Musicians need to practice and perform at peak of ability for long periods of time without damaging the body. 

If you have a serious chronic problem, see a doctor.  Evaluate your posture.  Playing under stress causes damage.  I have observed many guitarists who are in physical trouble from damage-producing finger, hand, wrist, arm, neck and back movements.

You should be able to enjoy playing the guitar pain-free for many hours.  Drugs which reduce inflammation and pain may cause other health problems by reducing resistance to disease. 

The best solution is to stop it at the source.  If you

are playing a lot and the inflamation and pain gets bad, stop playing for a few days. Give your hands a rest.  A great musician must not sabotage himself through destructive habits.  A musician is an athlete who should be in top physical condition.

1. Relax the hands before playing and keep them relaxed while playing.   Soak them in warm-hot water for 3-5 minutes before playing to loosen up the muscles. If you have a big enough sink, emerse the entire arm, or soak in a bath tub. Washing dishes is a great thing to do before practicing.

2. At the end of the session, soak in cold water to reduce inflammation. Immediately at the beginning of a break during your gig, go to the restroom and run cold water on your hands. In cold climates, wear gloves to the gigs to warm the hands, loosen them, and protect them while loading equipment. Avoid gloves after the gig to chill the hands.

3. Avoid liniments which numb the pain but don't  reduce inflammation. You need to be aware of pain   to you know the condition of your hands and arms. You can seriously hurt yourself by playing with numb hands.

4. Get regular massages by a Certified Massage Therapist, including shoulders, neck and arms. It's  not good to massage the hands if they are inflamed. 

5. Avoid caffiene, sugar, alchohol, drugs, marijuana,

and energy drinks.  They increase stress, making you unpredictably sensitive or numb resulting in bad choices, bad time, and increased chance of injury.

6. Hands are in use all day.  There are ways to open doors, lift glasses, hold eating utensils and pens, steer a car, and tie shoes that cause less stress on the hands.  Save your hands for making music.

7. When typing, the chair should be high enough so that elbows are higher than wrists.

8. Stop hurting your hands while playing the guitar.  Relax and keep your wrists straight. Relax your face. Tense facial expressions cause tension in the neck

and shoulders and don't improve the music.

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SUPPORT BOOKS:

YOU ARE YOUR INSTRUMENT -

                    Julie Lyonn Liebermann

PLAYING (LESS) HURT - Janet Horvath

THE ATHLETIC MUSICIAN -

                         (A guide to playing without pain)

                    Barbara Paul and Christine Harrison

THE CABARET ARTIST'S HANDBOOK - Bob Harrington

THE SINGING ENTERTAINER - John Davidson

See MUSICAL FITNESS on our shopping cart:

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9.   Don't use your hands in place of tools !   There are pliers, screw drivers,  letter and box openers, scissors, that can reduce hand use.

10. Get a hand truck to protect your body while moving equipment.  Always wear gloves.

11. Be carefull when shaking hands.  Just grab the finger tips so some macho man doesn't crush your hand before you walk onstage.

12. Learn to hold things without using pressure between the thumb and the other fingers. Squeezing the thumb and fore finger together causes tension in the whole arm.  

13.  In general, as you go through life, do your daily tasks causing as little wear on your hands, ears, eyes and body as possible.

14. Check the website of the Mayo clinic regarding carpal tunnel syndrome.  They suggest practicing

15-20 minutes at a time separated by rest periods.

TURMERIC, a spice, is available in capsules from

health food stores.  It's excellent at reducing inflammation!  (It's also used to season Indian food.)

ZYLAMEND softgels promote a healthy inflammation response in your body. Available at health food stores.

GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN MSM  can increase agility in older players. 

ARNICA MONTANA is an excellent external hand treatment. Get it at a health food store. The herb Arnica is known to stimulate circulation and encourage healing of muscles and aching joints. However, it's an herb so it's potency is inconsistant.

EPSOM SALT SOLUTION Some folks get relief from muscle strain by soaking the hands. Get it at a pharmacy.

L'BRI SUPER ALOE Multi-function pain relief cream for severe muscle strain. I've tested almost everything on the market and this works the best for me. It's available at: www.jillj.lbrionline.com click on "Health and Nutrition" in the left column on the site.

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DRESS LIKE A STAR: My first booking agent told me, "don't look like the audience." Whatever you wear should make it look like you are special and that you are "working". My second booking agent said, "if you can wear it on the street, it's not suitable for performance wear." Think of how Stevie Ray Vaughn didn't look like the audience and of how Mick Jagger moves so he can be seen a mile away.

LOOK HEALTHY: Usually your head and hands are the only parts of your body that are visible. Take care of the skin on your face! The best care for your facial skin is the economical L'BRI Pure and Natural skin products. Use Cleansing Lotion, Freshener, and Moisture Lotion in that order once or twice a day. Learn more about how your face can look it's best at: www.jillj.lbrionline.com

BE HEALTHY: You know what junk food is, stop eating it. Instead of taking expensive vitamins that seldom do anything, use the low cost Dr. Schulze's Super Food Plus. You can get it from American Botanical Pharmacy. Learn what the best diet is for you. See the web site: www.herbdoc.com

BE STRONG: One must be strong to drive to the gig, load equipment, set it up, entertain for hours, load equipment, and drive home. Exercise 1-2 hours every day: run, bike, swim, walk, and lift weights. In addition, do the "5 Tibetan Energy Rejuvenation Exercises" . Look for them on the web at: www.lifeevents.org

STOP SMOKING: Read what it says on your pack of cigarettes. Get help: www.smokefree.gov