I'm new to posting on this board, and it's always great to see similar stories to what you've experience. I had release surgery on both arms (at the same time) in January of '09, and things seemed to be going fairly well, though the numbness and tingling weren't completely gone. (I didn't expect them to be) Over the last three weeks, there have been a series of events that have happened, and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight. First of all, I'm going to see my surgeon next Tuesday since my pain is suddenly quite bad. I'm a drummer, and I played a performance on July 24th. Just after the gig and for the rest of that week, I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary relative to the previous months. The following Saturday (Aug. 1st), I transferred everything I had in one storage area to another, which, of course, involved some heavy lifting. During the actual moving day, I don't recall my elbows feeling very painful, or at least, once again, it wasn't out of the ordinary. As last week progressed, my elbows, particularly the right one, suddenly became as painful as they've ever been. I don't remember any blunt force trauma to the area. In the two previous weeks, I had begun using a new ulnar nerve stretch, which is done at about :30 of this video clip:



I may be imagining this, but, after the move, that particular stretch seems to aggravate the pins and needles feeling along with sharp, razor-like pains at the bend. That said, I should mention that that same stretch didn't hurt me just before/after the performance. I'm also doing the massage he does along the forearm towards the end of the video. In addition, my *entire* right arm has been hurting along with the additional ulnar pain, and it almost feels like a bit of tendinitis/tear/sprain/etc. Some friends and I went to see a movie this past weekend, and, while doing nothing other than sitting in my theater seat, the pain in my right arm became almost unbearable.

I've been to physical therapy post-surgery, and I stopped going after several weeks; that probably wasn't a great idea. Here's what I was wondering: Since the first stretch in the above video stretches the ulnar nerve *while bending sharply around the medial epicondyle*, do any of you think that's a problem? Most of the other nerve glide exercises I've done in the past didn't involve such a bend while stretching. Basically, I don't want to do a stretch that might be compounding the problem.

I'm quite aware that anti-inflammatories have basically no effect on this condition. My question regarding medication would be this: Do painkillers help with ulnar pain? Should I accept a pain medication if offered, next week?

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Take Care,
Brandon

P.S. - The gentleman in the video has some thoughts on re-routing the nerve that some of you might disagree with, so try to be as objective as you can while watching it. Oh, and ignore (if you want) the product being mentioned; it has nothing to do with the stretch/massage sections.

I'm a pro guitarist and know your pain about struggling with this and being a musician. Here's what i do and it seems if not to help at least it's not progressing too terribly fast. trigger point and massage therapy (you can do this yourself if you buy the book, it's amazing!) load up on B vitamins, quit caffiene, alcohol and other things you shouldn't be doing as far as chemicals go especially when you are using your arms and fingers. otherwise just try to be smart and avoid overdoing it. also splints at night and avoid bending your elbow more than 45 deg blah blah but don't keep it rigidly straight either. I want that glove to try it, in the video. i don't think exercise is a bad thing, i would be careful about overdoing it though, with all exercise build slowly. good luck and tell me if that video helps you, please. i might buy that glove if you recommend it!

Are you asking how the stretch in the video works for me? If so, it seemed to do pretty well before the last week. Oh, and you can watch the video; it's not too bad. What book are you recommending for the therapy?

hard to remember everything, i do a lot of cardio, at least 30 minutes 5-6 days a week and that REALLY seems to help. i think it's important to open up those blood vessels in chronically inflamed areas of your body to faciliate transport of nutrients into those tight little areas. i take a multi vitamin everyday to make sure i'm gettin my b's.

i'll find author of the book i used, or hell, i'll give it to you. i don't use it anymore, i got the hang of it on my own.

I was in the gym three days a week before the second session of summer school started, which was just over a month ago, so my cardio health hasn't been as good, lately. That might factor in just a bit. I take a multi-vitamin each day, as well. As I'm sitting here typing, my right pinky is really hurting with those razor-like stings. I need to read this forum a bit more to see how that's been dealt with. What are your daily symptoms? If you're a right-handed guitarist, I'd assume that your pain is probably in your fret elbow/hand?

That would be wonderful if you wanted to do the book thing! I'll drop you a PM....

Hard to describe the symptoms as i have so many, i think i've got cubital and carpal in both arms. yes, i'm a r. handed guitar player. tendons feel super tight trying to glide in forearms (sometimes this causes tendonitis too so i have to be careful.) electric shocks in the palm of my hands, especially when changing chord grips, those are really nast and painful. tingling/numbness in the palms, fingers, tired forearms that are easily fatigued. just a laundry list and it sucks. i don't play the guitar nearly as much as i used to, thankfully i'm 40 now and don't really need to practice as much. so i read a lot more. that keeps me from hurting too much. murder is 4 hour gigs! i will not drink anything but water on those days,period! seems to help.