Painful finger pads

[Westerly Wood]

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!

I find a capo on 2nd or 3rd fret can solve most barre chrod requirements, and when I stumbled upon the open Bmin9 chord, well, that really changed things for me

 

[portsider]

Happens to me too. Just play through it.

That's my approach.
Les Paul played til he died. He had arthritic hands and adjusted as needed.

 

[Boomstick]

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 have had the same issue after playing a while. I spent 6 hours at my dad's last Saturday mostly playing a bunch of his guitars, and I re-strang one of them and my finger tips were pretty much numb the rest of the day. I'm pretty sure this is because I haven't got to play too much or too long and split between acoustic and electric with light gauge a bit too and my calyces just aren't there, which I read can do that. It was deeper in the skin and my fingers were numb, maybe even a little bit swollen (my ring seemed tight).

I would probably ask your doctor. I've had other hand problems in the past that aren't what they used to be, but rear their head time to time. I couldn't make a fist with my left hand for two years and had no health insurance, but that improved itself. Now I just can't play thin necks or necks with a certain round C shape or I get hand cramps. So I am on long term prednisone for 6 months for another condition and I am concerned what the effects will be when I stop it.

 

[jezzatakla]

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

Thanks Doug. Yes I bought a Suzuki classical guitar recently, but it doesn't seem to help...Sorry, after you've taken the trouble to make a suggestion. I do appreciate it. It's weird because the nylon strings, especially the treble ones are more painful than light gauge steel strings. This is counter intuitive I realise as the general consensus is that nylon strings are softer on the fingers.
Thanks again for your reply.

 

[jezzatakla]

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.

The GP said I could have a steroid injection (for the arthritis) However, this is only a short term solution, so I declined. He also thought that the pain in the finger pads may be related to the joint pain. Maybe I'll give turmeric a go. I really appreciate your reply... Thanks.

 

[Boomstick]

The GP said I could have a steroid injection (for the arthritis) However, this is only a short term solution, so I declined. He also thought that the pain in the finger pads may be related to the joint pain. Maybe I'll give turmeric a go. I really appreciate your reply... Thanks.

When my hand issues began to clear up, I quit smoking and started eating a lot of spicy foods (unrelated, my schedule just shifted so I was cooking dinner every night). Turmeric should have a similar effect as well, so it couldn't hurt.

 

[jezzatakla]

I have had the same issue after playing a while. I spent 6 hours at my dad's last Saturday mostly playing a bunch of his guitars, and I re-strang one of them and my finger tips were pretty much numb the rest of the day. I'm pretty sure this is because I haven't got to play too much or too long and split between acoustic and electric with light gauge a bit too and my calyces just aren't there, which I read can do that. It was deeper in the skin and my fingers were numb, maybe even a little bit swollen (my ring seemed tight).

I would probably ask your doctor. I've had other hand problems in the past that aren't what they used to be, but rear their head time to time. I couldn't make a fist with my left hand for two years and had no health insurance, but that improved itself. Now I just can't play thin necks or necks with a certain round C shape or I get hand cramps. So I am on long term prednisone for 6 months for another condition and I am concerned what the effects will be when I stop it.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about your health problems. I know what you mean about thin necks. I had a Telecaster with a baseball bat neck and it was a dream to play, but what did I do? I sold it to a friend. I've asked him if I could buy it back but he just smiled and said no! It's strange, you'd think a thin neck would be easier to play, but I've found fat ones are best for fretting etc.

 

[davenumber2]

These look pretty silly and I have no idea if they would work but may be worth a try.

Fingertip Protectors

 

[jezzatakla]

That's my approach.
Les Paul played til he died. He had arthritic hands and adjusted as needed.

Thanks for your reply. I guess I'm worried that I might cause further damage by not resting....However, sometimes I'll play for quite long periods. Les Paul and Keith Richards are two of probably many whose example I should adopt. Cheers...Jerry

 

[jezzatakla]

These look pretty silly and I have no idea if they would work but may be worth a try.

Fingertip Protectors

Thanks. I have read some good and some negative reviews of this type of product but as yet haven't tried them. You're right, they do look pretty silly, so they should fit right in with my generally silly demeanor. An example of my looking silly is here if you want to see it:

 

[jezzatakla]

I find a capo on 2nd or 3rd fret can solve most barre chrod requirements, and when I stumbled upon the open Bmin9 chord, well, that really changed things for me

Bmin9 tuning is a real favorite with me. I love DADGAD as well.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

When my fingers started hurting often, I bought a cheap squareneck just to see if I could get the hang of it.

It's nothing like playing a standard guitar, but it's great fun and a practical hedge against the day I just can't fret anymore. And though it's mainly thought of as a bluegrass instrument, it's good for folk, rock, jazz, and blues, too. (And if you're interested in lapsteel, it's played the same way, but usually with jazzy tunings.)

If you decide to give squareneck a try, here's a little-talked-about tip: A cheap resonator guitar with upgraded cone and bridge sounds just as good as a booteek squareneck.

Even cheaper: You can buy a nut insert and put it in a standard guitar -- an easy, risk-free way way to find out whether it's for you.

