Guitarists problems with hands

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 04:27 AM

Not entirely, Raedwulf. While you say you are not knocking GPs, I think you do underestimate the vast range of skills and further training possessed by many GPs which allow them to carry out certain specialised procedures within their own surgeries, including, for those properly trained in the techniques, joint injections.
Some GPs have previously been in hospital specialities for a number of years before switching to general practice, and bring these skills to their practices. Surgeons, anaesthetists, ENT specialists, gynaecologists and others are all represented among GPs of my acquaintance. I was myself a specialist in "medical gynaecology" and family planning and responsible for training other GPs in this.
Hospital consultants will also expect GPs to have done all appropriate investigation BEFORE referring patients to them: history, examination, blood tests, X-Rays, scans, etc. And not everyone who is referred to hospital gets seen by a consultant: some have to see the registrar or SHO: some only get to see specialised nurse practitioners.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: gillymor
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 04:36 AM

You should consult your doc concerning long term NSAID use. A friend wound up with heavy bleeding in his stomach and a stay in the hospital when he got too dependent on it to relieve the pain in an arthritic knee.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Raedwulf
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 05:28 AM

No, Tattie, I don't understestimate them at all, believe me. As you say, some are / have... and many aren't / don't. We can't but generalise about a General Pracitioner, can we? ;-) So you can't pick up an individual example & say "See..." really, can you? I'm not a medical man, I'm IT. Therefore, if I may draw a parallel...

There are helpdesks ("I'm just going to read down my checklist, partly because I'm under orders to do so, and partly because I know sod all, so I can't do owt else") and there are helpdesks (I've occasionally had to do helpdesk work; the best incident, oddly enough, was in the NHS - Sister A authorised Sister B's account request, whilst Sister B... and neither had the authority & hoped no-one would notice - some miserable pedant did & gently pointed this out to Sister A! ;-) ). The GP is just that - a (good!) helpdesk. Very simplistically, they field the first enquiry & work out what to do with it. They may have some extra knowledge that allows them to deal with particular cases, but they don't have to have that. What they do have to be able to do is 1) work out whether they can deal with it, and 2) work out who it needs to be passed onto if they can't (and that may be as simple as asking the next desk over, cos next desk over has some different extra knowledge).

That's a GP in a nutshell, isn't it? Well worth talking to properly, same as a good helpdesk. Tell them everything you can think of, ask them all the questions you want, and find another one if you think they've stopped listening (I never have). The only time I'll ignore a doctor is if they start talking nutrition or alcohol - the former, no-one knows enough about to lay down any laws, the latter are a fraudulent attempt at social engineering. Do not ask, cos there we drift into thread hijack territory! ;-)

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Pseudonymous
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 07:51 AM

I believe that just as there are sports experts in physio, so there are now some specialists in music-based injuries, though how many and which instrument I do not know. Maybe worth looking into? Maybe the Musician's Union has something on this.


In some cases 'topical' pain relief might help. My dentist suggested Bonjela (!, forget how the topic came up) for a probably guitar-related pain I had, and it worked in the short term. Then the problem went away (whew!).

If I want to look something up, healthwise, I generally start with the NHS web site, which is worth a look on the topic of steroid/corticosteroid injections, as well as RSI and other possible causes of instrument-related pain. I'm not at all convinced by the idea that by going 'privately' you can get 'better' steroids. The NHS is under a lot of financial pressure, but I don't think this is one of the outcomes. What the NHS will do is choose the cheaper out of a range of very similar medicines: ones with 'brands' are often more expensive than non-brand alternatives. I've had medicine changed on this basis and was more than happy with it. Same thing with chemist shops 'own brand' asprin and the hyped commercial branded products.

