so, iv just started getting pain in all the fingers of my fretting hand, I’m 54 so could be arthritis kicking in . Been playing more as like a lot of us I am at home with more time, so the increased amount of playing may have exacerbated the problem. I know don’t know wether to stop playing for a week or two and see if pain goes away or try to play thru it. ?
Iv stuck a set of lighter strings on which doesn’t seem to have made a lot of difference.
Any tips on anyway I can deal with this pain, as Playing is one of the things keeping me sane indoors and at the moment I can’t play for long before it becomes too uncomfortable. ?
Thnx in advance
gu
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One video I saw also recommended Chinese massage/exercise balls (link below) which I found helpful
Hope your hand feels better mate its horrible having something stopping you playing
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEALIFTY-Chinese-Exercise-Massage-Phoenixes/dp/B07H9QX4F4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=chinese+hand+massage+balls&qid=1588181716&sprefix=chinese+hand+&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTDkzMVUzTEtVMkVDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDgzNDUwMUNDQUk1VkNVRU1INiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTUzNDM5MzA5OEExUTUzQjlBTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
Il post what advice I get from the doc.
Yep came down a gauge, no improvement tho .
I’m going to ease off playing a bit and then do warm ups and see how I go....
I’ve spoken to the doc who said because it’s all of sudden , all of my joints in the fretting hand, and coinsides with increased playing activity it’s likely to be tendons rather than arthritis... so that good.
Told to rest for a day, play a little next day, if it hurts stop, don’t play too long whatever happens , and repeat...
“Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay
I'd recently had some pain in my left index finger and thought what the hell, for £30 i'll give it a go. What do I have to lose? - well, £30 actually, but that was a risk I was prepared to take.
I've worn it for 2 or 3 weeks now, and there is noticeably less pain. Is it really helping, is it psychosomatic, has it just healed itsself, am I playing more due to lockdown and exercising through it, is it the warmer weather????? Who knows.............. To be honest, I'm just glad playing is easier again.
Doesn't make me play like Vai yet tho!
Iv given playing a miss today, as advised, tomorrow il try the warm up stuff + a little playing and see how things feel. I was quite panicky when the pain started as like many others isolated I find guitaring helps me immensely and thought of not having that was ... erm scary.
And Just knowing others are interested really helps. Thnx .
After much research, I've been taking daily supplements of Fish Oil, Glucosamine/Chondroitine, Turmeric, and Boron. All are held to help arthritis, so I take the lot!
Added to some nightime finger splint wearing ('Oval 8') to keep the fingers straight, I'm now almost totally pain free all over my 60 year old bod! No way I'm letting it get in the way of my playing - I love it too much!
Hope that helps.
Thnx
“Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay