try tart cherry juice. 4 oz (2oz x 2)mixed with 8 oz water. Yeah, I know, it sounds nuts.... thats what I thought too, but it really helps me. That with some hot water soaks followed by cold water (repeat a couple of times )and a couple of ibuprofen now and then and I'm back to playing every day. My thumb was so bad that i could not play barre chords. Now I play with only minimal discomfort on occasion. The cherry juice is $14 / bottle but well worth it