Nick: Good luck; I hope you can continue to play for a long time.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Steve farrow
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 08:00 AM

I have had an essential tremor since late childhood that has grown steadily worse to the point that I had to retire early. I have recently had brain surgery to insert electrodes and to connect them to a control box in my abdomen. My right hand is now steady but quite "stiff" . My left hand shakes considerably but adjusting the control box one way brings on choking fits and the other, uncontrollable shaking and slurred speech,
Can anyone help with a way forwards?
Steve

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 12:12 PM

And I'm worried about a bit of pain. That puts it in perspective.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Raggytash
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 02:38 PM

Nick, On Church Street in Whitby there is a shop that sells all sorts of 'ethnic' stuff, However they do make a arthitis oil which I've used to some effect. It does reek a bit and contains Lavender which my good lady is allergic to but it did help.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Steve farrow
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 02:58 PM

Thanks Nick. Its a buXXer. I play finger style as best I can
Fortunately my local folk club (cottingham live, near hull) are supportive of me and I play regularly on singer's nights

Being greedy I also claim various pains
Leaving aside the non music pains, I have problems with my right shoulder following a fall down stairs
I find it to be difficult to get my guitar under my arm so I'm trying the mandolin as well. I'm due surgery when I get my blood sugars under control
Until then,can anyone suggest a good on line mandolin tutor to go with suggestions on playing instruments with shaking hands
Regards all,Steve

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: gillymor
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 03:39 PM

mandolessons.com is an excellent resource for learning mandolin. It's free but he accepts donations.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Jul 18 - 04:06 PM

Ok, Raedwulf: no, you can't generalise about GPs as they are such a mixed bunch: I would actually agree with most of what you said in your second paragraph (the bits I could understand!): but I'll go back to what I called "internal referrals" within the practice: you turn up with X problem: "Oh, not my province - see Dr Y who knows much more about that - might save you a visit to hospital and you'll get it sorted much sooner - he/she has done hundreds of these procedures successfully. If we send you to hospital you'll be waiting 3 months at least and might only see the SHO who has only done this procedure twice".
And yes, Pseudonymous, there are specialists out there who are appointed to symphony orchestras and the like to advise on joint problems resulting from playing positions, ENT consultants who advise professional singers on voice problems, etc. There is always a physiotherapist or osteopath available at Edinburgh Harp Festival to advise/treat, musculo-skeletal problems in harpists: not sure whether that's due to the playing position or just effects of lugging those heavy beasts about!

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jul 18 - 03:55 PM

One stroke caused by NSAIDS can ruin your day.
When things go south they go down hill fast Gillymor
What happens when things go east?


I trust the experiences of Tattie and gilly.


Raedwulf, yur not chopped liver ;^/


I'm lucky to produce endorphines continually from an old severed noisey nerve but you wouldn't want this 'cure'

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Jul 18 - 05:03 PM

"If we send you to hospital you'll be waiting 3 months at least and might only see the SHO who has only done this procedure twice".

Which is exactly why we have private medical insurance.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 20 Jul 18 - 04:33 PM

My appt. with the consultant is in September. I am going to put some if not all of the points you have kindly raised to him or her and revive this thread then. Thanks everybody.
Nick

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 12:07 AM

Back in my 30s in the mid 1990s, I experienced constant pain in one wrist, which I attributed to weight training in the gym.
I resorted to constantly wearing a neoprene wrist support.

Eventually I somehow had the idea to phone the UK Musician's Union for advice.
They immediately booked me in to see their specialist Dr in London for free,
even though I mentioned I wasn't a member.

I was told to go to the appt and take my guitar.

The Dr needed to see how I played, and if I had any bad habits causing my pain.

It's so long ago I can't remember which wrist, or his diagnosis and recommended treatment.
Vague memories it might have involved dunking my hand in either hot or cold water
and doing some stretching or tightening exercises whilst submerged...???
I can't remember for certain....

I once turned up for a band audition in Camden,
[a record label boss - friend of a friend - was forming a backing band for him and his wife]
Basically the guy was stoned, too stoned to concentrate on running through his songs,
and all he could do throughout the audition was talk about my wrist support and why I was wearing it...
was it a fashion statement...???

Funnily enough, I never heard back, and found out he never managed to get his band together, and passed away not long after.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 02:46 AM

Thanks for that. (I think)

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Raedwulf
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 05:28 AM

I too have gone through the (left) wrist support thing, pfr. I actually have a pair - I used to wear them both if I had to do any goalkeeping in my footballing days - but the left (neck) wrist is definitely weaker (probably the wrong word, but you know what I mean) than the right. Even though I've not played in some time, I only have to press the heels of my hands together & I can feel it in the left wrist. If I do press-ups, right hand flat, left hand knuckles...

