indicate something serious, it could indicate something easily correctable but, in any case, it's a very good idea to advise your doctor that you're experiencing this problem.
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:41 PM
Funkmaster P Funkmaster P is offline
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Someone please message me on how to delete a post. Thanks!

Last edited by Funkmaster P; 11-07-2010 at 11:44 PM. Reason: posted by accident
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:44 PM
Funkmaster P Funkmaster P is offline
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In addition to the other helpful advice given, how about putting some lighter gauge strings on your guitar? You can always work your way up to fatter strings as you progress.
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:50 PM
bo2121 bo2121 is offline
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I will definitely put all these suggestions to good use. I guess I just have to get to the dr
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Old 11-07-2010, 08:55 PM
Boneyard75 Boneyard75 is offline
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My hands go numb sometimes due to poor posture....My problem is in my back....I suspect yours may be also....Nerves get pinched & numbness is the result....my advice would be to consider your back posture.... Best Regards, Boneyard
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Old 11-07-2010, 09:26 PM
mjudd mjudd is offline
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Never take medical advice or make a diagnosis over the internet, especially when it could potentially be something more serious. That said, it doesn't sound too serious.
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Old 11-07-2010, 09:26 PM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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No, it is not.
Thinking carpal tunnel here.
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Old 11-07-2010, 09:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boneyard75 View Post
My hands go numb sometimes due to poor posture....My problem is in my back....I suspect yours may be also....Nerves get pinched & numbness is the result....my advice would be to consider your back posture.... Best Regards, Boneyard
Good advice, I too have spinal problems after a bike smash, both my hands have been tingling for 28 years as a result of this.
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