Tech: Playing with arthritis

Subject: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 09:36 AM

I am a right handed guitar/mandolin player and have suffered increasingly with arthritis in my hands. The index finger on my right hand is now particularly swollen and painful and my rheumatologist has just discharged me from his list stating that there is nothing that can be done except for taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

Apart from becoming an unaccompanied singer, does anyone recommend any strategies for playing differently or playing a different instrument that doesn't require the same flexibility in the fingers?

Roger

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 09:40 AM

Sorry about staring this new thread - I have just seen the earlier one on the same topic! Perhaps our mentors will combine them?

R

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 09:45 AM

I don't know but I knew someone with (what to me looked like really nasty) rheumatiod arthritis who played a hammer dulicmer very well.

I believe ahe has since had knuckle replacements. I don't know whether that has helped with her playing.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 10:01 AM

I wonder if you have considered a lap style resonator. You could certainly play melodies with just a thumb-pick.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 10:19 AM

Is it regular arthritis or rheumatoid?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 10:26 AM

He refers to "his rheumatologist"

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: Peace
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 09:14 PM

One thing that might help is to look at playing in open tunings.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: GUEST,Banjoman
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 07:28 AM

Keep playing as long as you can. I have had a degenerative spine and shoulder condition for a long time and thought I would have to stop. (as I play banjo, many felt that was a good idea anyway)
However, with a bit of practice I worked out a style that I could manage with my remaining one useful finger and thumb (right hand)and adapted some tunings to suit. I am still able to play with the band provided I can sit down and that access to the venue is ok for my mobility scooter.
Don;t give up
Best wishes -Pete

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 08:54 AM

I have watched a bloke with arthritis in his hands struggling to play a tenor sax, and while he could sort of do it, it wasn't very musically effective.

There was a design of recorder where each fingerhole was mounted on a separately rotatable joint. This could cope with a wider range of distorted hands than anything else I know of. They aren't made any more but I've seen one on EBay not long ago - might be worth asking a specialist recorder dealer like Saunders or the London Recorder Centre.

The trombone doesn't need fingers at all.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: Rumncoke
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 10:06 AM

Is there any possibilty that you might have low thyroid function?

When I was diagnosed and treated with Thyroxin one of the side efects was a great improvement in the flexibility of my hands (and feet - though not really relevant except it made walking carrying the guitar easier too).

I had almost given up playing my stringed instruments and recorders/flute, and all the crafts I had done for so long. I was using a small electronic keyboard for acompaniment - they can be fun with all their different voices - but you do need to try them out, some I tried sounded awful.

When you do get a flare up be very gentle with the joints affected - one of my aunts was determined not to 'give in'. Her right hand became more and more distorted whilst her left hand remained relatively normal looking - but she rested the left hand when it hurt, but kept on using the right one.

Anne

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: Al
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 10:24 AM

Please try this for at least a month and see if it helps: Take 8 omega-3 fish oil capsules a day. Take two tablets four times a day. If you notice improvement, you might be able to taper off to two tabs a day later on. If no improvement in 1 month, maybe it's not going to help. Let me know how this works for you.
Al

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: the one
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 11:45 AM

see merv, got some good cures.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 12:21 PM

glucosamine sulphate is more effective if taken at the same time as turmeric.cod liver oil and cider vinegar also can help.

Subject: RE: Tech: Playing with arthritis
From: DADGBE
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 01:08 PM

Hi Roger,

I'm in the same boat as you these days but I have the advantage of being a Chiropractor by training. I've worked for many years with musicians who have had problems due to repetitive motion damage.

Tell me more about how you actually use your hands on the instrument. It's your picking hand that seems to be giving the worst fits. Do you use a flat pick? finger picks? fingers? Which fingers are the worst?

Best regards,
Ray