Dealing with pain

Joyful Uke

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The thread on how to sell a MB got me thinking that it might be useful to have a thread on dealing with hand pain, shoulder pain, or other pain that might limit our playing at any time. There were some good suggestions in the MB thread, but possibly buried in there, and maybe there are some other suggestions that people might have?

Has anyone tried Alexander Technique? (I haven't, but it sounds promising.)

Some supplements were mentioned in the MB thread, and might be helpful for some.

I find acupuncture and magnets helpful. I'd be getting massages if it was in the budget, (it's not.)

What other ideas do people have?
 
My experience with Alexander technique is as a vocalist and choir director. In that domain it truly is excellent in making sure the body is in alignment. I believe similar principles apply to the guitar and fretting world especially with the left hand. Below are just some random thoughts as a music teacher and player myself.

Finding a natural thumb position for fretting is crucial. Thumb position should also be fluid and change depending on what you are doing.

Use the "tip-toes" of your fingers when fretting, I tell my kids to stand tippy toes on the board. The tip of your fingers apply the most direct efficient pressure when fretting, you'll feel it's boney can fleshy, which helps not to over fret.

It's ok to use a strap! This will ensure you don't over grip or mangle your body position just to hold the darn thing. It's taken me a year of playing daily ukulele to truly start feeling comfortable and tense free playing the uke without needing a strap.

Tension is bad! If you feel tension, work to re position yourself out of it.

Pain is bad - rest truly is the best medicine for playing pain at times.
 
The thread on how to sell a MB got me thinking that it might be useful to have a thread on dealing with hand pain, shoulder pain, or other pain that might limit our playing at any time. There were some good suggestions in the MB thread, but possibly buried in there, and maybe there are some other suggestions that people might have?

Has anyone tried Alexander Technique? (I haven't, but it sounds promising.)

Some supplements were mentioned in the MB thread, and might be helpful for some.

I find acupuncture and magnets helpful. I'd be getting massages if it was in the budget, (it's not.)

What other ideas do people have?
I am actually doing physical therapy for my left thumb, which has been hurting as hell for the past two months in the IP joint. It's gone so far that I cannot even rip a plastic bag of food open or open a normal can. So I went to the doctor, the Xray said nothing broken or no bone changes (so no osteoarthritis thankfully). Now, I go to a physical therapist who help me with rehab excersises. It's slowly been getting better.

Basically, I would suggest that you get a stress ball or make your own balloon with flour, even small excerises everyday will help prevent onset of pain. It's also a good idea if you work with a computer to avoid other injuries.
 
Since I am not a doctor, and I like safe non-toxic treatments, I think a warm paraffin bath like Thermabath can feel nice. Some people find it too warm (like my husband), but I can tolerate warmer temps and I find it soothing. When you peel off the soft wax, you can squeeze it in your had for some muscle conditioning. It is especially good in the colder seasons. I usually find it too hot for me in the summer.

–Lori
 
Episodes of strumming arm pain have got me thinking of preventative measures to try and see that I do not strain my arm again. While I keep busy during layoff, I'd rather be playing. Since the only treatment that really worked for me was time off from playing, I am now focusing on every possible way to make playing more comfortable. In the past, I could play slouched on the couch or hunched over on an uncomfortable stool. Now I am analyzing the best seating position and am gonna treat myself to a really comfortable and supportive armless chair. I think I'm also gonna get a better, more comfortable strap to prevent head drop and tension in my arms. In general, I am going to be more mindful of my body posture, so I can continue playing as long as possible.
 
So far I've been lucky - the only time I've had hand pain is when I was playing a uke that was too large of a scale for my little hands. I actually had to go to a doctor after spraining something in my left hand trying out a tenor, and my year-long attempt at playing an Ohta-San (scale length is in between concert and tenor) gave me chronic on-and-off left hand pain that has disappeared since I re-homed that uke.

I've actually had more issues with neck/back pain from playing, and the solution for this for me is: (1) ALWAYS use a strap (with a strap button), and (2) alternate sitting and standing. And, of course, (3) don't attempt to play a uke that's too big or too uncomfortable for your particular size and shape!
 
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I like safe non-toxic treatments ... paraffin ...

Hey Lori, I'm not so sure about the safety of paraffin - it's a petroleum derivative and the EPA has set exposure limits, so I wonder if it is absorbed through the skin. To really be on the safe side, maybe you could accomplish the same thing with something like beeswax?
 
