Osteo Bi-Flex has worked wonders on my joints. I use the pill form and really like it. Ibuprofen helps a little since its an anti-inflammatory. Also, I have a BIL that uses the copper bracelets and he says they work. I haven’t tried them but he’s been using them for years and notices a difference if he doesn’t wear them.
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Aging hands.
- Thread starter Newby6string
- Start date
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- Tags
- hand pain
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
there are natural supplements like boswellia, arnica, and turmeric, and you might want to look at the Plant Paradox diet, and the Bulletproof diet. I got arthritis and tendonitis 20 years ago and I have fought it effectively.
to keep your brain look at Plant Paradox and Bulletproof diets
I'm now 51 and I have some hand pain these days from injuries to my wrists when I was 13 that took a while to heal even with the advantage of youth. Until about 2 years ago I was playing 3 hour gigs several times a month BUT I did pre-medicate with ibuprofen and CBD topicals.
Here's my big list for dealing with hand pain now.
prevention:
1. I'm selling my basses with more than 4 strings or with skinny necks.
1a. lighten up your strings. Thomastik/LaBella provide good options.
2. try to avoid sugar and dairy if you can.
3. try to avoid alcohol.
4. get enough sleep.
5. orthopedic brace
treatment:
1. Topical CBD's
2. oral CBD's
3. topical NSAID's (voltaren gel)
4. NSAID's - ibuprofen/naproxen/etc
5. compression wraps - I particularly like the self adhesive ace style bandages at HEB. If you do not have an HEB....you are missing out. Try CVS/Walgreens
You may want to see a rheumatologist. Your GP is probably only useful in providing a referral for this sort of thing. An occupational therapist might be able to provide some help as well.
as always YMMV
Here's my big list for dealing with hand pain now.
prevention:
1. I'm selling my basses with more than 4 strings or with skinny necks.
1a. lighten up your strings. Thomastik/LaBella provide good options.
2. try to avoid sugar and dairy if you can.
3. try to avoid alcohol.
4. get enough sleep.
5. orthopedic brace
treatment:
1. Topical CBD's
2. oral CBD's
3. topical NSAID's (voltaren gel)
4. NSAID's - ibuprofen/naproxen/etc
5. compression wraps - I particularly like the self adhesive ace style bandages at HEB. If you do not have an HEB....you are missing out. Try CVS/Walgreens
You may want to see a rheumatologist. Your GP is probably only useful in providing a referral for this sort of thing. An occupational therapist might be able to provide some help as well.
as always YMMV
I do topical. I also hydrate and cut off caffeine and salt 6 hours before gigs.
Age 54. Stopped alcohol and sugar. That has put me back in condition enough to do four hour shows, and I'm doing as many of them as I can now, because both my parents have the same thing and it's not like there is a cure. Or even a decent fix. At some point within a decade or so, I'm not going to be able to play any longer.
Gonna make damn sure I don't have a bunch of pricey gear by that point!
I believe you are probably correct in thinking it’s arthritis but, better safe than sorry, so seeing a doctor about it isn’t a bad idea. That said, I think a repetitive stress injury is highly unlikely given that the same discomfort is occurring in both thumbs.
If it were me, in addition to anti-inflammatory meds/topicals (including CBD cream/lotion/oil), here’s what I would try for starters:
If it were me, in addition to anti-inflammatory meds/topicals (including CBD cream/lotion/oil), here’s what I would try for starters:
- For your fretting hand — temporarily switch to super light gauge/flexible strings and practice using the least amount of ”grip” pressure possible to fret each note cleanly, being very slow and methodical about it and consciously focusing on how it feels to fret each note with the minimum pressure needed, and then do the same thing with your thumb in the correct position behind but not touching the neck.
- For your plucking hand — try the true floating thumb technique (i.e., thumb always riding over the top of the strings, not alternately anchoring on the different strings).
First thing to do is get a doc to look at it.Xray etc to see what exactly the problem is first.
A lot of the suggestions are good except taking ibuprofen. Ibuprofen actually blocks the joints ability to absorb chondroitin and can further destroy the connective tissue in the joint. The pain will go away while taking it but will hasten the destruction of the joint.Hense more pain and more ibuprofin further destroying the joint,liver etc.Creating more inflammation and more pain.
Turmeric and other herbs as mentioned before can help with the inflammation. A product called Zyflamend can help a lot.Its an herbal concoction that can help with inflammation.It has 10-15 different herbs in it.If you can take it.It bothers some peoples stomach/digestive tract.Amazon sells it or visit your local herbal health food store.
