antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
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Oct 28, 2019 17:07:11 GMT
Post by antipesto on Oct 28, 2019 17:07:11 GMT
Hi folks. I'm suffering thumb, hand and finger pain in my right hand from playing. I practice/rehearse about 1 to 2 hours 5 days a week, (often 6 days), and them actually perform only about 1 hour a week. I don't really want medical advice, as I assume it's arthritis, but any tips on things which help would be greatly appreciated. Bloody marvelous really, as I've only played for 4 years!!!!!! (Or is it 3?) Attachments:
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Akquarius
Cheerfully Optimistic
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Post by Akquarius on Oct 28, 2019 18:49:55 GMT
Unfortunately, there's only one advice. Stop playing for a while and then see if it gets better. If it does you may want to recheck the way you play and try different positions.
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antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
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Ouch!
Oct 28, 2019 19:29:29 GMT
Post by antipesto on Oct 28, 2019 19:29:29 GMT
Thanks. That's not easy. I can't remember what I did before I played the guitar.
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Oct 28, 2019 19:39:33 GMT
Post by martinrowe on Oct 28, 2019 19:39:33 GMT
A opportunity to work on the picking/strumming hand?
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Oct 28, 2019 20:29:29 GMT
Post by vikingblues on Oct 28, 2019 20:29:29 GMT
Adjusting playing action to be lower, lower tension strings, adapting playing style of fretting hand position etc.
Playing with a capo with pitch transposed upwards to reduce stretching required.
Also there is a body of opinion that playing a guitar in a non-excessive way can help manage arthritic pain. Les Paul played guitar with arthritis for 50 years.
Soaking hands in hot water before playing. Gentle warming up exercises for the hands / fingers before playing.
I guess too that keeping a watchful eye out for pieces that are very repetitive in the precise way in which they put extra strain on the joints .... and avoiding those pieces / modifying them.
I don't play anything like as much as you mention, but have found there seems to be some benefit to me and my arthritic finger joints from a several week spell of taking Tumeric Circumin with Black Pepper Dietary Supplement. Meant to be a natural anti-inflamatory and there are a lot of people with arthritis that swear by it as a good alleviator. I've not been trying it for long enough / often enough to have a strong personal opinion though. As always with these type of things there is also a strong body of opinion that it's hokum.
Mark
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Akquarius
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Oct 28, 2019 20:31:06 GMT
Post by Akquarius on Oct 28, 2019 20:31:06 GMT
I know it sounds boring, but getting into music theory might be something to spend some time at. If you can't play you might as well think music.
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antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
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Ouch!
Oct 28, 2019 21:50:39 GMT
Post by antipesto on Oct 28, 2019 21:50:39 GMT
Lots of interesting ideas, folks. Turmeric: Can't: thins the blood. I'm already on blood thinners. String tension / action etc..... No, it's my RIGHT hand, my strumming/picking hand that hurts, not my left, (strangely). Theory.... Yes... It's a good idea, but will it engross me like playing does... I fear not.
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Post by andy3sheds on Oct 29, 2019 0:06:09 GMT
Berndt has made some useful suggestions particularly the theory bit have a rethink about posture A back to basics approach on how to hold the the guitar might be worthwhile. I was reading up some where about not to rest the arm above the elbow on the guitar so I tried it and was surprised on what a total change in posture was required
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Post by andyhowell on Oct 29, 2019 8:47:34 GMT
Right hand pain is very common. I’ve had it a number of times. Often when you are playing you can be very tense rather than relaxed. You are probably practicing too much. Half an hour sessions are probably healthier. As you get older your muscles do become less resilient and you are asking them to do things they have not done before. It may well not be arthritis.
Stop playing for a week. See where you are then. You can still sing and write songs. That may be enough but you may need to rest longer.
When you start playing again keep in short and as relaxed as you can.
It’s a long haul learning an instrument not a shirt sprint. I’d add that it is always a good idea to concentrate on what you can rather to obsess about what you can’t.
