I have recently noticed some numbness in my hands, particularly the 4th and 5th fingers of my right hand. I worried about carpal tunnel, but the symptoms I found said that the most common symptom is "numbness or tingling in the thumb and index finger." I came across an interesting site while doing some research which I'll share with you. It contains some piano technique info which I believe is quite controversial. Notice what it says about slow practice and curved fingers! "Veddy int'resting."

http://www.soundfeelings.com/free/pain-prevention.htm

Veddy int'resting, indeed! Thanks!

> I have recently noticed some numbness in my hands, particularly the 4th and 5th fingers of my right hand.

Good news. With the "carpal tunnel" are the first 3 finger to have weaknesses and numbness.
The problem in "last" finger are probably a common problem at cervical (neck) level.
For "carpal tunnel" (I had that symptoms, and also now but less) are to avoid mouse and plastic bags , but also piano practising is not the best.....

All best,
Sandro

Don't know if this helps at all, but I had pain in my wrist area after practice, that would last even into the next day.

I went to a physio, who had never played a piano in his life - but he suggested that I sit slightly higher so that the wrist is not over-extended (i.e. not at an angle greater than 180 degrees on top) - once I corrected this the pain has disappeared permanently!

Turns out I was over-extending the tendons in my wrist, causing uneccesary pain. I only elevated my seating position slightly.

Perhaps speak to a health professional - if it is carpal tunnel you're worried about, let them be the judge.

Get in touch with http://www.paulmanley.co.uk/Musicians/treatment.html
as he is a top hand specialist and very helpful.

Thanks for the input. It's over two months later and the wrist/lower arm pain has increased. It even keeps me awake at night. I realize that piano playing exacerbates the symptoms. I'm quite anxious about this situation. I don't believe I can I can force myself to stop playing the piano. It's almost an obsession with me. It's a very important part of my life.

I've done "extensive research" about the symptoms using Google. At this time my "self diagnosis" is that it's probably tendonitis. The more I practice, the worse it gets. I believe weight training of the arms would make it worse for me. I'm not allowed to lift heavy weight because of medical conditions. Does anyone have any other ideas how to relieve the symptoms? I'm extremely concerned.

Hi John, have a look at the following article, which may be of some interest to you:

http://www.musicianshealth.com/CubitalTunnel.htm

Thanks for that article, Coccobill. I have several of the same symptoms. I'm going to try the heat- before-and-cold-after therapy. That's the first suggestion on how to obtain relief that I've seen. The Cubital tunnel symptoms are more like my symptoms than Carpal tunnel.

Practice two thirds as much as you do now. And relax, too. Forgive me for sounding Vulcan; being anxious is illogical; worry will only make the problem worse, therefore getting rid of that worry should be a top priority.

PF

I think it's nice that we can share information about these kinds of things.

One of the orthopedic doctors I saw recommended taking vitamin B-complex 50mg once a day. Also, ibuprofen - two pills three times per day, which I couldn't do. Gives me a tummy ache. So now I just pop one or two as needed. Vitamins and nutrition make sense, though, as well as the heat/cold thing. And watch out for using your computer mouse. That hurts my wrists a lot.

As for the mouse, I use an optical ball mouse. They're a bit hard to get used to at first, but once you get used to it, it's so much easier to use (IMO), and you don't have to move your hand at all to use it - just your thumb.

While my issue involves severe left hand trauma(circular saw won hands down), the following people have proven helpful during my so far two year recovery. Dr Kathleen Riley at NYU in New York City, USA. Her website is pianoperceptions.com. Also, the teachers at the Golandsky Institute in NYC have some good ideas. The Golandsky group had its beginnings in the work of Dorothy Taubman. Good luck to all of you with pain issues when you play. Something this positive(at least potentially) shouldn't hurt.