Any advice for aching hands?

JonHosker

I started getting aching fingers and hands a few months ago and as a very keen guitar nerd...its frustrating and cramping my style (pun intended)
Any advice please...ta Jon

camoflamingo

I can't post links but "stretches for aching hands guitar" pulls up loads on Youtube.

I regularly stretch my hands and forearms just when chilling watching telly and  have managed to avoid anything major- surprising as I get injured to bits with a lot of physical stuff. I put the lack of issues down to the stretching. I still use far too much pressure when playing so I'm working on that and I find slowing down helps me use far less pressure.

I should probably do stuff to warm up but don't. Could you be 'clamping' like I do? I often think I'm trying to get the guitar to submit.

A deep tissue or thai massage would probably help with the pain you're having. It might (probably should) hurt but a few sessions will get your forearms, hands and fingers more relaxed. I usually tell them my physical issues and what I want so they can concentrate on those areas and not just go through a routine.

beed84

I've mentioned this before in similar threads and recommend it to any guitarist and/or musician:

https://powerballs.com/?campaign=ad-ukpb&gclid=COP9hrnw69UCFSsq0wod-Z8Meg

Bridgehouse

Did you post this in personnel cos you are looking for someone to give you a hand job?

Teetonetal

Are you getting cramps all the time, or only when doing specific things? Have you changed guitar or neck size / shape recently, are you playing things with more stretching or fast notes etc?

Wazmeister

Ive found that this occurs with certain guitars/fretboard sizes for me, as Ive gotten older.

My ring fingers on both hands ache, maybe a bit of arthritis? I dunno...

I had a Les Paul and a Nocaster both of which made my hands ache.

rustneversleeps

Maybe put them on your head,

hywelg

This is the Personnel forum not the Personal !!!!

Fez

If you can take glucosamine that might help I felt it did but it gave me headaches which is a known side effect.

CarpeDiem

If you play a lot, this may be a cause of aching, a degree of which shouldn't be an issue. However, I would stop playing and see a doctor if you experience pain. It is possible that it could be arthritis, but a doctor would need to check whether this is the case. I agree with the earlier comments regarding stretching/warming up routines.

JonHosker

Thanks.. .a doctor friend of mine recommended Glucosamine and Fish oil tablets...6 weeks before any possible improvement. General mild ache to both hands but mainly left (fretting) hand wedding ring finger. Snapped a tendon playing dodgeball 6 years ago so although 100% fixed, maybe arthritic pain from that. Yes..i too have sold an r8 Les Paul due to larger neck profile.
Preferring medium 65c fender type necks.
Still loving playing and aching is minor issue!!
Ta jon

octatonic

Go and see a physio.

JonHosker

Yep..may do. Thanks 

viz

Avoid playing Message in a Bottle

digitalscream

Moved to Technique section...closest I could come up with, given that I've just woken up.

mike_l

octatonic said:

Go and see a psycho.

Why?

bingefeller

Change to lighter strings, try 8s for a while and see if that helps. 

mburekenge

Sounds a bit off key, but i got into strength and conditioning training a few years ago... lots of monkey bar work, pull ups etc. My hands are much stronger now and rarely ache.

cbakay

Yes. Lighter strings. 

I had a long chat with a good hand surgeon expericed on guitarist hands, (I had the same issue) he explained in detail how everything’s connected in the hand and why this happens, and that it’s very common.

He said I should massage my palm with my thumb in circular motions. Pressure, but not too hard. The link has a photo of how I mean under “Stomach upset”....nevermind the BS broscience in the article, just photo reference. I helped me 99% of the way.

5/10 mins x2 a day 

JonHosker

Thanks for the plan massage top.
I have started. Jon

camoflamingo

Sports or Deep Tissue massage. Couple of sessions and you'll realise how tense your hands felt previously. Both these treatments should hurt a fair bit mind. Nothing excrutiating.