I have suffered for four months with this.My son is an MD,and has been corrst by stating I need to rest this,but now I find mild exercise helpful too.

Still,I am seeing a hand specialist next Monday.It is just about better,but I want to have it "Imaged" and make sure I can ultimately play for lengthly times,once I rehab it....Correctly,this time!

It was my fault originally,as I paid little attention to proper practice and technique,as well as pushing too much weight at the gym,on the same days I'd be practicing bar chords alot.

I know how stupid I have been,but hopefully I can be back to normal....

"Normal",sheesh....that was such a great feeling!

Btw,has any of you folks had similar issues?And gotten back to normal?

I'm finding sniffing my OM-1A sound hole to be not enough lately.

Best regards

Various aches now and then, no real pain. Also have pushed weights regulariy for decades and no hand problems with that. Hope all clears up soon.

Acupucture, from a truly qualified practitioner.

ML.

Hi Magic,
I've had this from time to time as well and have found the following helpful. As Mark EL cites, acupuncture can really help. In the short term, limiting use is important. But gradually stretching the area (pre-warmed by hot water when possible) in all directions on a regular basis can be the long term, at-home remedy. There's a philosophical issue too, at least with me, being too goal oriented with emphasis on strength over paying attention to other things more subtle.
Good side of this as I see it, you at least have a nice sound hole to snuggle up to.
Best of Luck in your recovery,
Rod

Well thanks good folks.Very appreciative!!

Good news is that today I had the hand imaged,and asked a load of questions of a "real" hand specialist.First off,I was told it is PERFECT and HEALTHY!!!!WHEW!!

4 months of worry,and only looking at my guitars.I was very stupid about my practice,with little break time or days off....

Very silly of me...but...I learned a very valuable lesson.

Anyway,my Dr said that normal every day activity is about all that we need for good hand health,but if playing a guitar,the actual playing will be enough to build up the hand.With proper attention to not over doing things.

I go to the gym,and was told normal weight training is "A-OK".So...

I'm baaack.Thank God!!

Now I'm going to make a nice donation to a favorite charity.Something I'd promised myself I needed to do,in thanks.

best to all

My wrist problems got so bad I had to quit gigging for a while. I started lifting weights and the problem was cured. Increased strength made all the difference for me (and I'm 60).

No joke, I've been out of commission for almost a year with just a few weeks here and there of playing. All due to a bad left shoulder from years of playing guitar... and my hand is not feeling all that well either... just wish I had it all back and could go back to playing 2-3 hours a day. It is a shame, the music is still in my head and I will get back to it someday soon I hope. Strengthening is a good ideal, I wish I would have done more of that in the first place. Strengthen all muscles involved in playing, not just a few things... swimming helps too. You just can't overdo things when you are recovering from injury... slow but steady wins the race.