Musician Injury Recovery

Playing Pain-Free: Chiropractic Solutions for Guitarists and Bassists at Push as Rx Crossfit Fitness Center & Rehabilitation

For guitarists and bassists in El Paso, Texas, music is a way of life, from jamming at local venues like Lowbrow Palace to performing at Neon Desert. However, repetitive motions like fretting, strumming, and plucking can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), such as tendonitis, which can affect the hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, and shoulders. These injuries bring pain, swelling, and stiffness that can halt a performer’s ability to perform. At Push as Rx Crossfit Fitness Center & Rehabilitation, led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, we offer integrative chiropractic care to help musicians heal naturally and keep their passion alive.

This article explores why string players are prone to RSIs, how tendonitis impacts key body areas, and how our clinic’s holistic approach—combining chiropractic adjustments, massage, acupuncture, and nutrition—promotes recovery and prevents future pain. With Dr. Jimenez’s 30+ years of expertise, we provide El Paso musicians with tailored care to restore mobility and maintain performance stamina.

Why String Players Face Repetitive Strain Injuries

Guitarists and bassists repeat precise movements for hours: pressing strings for chords, strumming rhythmically, or plucking heavy basslines. These actions strain tendons, the cords linking muscles to bones, causing micro-tears that can lead to tendonitis (Wynn, 2024). RSIs develop gradually, making them common among musicians (Pianucci et al., 2021).

Fretting requires a tight grip on the fingers, while strumming or plucking demands rapid wrist and arm motions. Bassists face added strain from thicker strings needing more force. Poor posture, such as slouching over an instrument, stresses the shoulders and neck. Guitars (7-10 pounds) and basses (up to 12 pounds) add strain during gigs (Pain Free NY, n.d.). El Paso’s cold nights or long rehearsals can stiffen muscles, worsening symptoms.

Older musicians over 40 have less flexible tendons (Bend Total Body Chiropractic, n.d.). Poor technique, such as gripping picks tightly, accelerates strain. Diets high in sugar or fats fuel inflammation, slowing recovery (Healthline, 2022). El Paso’s vibrant music scene, with frequent gigs, pushes players to overexert, thereby increasing the risk of RSI.

Tendonitis Hotspots for Musicians

Tendonitis targets areas of repetitive motion. Here’s how it affects string players:

• Hands and Fingers: Fretting strains tendons at the thumb base and knuckles, causing sharp pain in conditions like De Quervain’s tendonitis. Swelling or a gritty feel may occur (Guitar Strength Project, n.d.).
• Wrists: Strumming and plucking repeatedly bend the wrists, inflaming either the extensor (top) or flexor (bottom) tendons. Symptoms include stiffness or a weak grip, sometimes with carpal tunnel-related tingling (Rawlogy, n.d.).
• Forearms: Constant flexing causes burning pain, redness, or lumps. Bassists feel it more from forceful plucking (Healthline, 2022).
• Elbows: “Guitar elbow” (lateral epicondylitis) brings outer elbow pain, while inner pain signals golfer’s elbow. Both weaken grip, affecting instrument handling (Tennis Elbow Classroom, n.d.).
• Shoulders: Holding arms out strains rotator cuff tendons, causing aches that radiate. Poor posture worsens it (Smithsonian Folkways, n.d.).

These interconnected areas mean pain in one can spread. Early intervention at our clinic prevents escalation.

Symptoms That Stop Performances

Tendonitis symptoms start subtly but grow intense. Pain begins as a dull ache during play, sharpening at rest. Swelling tightens joints, and stiffness locks fingers, especially in the morning. Numbness or tingling, accompanied by a buzzing sensation, can occur in cold environments, sometimes with fingers turning blue due to poor circulation (Pain Free NY, n.d.). Weakness causes dropped picks, and burning or throbbing persists after sets. A grating sensation suggests scar tissue.

El Paso’s music culture, with its late-night gigs and outdoor festivals, can exacerbate symptoms. Stress and cold weather tighten muscles, amplifying pain. If symptoms persist for weeks, our clinic offers expert solutions.

Home Remedies to Start Healing

Before professional treatment, try these steps:

• RICE Method: Rest by avoiding play and using splints. Ice for 15 minutes, wrapped, several times daily. Compress with elastic wraps, not too tight. Elevate arms on pillows (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
• Medications: Ibuprofen reduces swelling, but consult a doctor first.
• Stretches: Gentle wrist circles, finger spreads, or forearm pulls, held 15-30 seconds (Healthline, 2022).
• Self-Massage: Use massage balls to gently roll out knots (Rawlogy, n.d.).
• Diet: Eat anti-inflammatory foods like berries, fish, and greens, available at El Paso markets. Avoid sugary snacks.

These provide temporary relief but don’t fix root causes. Our clinic offers lasting solutions.