A lot of the suggestions are good except taking ibuprofen. Ibuprofen actually blocks the joints ability to absorb chondroitin and can further destroy the connective tissue in the joint. The pain will go away while taking it but will hasten the destruction of the joint.Hense more pain and more ibuprofin further destroying the joint,liver etc.Creating more inflammation and more pain.
Turmeric and other herbs as mentioned before can help with the inflammation. A product called Zyflamend can help a lot.Its an herbal concoction that can help with inflammation.It has 10-15 different herbs in it.If you can take it.It bothers some peoples stomach/digestive tract.Amazon sells it or visit your local herbal health food store.
It started with the thumbs 8 years ago (age 60) and has progressed through both hands. Therapy helps, but as mentioned before keeping them moving seems to reduce inflammation and pain. I down a couple of Aleve before a gig and 5 minutes before a set I hit the Xcellerator for a few rounds to warm up the chops (assuming the management left the heater circuit on).
Jake
Jake
Being 58 years old, this is what I have done:
1) Changed from a 34-inch bass to a 33-inch bass to alleviate tension on the strings and give relief to how much I have to spread my fretting hand to properly fret the "cash register" (my left index and pinky are both starting to curve in, so I don't have the reach I used to);
2) Made sure the new bass had a proper back of the neck profile as well as crown radius and rounded edges so I could adjust my left hand depending on how it feels during the evening, including (gasp) relaxing in a "fence post" grip if need be to give rest to the thumb and injuries from an old dislocation injury;
3) Lighten the weight overall of the bass so there is less shoulder and back stress;
4) Wider leather strap to help avoid any nerve pinching in the fretting arm or hand;
5) Changed from traditional strings to "balanced tension" strings so that it feels comfortable from string-to-string; BT sets tend to have slightly lighter gauges on the D and A strings than traditional sets.
6) Consulting some teaching friends of mine to make sure my posture and technique are efficient and that I haven't acquired any bad habits (other than the occasional "fencepost" to give my left thumb a rest) that would decrease efficiency and actually make matters worse;
7) Changing to lighter amplifiers and speakers that have the more efficient "Class D" circuitry and Neo speakers, and installing casters on those larger cabs that do not already have them;
8) Asking for help when lifting equipment from floor to stage to take stress off everything from hands to back;
9) Most important: maintaining a healthy attitude of staying relaxed and having fun at gigs, since I still get to rock gigs on a regular basis, including locally and regionally, including bars, corporate events, fundraisers for the regional symphony and opera, concerts in Mexico for the Sister City to where I live and in Zihua to raise money for the schools, and in Japan for the Sister Cities cultural exchange, among others, and including helping youth learn to play.
1) Changed from a 34-inch bass to a 33-inch bass to alleviate tension on the strings and give relief to how much I have to spread my fretting hand to properly fret the "cash register" (my left index and pinky are both starting to curve in, so I don't have the reach I used to);
2) Made sure the new bass had a proper back of the neck profile as well as crown radius and rounded edges so I could adjust my left hand depending on how it feels during the evening, including (gasp) relaxing in a "fence post" grip if need be to give rest to the thumb and injuries from an old dislocation injury;
3) Lighten the weight overall of the bass so there is less shoulder and back stress;
4) Wider leather strap to help avoid any nerve pinching in the fretting arm or hand;
5) Changed from traditional strings to "balanced tension" strings so that it feels comfortable from string-to-string; BT sets tend to have slightly lighter gauges on the D and A strings than traditional sets.
6) Consulting some teaching friends of mine to make sure my posture and technique are efficient and that I haven't acquired any bad habits (other than the occasional "fencepost" to give my left thumb a rest) that would decrease efficiency and actually make matters worse;
7) Changing to lighter amplifiers and speakers that have the more efficient "Class D" circuitry and Neo speakers, and installing casters on those larger cabs that do not already have them;
8) Asking for help when lifting equipment from floor to stage to take stress off everything from hands to back;
9) Most important: maintaining a healthy attitude of staying relaxed and having fun at gigs, since I still get to rock gigs on a regular basis, including locally and regionally, including bars, corporate events, fundraisers for the regional symphony and opera, concerts in Mexico for the Sister City to where I live and in Zihua to raise money for the schools, and in Japan for the Sister Cities cultural exchange, among others, and including helping youth learn to play.