Look at somebody like Billy Bragg. He’s probably learnt two new chords over the last 20 years but it doesn’t stop him being a wonderful songwriter and very communicative performer!
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antipesto
C.O.G.
Transformed into a total nutjob.
Posts: 272
My main instrument is: Super cheap Sigma acoustic and Faith Naked Venus
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Ouch!
Oct 29, 2019 8:56:05 GMT
Post by antipesto on Oct 29, 2019 8:56:05 GMT
Right hand pain is very common. I’ve had it a number of times. Often when you are playing you can be very tense rather than relaxed. You are probably practicing too much. Half an hour sessions are probably healthier. As you get older your muscles do become less resilient and you are asking them to do things they have not done before. It may well not be arthritis. Stop playing for a week. See where you are then. You can still sing and write songs. That may be enough but you may need to rest longer. When you start playing again keep in short and as relaxed as you can. It’s a long haul learning an instrument not a shirt sprint. I’d add that it is always a good idea to concentrate on what you can rather to obsess about what you can’t. Look at somebody like Billy Bragg. He’s probably learnt two new chords over the last 20 years but it doesn’t stop him being a wonderful songwriter and very communicative performer! You be a smart cookie, Mr H. Thank you. I think you're correct, I do do too much, really pushing and pushing, never really stopping to look at the view.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Oct 29, 2019 9:28:49 GMT
Submerge your hand in ice cold water for 10 minutes. The pain of the cold will subside after around 90 secs. This should reduce any swelling.
The water must be near freezing point, ie with ice cubes in it, and 10 minutes means 10 minutes.
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Nov 6, 2019 1:22:24 GMT
Post by andy3sheds on Nov 6, 2019 1:22:24 GMT
Why so brutal ? I'd agree with a cold compress, but I'd always have something like a a flannel between the affected area and an ice pack
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Nov 7, 2019 19:29:24 GMT
Post by dreadnought28 on Nov 7, 2019 19:29:24 GMT
Why so brutal ? I'd agree with a cold compress, but I'd always have something like a a flannel between the affected area and an ice pack After 90 secs the body produces fluids that counteract the inflammation. I’ve had psoriatic arthritis for 20 years and was taught this technique by an occupational therapist back in 2001. It works! But 10 minutes is required if you are serious about getting the pain to ease.
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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 7, 2019 19:37:46 GMT
Like Chris S says. I'd also add, get yourself some Voltarol 2.32% "12 hour relief". Use plenty and rub it in as thoroughly as you can. Uncertain how effective the stuff is, but it helps me AND it makes you massage and manipulate the muscles , tendons joints etc., which is a GOOD THING!
Now, there is an old adage - if it hurts - you're doing it wrong.
You are probably putting too much tension into your right hand. I have a frind called Rex Preston, great musician, mainly mandolin, who practices A LOT and we discussed this at a workshop some tme ago, and although a youngster compared to me he imparted some wisdom which I'll gladly share. He said that he would play until something started hurting - then he'd stop and think HARD about WHY that part of the body is hurting, analyse it, and consider how you can change posture, pressure or whatever to avoid it. It is feasible that it could be something like holding the pick too tight (people that do this are also those who complain about the pick slipping). Just enough is better.
I think that you are possibly playing too much - so rather than arthritis - it could be simple RSI which can lead to Arthur .. perhaps you could force yourself to stop playing for a week and let those bits and pieces in your hand recover (with the voltarol. After a hundred years or so, I've realised that those guys who play fast and accurately do so because they've learnt te trick of usng "just enough" finger pressure,and just enough RH pressure to make the notes ring. If I'd learnt that 30 years ago, I'd not be suffering from CT syndrome and saved a fortune on refrets.
Learn from other's mistakes!
Ol' Andy
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Post by jonnymosco on Dec 7, 2019 21:44:15 GMT
Has anybody advised that your wrists MUST be straight when playing?
Caught Willy Nelson on BBC4 last night - clearly knew how to play without causing any injury as both wrists were completely straight.
Well, that's the long term, but the short term is probably all the advice above.
Jonny
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