One of the other music-related forums I visit has a strict policy regarding the recommendation of medical treatments ... simply put "DON'T DO IT".

If you have a medical problem, see a medical specialist ... you wouldn't take your soprano to your GP 'cos it won't tune properly ... the reverse applies.

Whilst no doubt most advice given would be of a positive nature and given in good faith, if there's an underlying issue or other undiagnosed symptom, unqualified advice could just aggravate the condition.

Just my tuppence-worth, if the Moderators deem this unsuitable I'm sure they'll delete it ;)
 
Episodes of strumming arm pain have got me thinking of preventative measures to try and see that I do not strain my arm again. While I keep busy during layoff, I'd rather be playing. Since the only treatment that really worked for me was time off from playing, I am now focusing on every possible way to make playing more comfortable. In the past, I could play slouched on the couch or hunched over on an uncomfortable stool. Now I am analyzing the best seating position and am gonna treat myself to a really comfortable and supportive armless chair. I think I'm also gonna get a better, more comfortable strap to prevent head drop and tension in my arms. In general, I am going to be more mindful of my body posture, so I can continue playing as long as possible.

If you have occasional, short lay offs, why not try a different instrument to keep making music. Something like harmonicas, tinwhistles or maybe even learn the words to some new songs--heck, music is music.
 
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That is an excellent idea. I would love to cultivate a completely different instrument for when ukeing is not possible. I had considered a small simple concertina.
 
Hey Lori, I'm not so sure about the safety of paraffin - it's a petroleum derivative and the EPA has set exposure limits, so I wonder if it is absorbed through the skin. To really be on the safe side, maybe you could accomplish the same thing with something like beeswax?
Thanks janeray1940. I know my doctors have mentioned it, and hadn't heard of any problems. I suppose you could wear gloves, and dip over them.
Bees wax is an interesting idea. Not sure if the melting temperature is different from paraffin. The heated tub is set to a certain temperature, and it doesn't seem to be adjustable (there may be some other versions that have that option). Anybody try bees wax hot dips?

–Lori
 
That is an excellent idea. I would love to cultivate a completely different instrument for when ukeing is not possible. I had considered a small simple concertina.

Yeah, I was interested in a concertina at one time. Anything that interests you will work as a temporary substitute for your Uke.

As I said before: Music is music . . .
 
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Chording a piano is very easy on the hands. The keyboard is one of the "music theory friendly" instruments and you can grow musically while giving your body a break. I go back and forth to avoid ( somewhat ) repetitive stress.
 
I have arthritis, topped by a left hand that was broken in four places. Pain is the norm, but some days are better than others. Weather is damp generally and that impacts.

These do the trick for me.
http://smile.amazon.com/MediBeads-x... hands&qid=1464004529&ref_=sr_1_6_a_it&sr=8-6

Not a fan of the content or of the microwave, but hot water shrivels the skin and it takes some time for the heat to penetrate.

Squeeze balls sometimes and sometimes a good warm hand massage with coconut oil - but there are times when rest is all that works. Sometimes two minutes will get things situated, sometimes two days is not enough, but if not ready then I play a cd.

My guitar is easier for me than the uke, so I warm up first.
 
These do the trick for me.
http://smile.amazon.com/MediBeads-x... hands&qid=1464004529&ref_=sr_1_6_a_it&sr=8-6

Not a fan of the content or of the microwave, but hot water shrivels the skin and it takes some time for the heat to penetrate.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just bought one to give it a try, and am looking forward to it getting here next week.

The mention of hammer dulcimer stirred up my old desire to play one. A friend had one years ago, and I always wanted one. No room for one at the moment, but something more to daydream about. LOL.
 
I live in a world of pain but I'm not saying that to complain. Life is good except for that! It's just the way it is. I just deal with it. Some days are better than others. I miss the days when I could take Oxycontin. The doc I had knew I did not abuse it. About a bottle a year. I only needed it when on a long excursion to an amusement park or something. New stinkin' doc say's NO. One knows when I'm feeling super bad as I don't play my uke at all. Which is really unusual for me. I fear the day of no ukeing!
 
Doesn't filling a hot tub require a lotta beer? A doctor would be less expensive. :cheers: :eek:ld:
you must be on subsidized insurance. beer is much cheaper for me. seriously though, pain is no fun, sometimes my arthritis is so bad it hurts to play. i do it anyway, probably not smart. pain is your bodies way of telling you something is wrong.
 
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