Depressing? No! Encouraging that we can all still gig as we desire. Yes, adjusting for circumstances, but still gigging!Most depressing thread on TB today …
I'm 51, hands hurt sometimes but not usually. Keeping some suggestions here in mind from our elder statesmen who have a decade or two on me!
Nearly 69yo 2-year student here with widespread but not severe arthritis, mostly from a too violent youth.
Micguy nailed it. Physical Therapy from a qualified professional.
Don't kill your liver with NSAIDS (or booze!). Doctors don't know squat. Have your doctor refer you to a physical therapist. MDs exist to refer you to specialists who will actually help you.
PT ain't something the therapist does TO you, except once to show you how to do the exercises and stretches they prescribe. This is after they diagnose the muscle imbalance that's hurting you. YOU have to spend the time every day though, if you want to keep playing.
Hie ye to a PT ASAP. Can't fix everything but it keeps me making my 'music'.
Good luck. I've been there.
Micguy nailed it. Physical Therapy from a qualified professional.
Don't kill your liver with NSAIDS (or booze!). Doctors don't know squat. Have your doctor refer you to a physical therapist. MDs exist to refer you to specialists who will actually help you.
PT ain't something the therapist does TO you, except once to show you how to do the exercises and stretches they prescribe. This is after they diagnose the muscle imbalance that's hurting you. YOU have to spend the time every day though, if you want to keep playing.
Hie ye to a PT ASAP. Can't fix everything but it keeps me making my 'music'.
Good luck. I've been there.
Last year I went back east and hung with some old musical compatriots who also still gig, it was fun talking about being old men and the things we adjust to continue gigging.
At 58, my hands have started hurting a little all the time, playing is mildly painful, but I'm trying to keep at it. I notice if I wrench or otherwise overextend my thumbs, it's particularly painful. Anybody found some benefit just switching to short scale? I've decided that my next (maybe last) build will be a short scale, and maybe semi hollowbody or chambered to keep it light. Been meaning to try CBD oil too.
having had some hand problems, my question is how is your neck? do you spend a lot of time on a laptop or staring down at your phone? is your neck a spasming mess? if so, that could be part of the problem. (all if the nerves for your arms and hands come out of your neck/upper spine.)
also, if your core muscles are shot, you might need to shore them up. (they support your back, which supports your neck.)
playing sitting down might also help.
i’m not a doctor and this is all anecdotal, but i had a lot of problems in my early 50s (like thought it might be over). i’m now 63. my hands are much better now. (p.s. i play 34-inch-scale, 19mm 6-string basses.)
also, if your core muscles are shot, you might need to shore them up. (they support your back, which supports your neck.)
playing sitting down might also help.
i’m not a doctor and this is all anecdotal, but i had a lot of problems in my early 50s (like thought it might be over). i’m now 63. my hands are much better now. (p.s. i play 34-inch-scale, 19mm 6-string basses.)
66 here, had a ganglion cyst removed from my right wrist in late spring, didn't go well. Have also been diagnosed with carpal tunnel on my right hand. SUCKAGE! They want to operate again, I'm declining until I just have no other choice. I've started wearing a wrist brace at night and will be picking up an elbow brace as well to lessen the strain on the ulnar nerve.
I'm also taking meloxicam , an anti-inflammatory , and using CBD oil topically. The CBD does a great short term job of taking away pain and stiffness. It is not a cure though. Years ago, when I started experiencing pain and stiffness in my right hand, an old geezer told me to start mass dosing vitamin B. I talked with my Dr about it. He said he didn't think it would help, but that it wouldn't hurt me to try. After about 3 weeks of daily dosing vitamin B, the problem went away. Not sure if it was psychosomatic or if it actually did help.
Hope you can find something to help, a trip to your Dr should be your first step. From there, look into alternatives. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Just be safe with any alternative cures you might find. Best of luck!
I'm also taking meloxicam , an anti-inflammatory , and using CBD oil topically. The CBD does a great short term job of taking away pain and stiffness. It is not a cure though. Years ago, when I started experiencing pain and stiffness in my right hand, an old geezer told me to start mass dosing vitamin B. I talked with my Dr about it. He said he didn't think it would help, but that it wouldn't hurt me to try. After about 3 weeks of daily dosing vitamin B, the problem went away. Not sure if it was psychosomatic or if it actually did help.
Hope you can find something to help, a trip to your Dr should be your first step. From there, look into alternatives. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Just be safe with any alternative cures you might find. Best of luck!