I've always put it down to guitar playing, and I know my technique is very good (when I went to a classical guitar teacher, who also happened to be a professor of music, he exclaimed "You've had lessons before!"; nope, & he never adjusted my technique at all). I don't think it's an uncommon problem, & even top players such as Andrew York suffer.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 06:49 AM

With wrist supports, DIY is the way to go. I made one for my wife when she needed one a few years ago - moulded fibreglass directly on her wrist (with clingfilm and a piece of t-shirt fabric in between). The stuff gets very hot while setting, so don't make it too thick - make a thin layer to get the shape, then trim it and add an extra layer if necessary. This was far more effective and comfortable than an off-the-shelf one.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Raedwulf
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 01:32 PM

Ingenious, Jack, but are we talking about the same thing? I've always thought of fibreglass as being something rigid - your's sounds more like a plaster cast! ;-)

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 02:09 PM

That's exactly what it was like - it supported the forearm, wrist and part of the palm. The support she was using before tried to do the same, with rigidity provided by a curved aluminium bar, but didn't control side-to-side movement as well and was a lot bulkier.

Don't underestimate the heat problem on setting, though.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 03:11 PM

Punkfolkrocker - that wasn't by any chance Dr Adrian Whiteson?

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Raedwulf
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 03:37 PM

We're not talking about the same thing, then, Jack. My wrist supports are some sort of elastic clothing material (could be Neoprene, I have no idea, but I don't think so) about 5mm thick. They have a loop for the thumb, so that it stays in place. Apart from that, it's a long piece of material with internal & external Velcro fastening so you can wrap it as tight as you like. The main body of it is about 6cm deep, so it covers only the wrist; if you google wrist support, half the stuff you'll find goes halfway up the forearm & talks about carpal tunnel syndrome...

Helping with that isn't the purpose of mine and, I suspect, ditto for pfr. But he can speak for himself, of course! Mine help support the wrist under any strain (and protect from knocks if you're daft enough to wind up in goal!), help keep it warm (which allegedly is better for healing) and, importantly, remind you every time you try to flex the wrist too far. Which, where guitar playing is concerned, is how we wind up with knickered wrists in the first place, let's face it! ;-)

Kanckered? Cankered? Knackered! *ahem* Knackered wrists was what I meant to type. But knickered wrists was much too good a typo to edit out! :D

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Jul 18 - 04:05 PM

Bonz - sorry I can't remember, It was somewhere in central London, circa 1996...???

Raedwulf - yes, it was something very similar in blue.
Probably purchased at a high st sports shop, or Boots...???

I simply can't remember when the pain stopped and I no longer needed to wear it.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 05:12 AM

Nick Dow - just a thought, some guitarists wear a fingerless compression glove on the affected hand, in particular Steve Morse who is Deep Purple's guitarist.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 06:34 PM

Interesting. Do you have a link?

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jul 18 - 07:29 PM

Take care of those thunderous velvet hands.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 02:56 AM

I just googled "why does Steve Morse wear a glove when playing? "

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 08:47 AM

I've just put a couple of pictures of that fibreglass support on the Mudcat FB page. Naturally you don't want the resin directly against the skin - she wore a thin stockinette tube bandage inside it and another outside to hold it in place. Every wrist problem is different but that worked for her.

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 08:54 AM

My mrs broke her wrist.
Specialist said when the cast comes off there may be unusual hair growth.
Come the day to remove it, her wrist looked like a gorilla's.

I had great fun waxing it for her...

It brought tears to both our eyes... laughter in my case...

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 10:51 AM

pfr Were steroids involved?

Subject: RE: Guitarists problems with hands
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 Jul 18 - 10:57 AM

No... just a plaster cast for 6 - 8 weeks...

Specialist said it is a common phenomena...

Maybe the hairs grow in the dark like mushrooms...???

A new cure for baldness - just live in the pitch dark...

If it dont grow back, at least no one will notice the bald spot...