Hi, all. I thought I’d add a little to the mix.
Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with locked fingers and hand pain. I have had a number of physical therapists and chiropractors. I have back issues which have near crippled me on occasion. And I’m told I have arthritis in my neck.
But the hand stuff is pretty terrible. I have a neck traction and also an anti-gravity table. The anti-gravity table is fantastic by the way. The neck traction is also great – very quick and instant relief. I’ve been considering practicing the anti-gravity lick on the anti-gravity table. … Perhaps next year.
Anyway, I can recommend some things that have helped me. Even though I describe myself with all the painful stuff, there have been times, sometimes extended times, when all was well and I could say “what pain?”
So, let me start. And I’m saying this to you in my best “Kemo” Edward James Olmos voice from the movie “Stand and Deliver” (great movie):
Think… cool. You might try cooling your hands a little, not a lot. All the suggestions are “a little”, and never “a lot”. Hands in some cool water for a short period of time. See if that feels better. You could also try warm water for a brief period of time. Does it help?
Think… friends. Why bend a string with just one lonely finger, when it’s more fun and easier to invite a friend (finger) to come help, and bend with two fingers. It could be a party and you could bend a string with 3 fingers. And for now, the party might have to wait, because bending strings is what your hands might be complaining about. (Guthrie Govan has great videos on string bending and avoiding pain)
Think… up. If you play sitting down, why not change, put a strap on, and stand up and play. Standing tall, with your guitar in a position that your hands would really like. Fretboard perpendicular to the floor. The back is intimately tied to your hands. And it always appreciates being straight up and down. It might let you know that it likes it in a good way. It could communicate its happiness through your hands. This happens with me. Even just sitting up straight and playing. Yeah, I know. And if you normally play sitting down, try another chair. Remove your shoes. If you sit on something soft, try firm. If you sit on something firm, try soft.
Think… unplugged. Try turning the amp off and unplugging the guitar. Really unplug it. Quiet the room you’re in so you can hear yourself breathing. Play like you normally would. You’ll be able to hear it. Then gradually, start playing softer and softer until you can hardly hear it. There is a really good chance that the hands will soften also. Soft sounds, soft hands. I do this a lot. Pain disappears. Very cool.
Think… small. No need to ask hurting hands to stretch on anything lower than the 10th fret. Play where the small spaces are … the easy stretches. See if your hands hurt after doing the usual lick but 8 frets higher.
Think …everything. We use our hands for other things besides guitar. Develop an awareness. What am I doing with my hands. It might be automatic. May not be noticeable until you really start looking. Are they tensing up even without playing? Do you sit on your hands. Lean a lot? Write a lot? Use the computer keyboard a lot? Computers are a great cause of hand pain… and weak stomachs and bad backs. Do you play video games? Do you use your hands there? How do you use them. Become aware of what your hands and back and shoulders and legs are doing. Look up the word “ergonomics” on an internet search. There is a lot that is under your control. All you need to do is get up to speed on that subject. (pun intended).
I used to never listen to my body. At all. But pain is a very powerful persuader. Especially back pain. But hand pain is right up there, too.
I hope any of my suggestions help. I find it best (and hardest) to do something that is different. Change is hard. Impulses have a power all their own and they are very controlling. Like Todd Rundgren said “Something! Anything!”. Becoming aware is a great first step.
Good luck
Catmandu
