Painful finger pads

[jezzatakla]

Hi Everyone, hope you're all well. I've been playing for over 60 years and just lately I've noticed my fingers often hurt especially on the bass strings. Also my barre chords are not as good as they have been for the last 60 years. I suspect it's old age creeping in. Bah! And double Bah!! Many of you gave me some nice compliments about a tune called "Day trip to Byblos" and I hope this shows I am a fairly competent guitarist, so it's not newbies fingers that are causing the problem. Anyone got any ideas about fixing my fingers? I don't know what I'd do if I had to stop playing....Sorry I'm whining. It's a bit late, but Happy New Year to you all. Cheers

 

[davenumber2]

Lighter strings and/or tuning down a step might help.

 

[Wilmywood]

Jezza, I have rheumatoid arthritis so I definitely feel your pain especially with the bar chords. I have done two things - I use a hand squeeze exerciser to keep finger strength up, and sometimes don't bar all the way across the fretboard, leaving the A and low E strings open and just avoid them. As far as the finger pads, can't help you there other than move up a weight in strings and tune down a step, and capo at the 2nd fret to improve action.

 

[HeyMikey]

If you are not playing regularly or starting back up after some time off, then I found this product helps. It will last a few days and then you reapply. After a week of regular practice you should be back to normal.

Rock-Tips Medical-Grade Liquid Callus Formula

Rock-Tips Medical-Grade Liquid Callus Formula - A Medical-Grade alternative to super glue! Fingertip Protection For Musicians Rock-Tips helps build calluses in addition to protecting sore and damaged fingertips. Rock-Tips is a specially formulated, non-toxic application for use in protecting...

www.stringsandbeyond.com

 

[jezzatakla]

Lighter strings and/or tuning down a step might help.

Thanks for that, but unfortunately I've tried this already to no avail. I appreciate your reply.

 

[jezzatakla]

If you are not playing regularly or starting back up after some time off, then I found this product helps. It will last a few days and then you reapply. After a week of regular practice you should be back to normal.

Rock-Tips Medical-Grade Liquid Callus Formula

Rock-Tips Medical-Grade Liquid Callus Formula - A Medical-Grade alternative to super glue! Fingertip Protection For Musicians Rock-Tips helps build calluses in addition to protecting sore and damaged fingertips. Rock-Tips is a specially formulated, non-toxic application for use in protecting...

www.stringsandbeyond.com

Thanks Mikey,
I play every day and the pain is deep in the pad not on the skin. Sometimes it's almost like an electric shock However, I will take a look at the product you have kindly pointed me towards.

 

[jezzatakla]

Jezza, I have rheumatoid arthritis so I definitely feel your pain especially with the bar chords. I have done two things - I use a hand squeeze exerciser to keep finger strength up, and sometimes don't bar all the way across the fretboard, leaving the A and low E strings open and just avoid them. As far as the finger pads, can't help you there other than move up a weight in strings and tune down a step, and capo at the 2nd fret to improve action.

Thanks Wilmywood,
Yes I've got arthritis in my fingers too! Bummer getting old. I have started using a capo at the 2nd fret for a while now to shorten the scale length and you're right it does lower the action. I guess having played over such a long time frame has probably damaged the tissue under the skin. However, have you seen Keith Richard's fingers?? It's amazing that he can play at all....so I guess perhaps I should stop whining. As Frank Zappa said " Shaddap and play your guitar". Cheers, and I hope your arthritis won't stop you playing.
Cheers...Jerry

 

[Cougar]

Hey Jerry, yeah, getting old is a bitch. There's always ibuprofen.

 

[jgmaute]

Due to a couple of injuries and surgeries I’ve had to go 2-3 months at a time without playing. I’ve found that Rock Tips really help. I’ve also had hand issues and found a great occupational therapist, OT, who helped me regain strength and flexibility in my hands. Best of luck to get back playing soon.

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Happens to me too. Just play through it.

 

[Stagefright]

I have noticed the same pain on my ring finger. Fortunately, it seems to be infrequent and I can adjust slightly to avoid the shock when it does occur. Like many other aches and pains, it is press on or surrender. I love making noise on my acoustic, so I find a way to manage.

 

[jezzatakla]

Hey Jerry, yeah, getting old is a bitch. There's always ibuprofen.

Double whammy!! I can't take Ibuprofen because I'm on anti-coagulants!! But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[jezzatakla]

I have noticed the same pain on my ring finger. Fortunately, it seems to be infrequent and I can adjust slightly to avoid the shock when it does occur. Like many other aches and pains, it is press on or surrender. I love making noise on my acoustic, so I find a way to manage.

Thanks for your reply. I do press on as I can't give up playing. I guess I'm careful because I don't want to make this (boring) condition any worse. One of my guitars is a Taylor GS Mini and it is probably the easiest to play because of the short scale and low action. I have a USA Guild D4 which has a great sound and a good action, but it's a bit too big for my stoopid arthritic hands. It's easier with a capo but maybe it's time to retire it?

 

[jezzatakla]

Happens to me too. Just play through it.

I do. Isn't getting old great? Sorry I shouldn't have assumed you are old . Whoops!

 

[jezzatakla]

Due to a couple of injuries and surgeries I’ve had to go 2-3 months at a time without playing. I’ve found that Rock Tips really help. I’ve also had hand issues and found a great occupational therapist, OT, who helped me regain strength and flexibility in my hands. Best of luck to get back playing soon.

Sorry to hear about your hand injuries/surgery. You really do make me feel like I'm whining!! I'm going to check out Rock Tips.I haven't stopped playing although it is painful sometimes...(Jerry!!! You're whining again)...Oh well.
Thanks for your encouragement. It's appreciated.
Cheers...Jerry

 

[Wilmywood]

Thanks for your reply. I do press on as I can't give up playing. I guess I'm careful because I don't want to make this (boring) condition any worse. One of my guitars is a Taylor GS Mini and it is probably the easiest to play because of the short scale and low action. I have a USA Guild D4 which has a great sound and a good action, but it's a bit too big for my stoopid arthritic hands. It's easier with a capo but maybe it's time to retire it?

Jezza, I'll say it again - best relief I found is heavier strings, tuned down a step and capo'd - although I find playing most of what I like a step down is actually more in my vocal range lol

 

[DougH]

Have you tried a classical style guitar? Wider neck, nylon strings make it a bit easier on the fingers and wrist.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I understand this pain. And I have tried custom lights and mediums tuned down, the latter is often worse on me. I always return to standard light gauge. Always.

I have heard a setup helps, if that has not been done in a while.

And I tend to 0 relief the neck with the truss rod, I like as little relief as possible, which sounds ironic.

 

[chazmo]

Thanks Mikey,
I play every day and the pain is deep in the pad not on the skin. Sometimes it's almost like an electric shock However, I will take a look at the product you have kindly pointed me towards.

I'd ask your doc about that, jezza. A sharp / shocking pain like that sounds a bit unusual to me. Of course, it probably is age related, as MANY of us can relate to. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Guild Man]

I'd ask your doc about that, jezza. A sharp / shocking pain like that sounds a bit unusual to me. Of course, it probably is age related, as MANY of us can relate to. Let us know what you find out.

I have the arthritis pretty good. Bar chords are out for good. Cowboy chords now and half ass open bar chords. I was a lead player for many years but that's gone to obviously. It has been a lot of fun returning to rythem. It's really been my favotite all this time. One door gets shut and another opens. But what a drag getting old!