And here's a final bit of encouragement from a pro: Arthritic Keith Richards says every new pain in his hands just teaches him a new way to play.

 

[portsider]

Thanks. I have read some good and some negative reviews of this type of product but as yet haven't tried them. You're right, they do look pretty silly, so they should fit right in with my generally silly demeanor. An example of my looking silly is here if you want to see it:

That's some picking! Like John Fahey if he was born in the Balkans .

 

[RBSinTo]

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

jezzatakla,
You would get good advice from a Physiotherapist about finger-strengthening exercises.
As for your fingertips, I recall a few years ago that a major league baseball pitcher who suffered from blisters regularly soaked his fingers in pickle juice to toughen up the skin. I can't speak to this treatment's effectiveness, but I suppose it couldn't hurt.
RBSinTo

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks. I have read some good and some negative reviews of this type of product but as yet haven't tried them. You're right, they do look pretty silly, so they should fit right in with my generally silly demeanor. An example of my looking silly is here if you want to see it:

Love it Jezz. We don't know that one in East Texas, but fabulous fingerstyle.

I'm no doctor, but have had hand surgery (trigger finger tendon release), and it seems my ailment is rearing it's head once again. Not only is the stiffness in my finger returning, it's kind of spreading up into my wrist and into my thumb along with a burning sensation in the palm of my hand. I spoke with my hand doctor a month or so about it and he is suspecting carpel tunnel syndrome and told me that could be responsible for my initial ailment. When it becomes unbearable, consult with a good hand surgeon. Good luck with your hand.

West

 

[jezzatakla]

Love it Jezz. We don't know that one in East Texas, but fabulous fingerstyle.

I'm no doctor, but have had hand surgery (trigger finger tendon release), and it seems my ailment is rearing it's head once again. Not only is the stiffness in my finger returning, it's kind of spreading up into my wrist and into my thumb along with a burning sensation in the palm of my hand. I spoke with my hand doctor a month or so about it and he is suspecting carpel tunnel syndrome and told me that could be responsible for my initial ailment. When it becomes unbearable, consult with a good hand surgeon. Good luck with your hand.

West

Hi West,
Thanks for your kind comments. Quite a few people have mentioned their hand problems and I must admit it makes me feel like a bit of a charlatan, given that my hand problem is very minor compared to yours. I guess what I'm worried about is exacerbating the problem by continuing to play, but guitar is a way of life and not a hobby, and stopping playing is just not tenable or I'd go mad.
You wished me luck with my hand but I'd say you are much more deserving so....Very Best of luck with your hand/arm problem.

 

[jezzatakla]

jezzatakla,
You would get good advice from a Physiotherapist about finger-strengthening exercises.
As for your fingertips, I recall a few years ago that a major league baseball pitcher who suffered from blisters regularly soaked his fingers in pickle juice to toughen up the skin. I can't speak to this treatment's effectiveness, but I suppose it couldn't hurt.
RBSinTo

Thanks for your reply. I went to see my chiropractor who is very honest and very competent. He gave me some exercises to perform but tried to persuade me to give playing a rest for a couple of months. I lasted about a day!! But I have tried to limit the amount of time I do play.
I've been playing for about 60 years so my fingers are pretty tough skinwise, but the pains I get are deeper into the pad. I was just writing to West R Lee explaining that I feel like a charlatan as quite a few of the people that have responded have much worse hand conditions than mine. All the best...Jerry

 

[jezzatakla]

That's some picking! Like John Fahey if he was born in the Balkans .

I used to listen to John Fahey for hours and I think I had most of his albums. Before he died he claimed that most of his earlier stuff was rubbish and that his album "Hitomi" was indicative of the style he wanted to pursue. I've tried to get into "Hitomi" but I'm afraid I'm not a fan. I love his earlier music though. Born in the Balkans? Sounds like a Bruce Springsteen song....Oh yeah, wrong area.
Cheers...Jerry

 

[jezzatakla]

When my fingers started hurting often, I bought a cheap squareneck just to see if I could get the hang of it.

It's nothing like playing a standard guitar, but it's great fun and a practical hedge against the day I just can't fret anymore. And though it's mainly thought of as a bluegrass instrument, it's good for folk, rock, jazz, and blues, too. (And if you're interested in lapsteel, it's played the same way, but usually with jazzy tunings.)

If you decide to give squareneck a try, here's a little-talked-about tip: A cheap resonator guitar with upgraded cone and bridge sounds just as good as a booteek squareneck.

Even cheaper: You can buy a nut insert and put it in a standard guitar -- an easy, risk-free way way to find out whether it's for you.

And here's a final bit of encouragement from a pro: Arthritic Keith Richards says every new pain in his hands just teaches him a new way to play.

Thanks for that Charlie! A friend has actually only recently given me a lapsteel. So I'm going to give it a go. There are some amazing lapsteel players out there in Youtube land.
That's a great Keith Richards quote, And it makes me feel a little ashamed about grizzling about my relatively minor hand condition.
I really appreciate you taking the time to suggest ways to modify a guitar.
All the best...Jerry

 

[Stuball48]

Wish my fingers could that. Very impressed with that style of playing and what your sore finger pads sacrifice to make it all work.