Chiropractic Care at Push as Rx

At Push as Rx CrossFit Fitness Center & Rehabilitation, Dr. Alexander Jimenez and our team utilize chiropractic care to effectively treat RSIs. Adjustments realign joints in the wrist, elbow, or shoulder, freeing nerves and boosting blood flow. For elbow tendonitis, targeted adjustments reduce pain and swelling, often restoring motion in weeks (Stamford Spine, n.d.).

We assess the entire body, as shoulder misalignment can strain wrists. Soft tissue techniques, like Graston therapy, break down wrist scar tissue. Laser therapy reduces inflammation, and taping supports joints during play (Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic, 2024). Regular visits help maintain alignment, reducing the risk of re-injury by up to 50% (Chiro One, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez’s dual expertise as a chiropractor and nurse practitioner ensures a precise diagnosis. Advanced neuromusculoskeletal imaging, such as MRIs, helps identify tendon tears or nerve issues. Treatments are safe, with minimal soreness, and tailored to each musician’s needs (Bend Total Body Chiropractic, n.d.).

Integrative Care for El Paso Musicians

Our integrative approach combines:

• Massage Therapy: Relieves forearm tension from long sets (Beech Street Health, n.d.).
• Acupuncture: Calms nerves, reducing wrist tingling for smoother playing.
• Exercises: Light wrist curls or finger bands build strength (Chiro One, n.d.).
• Nutrition: Collagen and omega-3s speed tendon repair, with guidance on local El Paso food sources.
• Ergonomics: Adjust straps or use lighter picks. Take 20-minute breaks during practice (Smithsonian Folkways, n.d.).

This holistic method accelerates healing and prevents future pain, keeping you stage-ready.

Dr. Jimenez’s Expertise at Push as Rx

Dr. Alexander Jimenez brings over 30 years of experience to Push as Rx. His dual training in chiropractic and functional medicine targets the causes of injuries through comprehensive care. We provide personalized plans for musicians, athletes, workers, and accident victims. Advanced imaging and assessments consider lifestyle and genetics to uncover hidden damage (Jimenez, n.d.a).

For a local bassist injured in a car accident, we used adjustments, massage, and nutrition to restore plucking strength. We also provide detailed documentation for injury claims, streamlining insurance processes (Jimenez, n.d.b). From tendonitis to post-accident recovery, we help El Paso’s music community thrive.

Preventing Pain for Lifelong Performance

Stay pain-free with these tips:

• Exercises: Wrist stretches, towel twists, or 1-pound curls, 10 reps, three times weekly (Healthline, 2022).
• Warm-Ups: 10-minute finger flexes and arm circles before gigs.
• Technique: Loose grips, neutral wrists, and varied songs (No Treble, 2011).
• Gear: Ergonomic straps and lighter instruments reduce strain.
• Breaks: Rest every 20 minutes. Meditate to reduce stress.

Our clinic offers customized prevention plans tailored to musicians in El Paso.

Keep the Music Playing

Tendonitis shouldn’t silence your strings. At Push as Rx CrossFit Fitness Center & Rehabilitation, Dr. Jimenez and our team utilize chiropractic and integrative care to treat RSIs and prevent pain. From hands to shoulders, we address root causes so you can perform confidently. Contact us at 915-850-0900 or visit pushasrx.com to schedule your consultation in El Paso today.

References

Bend Total Body Chiropractic. (n.d.). A comprehensive guide to chiropractic care for tendonitis. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Chiro One. (n.d.). Treating tennis elbow with chiropractic. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Healthline. (2022). Forearm tendonitis: Symptoms, treatment, recovery, and more. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.a). Injury specialists. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.b). Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN ♛ – Injury Medical Clinic PA. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Tendinitis – Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

No Treble. (2011). Health & fitness for the working bassist – Part 1: Basic technique. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Pain Free NY. (n.d.). Guitar & bass pain treatment doctors | Musician injuries Brooklyn NYC. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Pianucci, L., et al. (2021). Correlations between body postures and musculoskeletal pain in guitar players. PMC. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic. (2024). Chiropractic care for musicians with wrist pain. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Quality Care Chiropractic. (n.d.). Chiropractic care for tennis elbow | Aurora, IL Chiropractor. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Rawlogy. (n.d.). 10 proven strategies to relieve hand & wrist pain for guitarists. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Smithsonian Folkways. (n.d.). Tendinitis problems of musicians. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Stamford Spine. (n.d.). Chiropractic solutions for elbow tendonitis. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Tennis Elbow Classroom. (n.d.). Guitar elbow? How guitar playing causes tennis elbow & what to do. Retrieved September 25, 2025.

Wynn, R. (2024). How chiropractic helps tendonitis. Retrieved September 25, 2025.