What to do when you get tendinitis - A guide for guitarists 

Stretching is not generally recommended by expert clinicians (clinician-researchers specializing in tendon overuse problems). It can make some tendon issues worse, by compressing a tendon against underlying bone. Similarly, there is little evidence that stretching prevents tendon problems in the first place. Your average doctor or physio may not be familiar with current evidence-based best practice for what is a difficult condition to treat (what they were taught in school has often changed in more recent years as better evidence has emerged).

Hey thanks man! Interesting that your last point is about sleeping. I think it's one of the most important. Before and after injury. I am willing to bet that 80% of the reason for my injury was in me sleeping on my arm and having my wrist and awkward positions!!! And the rest of it was just repetition and playing a lot of guitar. But there are people that do that my friend, and they never have these issues.

You guys say 2-3 hours in crazy I’m over here playing full albums and writing thrash for 10 hours when I can and 3 hours on slow days lol I’m fucked guys I’m withdrawing

Don’t forget triceps tendinitis. Also, my tendinitis came from using too much pressure when fretting. So tension control is super important.

thanks for sharing man, good info and exactly in line with my experience, which is unfortunately quite extensive. four years ago i had tendonitis in my right elbow from gripping too hard when weight lifting with my trainer, and i didn't respect the injury or really know what the symptoms were. i ended up having to do PT, platelet rich plasma injections, I even tried acupuncture. took 18 months to heal fully. I now have tendonitis in my left/fretting elbow as a beginner guitar player, i went too quickly from zero to 60-90 minutes a day. now been healing for six months. i'm late 40s, so has something to do with it, but this injury is no joke. respect and rest at the first hint of tendonitis.

I had a feeling he was a metal head. Got sold after he said he listens to Opeth.

Thanks for this, man! I currently have tendonitis and this is really helpful for me 😊

Just started learning left hand muting for 16th note funk patterns and jacked my left arm up with tennis elbow. Deeply appreciate this video.

Tension buildup can occur all throughout the body, in the feet, hips, back, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, eyes, mouth, etc. The key here is to find the path of least resistance, you want to exert as little energy and pressure as possible to achieve the result. In order to do that you have to analyze closely where the point of tension is building and reposition accordingly. There are best case scenarios for posture and technique when it comes to sustained long term playing, learn from the masters. Path of least resistance.

GREAT ADVISE!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I AM A 56 YR OLD MAN TRYING TO LEARN DRUMS AND RELEARN THE GUITAR (HAD NOT PLAYED SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER) AND, AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF 2 TO 3-HOUR DAILY SESSIONS, I BUSTED MY LEFT ELBOW. I HAVE BEEN VERY SLOWLY RECOVERING FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS NOW, AND YOUR GUIDANCE SURELY WILL HELP.

Thank you for the tips.. Very helpful.

Thank you for the content, I’m actually experiencing it right now and I got very down because I can’t practise. But the thing to focus on theory and on the right hand, which are stuff that when the left work well I never do 😅 it is a good point. The only thing that could be wrong is when you explain stretching and which muscles do you stretch with the movement, it should be the opposite, so if you pull up you stretch the down part and compress the up. Anyway love the content!!

Thanks for the time stamps very helpful

Great information. New subscriber here!