My pinky hurts.

[Grooveman1961]

Hello all

I'm noticing that my aches from the third knuckle down through my wrist. like tendon problems or something?

I've been playing around 15 years, this has come on in the last six months or so. anyone experienced this?

[stanknuckle]

I have! I stopped playing for about a month and concentrated on hand stretches. I had the preliminary stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you don't take care of your hands by warming up with stretching your arms hands and fingers, you may end up with carpal syndrome. When stretching also concentrate on breathing. Do you hold your breath when you play?

[Grooveman1961]

Thanks for the reply stanknuckle.

I hadn't payed attention before you asked about holding my breath. So at a gig this weekend, I noticed that I do sometimes hold my breath. I also don't stretch. I do warm up for about 10 minutes, starting with slow scales, working up to faster speeds.

What stretches do you use?

[stanknuckle]

Remember this, do not cause yourself pain when stretching!
1.Pretend you are praying, keep the entire length of your fingers together and seperate your palms until you feel a light stretch in your fingers. Hold that position for about 15 seconds. Your fingers wil naturally spread themselves apart. Repeat several times.
2. Basic tricep stretches
3. Finger hyperextensions (gently grip each finger and slide your hand to the finger tip. This basically pulls your fingers outwards). DO NOT HURT YOURSELF! Breathe whilst stretching.
There's some good web sites for hand stretches that typists use. Also, I pratice basic major scales very slowly so that I concentrate on my breathing. I have been working on this aspect for several months and have noticed a big change in that I can play for longer and smoother without any pain.

[BullHorn]

Wonderful tips, thanks!