Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

not sure if you can get this in the states, but our bass player used to swear by a product called olbas oil,its mainly used for cold and nasal blockages but is also great for muscle and joint soreness.

http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicines/medicines/o/olbas/olbas_oil.htm

I have huge problems with arthritis in base of my left thumb and after a long session my entire left hand aches - related pain I guess. A good rub with Neurofen and a 12 hour rest and it's ready to be abused again. I think I also have some tendonitis in the back of my left hand but at this stage I'm putting it down to the related pain.

The arthritis is inoperable and the only way I can get some medium term relief is to have cortisone injections. I've been told that these are very uncomfortable experiences, so for the moment I'm playing through the pain barrier...... brick walls and all that!

I have a pinched nerve in my neck that's flares up every couple of years or so. Whenever it does, my left arm becomes worthless. A round of steroid treatments reduces the swelling around the nerve and I'm back to my old self again.

I figure (and my doctor concurs) that a steroid treatment every couple of years is better than surgery. However, whenever I am taking those treatments, I do some very funky things.

Acupuncture is worth a try.
My shoulder pain was pretty excruciating until I got the first treatment, & after that it became a dull, distant background ache, instead of a very sharp stabbing pain.

The nurse was surprised that I was improved so much after just one session, but apparently people react differently to treatment.

Of course, the best solution is treatment AND changing the habits that created the problem in the first place.

>pinched nerve in my neck that's flares up every couple of years or so....A round of steroid treatments reduces the swelling

yea, I'm looking into that too. Nerve impingement can cause major numbness in the arms and hands. Its kinda scarey when it happens... its a much more severe feeling than just waking up with an arm "asleep".

Gee, just hearing about everybody else's ailments is making me feel much better already! At least we're all not alone.

skullcap is a natural anti-inflamitory supplement that may help ... the side effects are actually good as well in that it is also a liver cleansing supplement ... also take omega 3 fish oil supplements ...

these may not help tendonitis but they are good for you and you have nothing to lose by trying them ...

Try coral calcium ...

most people who don't get results from glucosamine don't take enough ...

Cortisone injections are painful Howard I have had them, my problem came about through playing squash and badminton rather than guitar, in the end operation was only answer.

It is caused mainly by your muscles in your arm being connected to a bone in elbow, swelling occurs and to cure it the muscle is sort of detached from the bone to give it chance to heal and it reattachs itself, still get odd twinge 10 years on but takes weeks to heal.

You can get sort of arm supports or I have which act like a tight clip, they fit under your shirt so can't be seen, they sometimes help.

the problem with cortisone is in the short term it helps but in the long run it is harmful ...

habsuelutelee jeff

That's my understanding also, Jeff, but only if it's over-administered. Some doctors here are pretty liberal with the treatment - especially with sports people who might have them once or twice a week before training and games. My GP has already told me that he'll only do it 3 times and never closer together than 6 months and that's it..... no more - ever!!

Now..... about the stabbing back pains I get after playing for 3 or 4 hours.........

Face it Howard; you and I are just getting old!

Roy... I dont want to pry too much, but can you tell us more about the operation and how successful it was?

My biggest problem guitar-wise hasn't been playing a 4-hr gig; it's been playing "moving man" before and after thats tweeked my back and neck. There's a lot to be said for smaller amps and speakers etc. As we've all seen, many times a band will play a small club with gear that is really more suited to a larger venue. Oh well, you use what you have, I guess.

Dead right, Rich..... maybe it's the early stages of rigor mortis!!

Kent

I was only in for a day and as I understand it a incision is made on the elbow and I believe the muscle is cut to enable the inflammation etc to go down, nature reattaches the muscle, that was my understanding, it was slightly discomforting fingers swelled etc and it took about 5/6 weeks before back to normal.

Had the odd twinge since but of course use computers a lot more, as Howard says doctors are somewhat reluctant to use cortisone regularly it is after all not a cure merely a pain relief and when cortisone inserted into elbow, well brings tears to your eyes.

I'd say it was successful and each of us different but if you opt to have the op and mine was 10 years ago expect to be out of action for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

I know a girl that had surgery on her elbow for tendon problems, at an outpatient place that is local. It was supposed to be very routine, but she's never been the same. If you do get surgery make sure you don't skimp on who does it!