Any pianists here? I've got a question!

[Sunset Dragon]

I took up piano about 10 months ago and quickly developed ulnar sided wrist pains. I was clearly doing too much too soon and so it would seem that overuse was the problem. I carried on playing for a long time because I'd never actually feel pain while playing the piano. Rather, I'd get pain through ordinary motions like pushing a door, pressing a lightswitch, or even washing my face! However, the pain was symmetrical in both wrists, although worse in my weaker side, so it seemed unlikely that it wasn't piano. Well, I haven't had the problem diagnosed by scans or a physiotherapist. I feel like it might be tendon related but couldn't say with certainty. Since it's costly, for now I'm trying to work it out on my own and I am beginning to have some success. "Quitting" piano temporarily has not been enough, but since performing dumbbell wrist curls, the problem suddenly appears to be showing improvements. I don't know how that works but I'm sticking with it.

I hope soon I can return to piano. If and when that day comes, I'll have to use common sense and build things gradually. What I'm wondering is how gradually should it be? I was thinking 5 minutes of piano per day, adding an additional 5 minutes every 5 days. Alternatively, is there a general idea of how slowly somebody should build up in the same way there are such ideas when it comes to fitness? I suppose it's difficult with piano as there are many variables including the complexity of the pieces being played. I think weakness is definitely a factor. Playing piano with its weighted keys is very much an exercise of its own. When moving the weak pinky fingers, naturally there is motion in the areas where I can experience pain. I suppose if there is weakness in the forearms and fingers, the wrist could definitely suffer.