Hi, this is not a very « musical » topic, but I guess I am not the only player having problems with my fingers. I think I have developed tendinitis or something like that in my left hand (the one NOT holding the pick) : I feel tension in my fingers even if I stretch before and after playing. I guess I have to take a break, but to stop playing will break my heart... Could anyone suggest treatment or good « tricks » to help my fingers regain a little strength ? Thanks !
Sorry to hear that Olivier.
Fish oil and glucosamine are good for keeping strong tissue and joints.
It’s more of a preventative maintenance idea though.
I understand that ice can help.
i wonder if it would feel ok to work on fingerings that do not stretch as far and possibly work on slow clean fingerings?
good luck, hope it clears up quickly
How much and how often are you playing. Does taking a break help at all?
Hi country pickers ! Thanks for your comments. I already take fish oil. I normally play between 1-2 hours/day; sometimes more 🙂
I will stretch more often. I just played the new lesson (crosspicking G. Shuffler style) and since it doesn't involve a lot of left hand movement, I feel fine (for the moment). I guess I will practice smooth and slow. But if some of you know good stretching exercices, I would be glad to know them. Thanks again.
I do a lot of stretching and work with Chinese ball, it works for me!
@olivierparenteauyahoo-ca do you notice that the longer you go it gets worse? sometimes i take a break and just play shorter periods instead of long periods at one time.
I had that when I was learning piano and trying to practice an hour a day. For some reason the guitar playing hasn't created this problem though. With the piano I had to take a day or two off and just rest my hands and wrists. Aspirin helped the pain and I also take Move Free, which is a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement. It seems to help my joints, and I can sure tell the difference when I don't take it!
Had that happen, couldn't really get it to go down until I went to see a doc who prescribed me 6 weeks worth of rest with a dosage of anti-inflammatory drugs. It absolutely worked and I went straight back to guitar afterwards without issue.
Thanks for all the feedback. Esteban, my doc told me exactly the same thing yesterday : 6 weeks of rest, no repetitive movement, etc. As Jack Bauer said in 24 : « I'm going dark »... Or, as my girlfriend told me : « Nice try, but no... guitar » ! See you all in 6 weeks !...
And Devin, if you read this : thanks for the G. Shuffler crosspicking lesson !
Olivier
