Musicians need to practice and perform at the 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 with incorrect (for them) posture 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 and neck when you play. Use a strap.

 

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SUPPORT BOOKS:

YOU ARE YOUR INSTRUMENT
  - Julie Liebermann

PLAYING (LESS) HURT
  - Janet Horvath

THE ATHLETIC MUSICIAN
(A guide to playing without pain)
  - Barbara Paul and Christine Harrison

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