Ice Dipping for Guitarist Tendonitis, buzzing sensation

by Philip

Joshua,

I began your icing program today Feb 25th 2010. For three years I've been fighting tendonitis in my left wrist. I am a guitar player, but repetitive retail work was also a factor.

On the palm side of my wrist there are two main noticeable tendons at the base of the wrist that go down the length of the forearm. My problem tendon is the tendon on the left that is closer to the base of the thumb (maybe the other one too).

So my question is only when I ice, at about 15 seconds I feel a buzzing sensation through my left thumb (fretting hand), then when I lightly massage mid forearm to the wrist on that first big tendon, whoa! lots of tingling/funny-bone sensation through my thumb and index finger, but not in my right arm.

Is this normal? It's not as bad if I massage my arm warm.

I'm wondering if this is nerve damage, or once the muscles get the toxins flushed out if this will go away? Thank you for your help.

Philip



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Joshua Answers:

Hi Philip.

I don't know if it's normal, but it's not uncommon.

Long story short, on a small levelthere are lots of factors involved, and I rather imagine that due to hypertonicity, inflammation chemical, a nervous system on high alert, etc, the stress of 15 seconds of ice cold sets off a 'vibration', or whatever you want to call it, in the electrical/chemical nervous system.

And, you only need to dip for 10 seconds. Especially if 15 sets this off but 10 doesn't.

Fair warning, Ice Dipping will lower overall pain levels and start to beneficially change the ecology of the area, but won't do everything.

On a bigger level, Guitar Tendonitis is also made up of many factors.

Overall, I wouldn't worry about the buzzing. Massage it warm, and see if 5 or 10 seconds of ice dipping avoids setting this off.





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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com