Hand cramping while playing

[Rokket]

I've seen this posted before, but I can't find the thread... I have been having a problem lately with my hand cramping up while I'm playing. I warm up before I get started, and I know it's a techinique problem, I just don't know how to solve it. Is there a certain thing I need to do to overcome this? I know it's not normal, and I have been playing for over 20 years, and this has only started just recently, like in the last couple months. Sometimes I get it, other times I can play for hours and nothing bad happens. Any ideas? This is cramping more than my hand. I should mention it is my fretting hand, too. Thanks for the help!

[Cloneboy Studio]

Possibility exists that you may be using improper playing technique. Monitor what and how you are playing so you can see what was going on before you started cramping up vs. when you didn't cramp up.

[demensia]

I'm not sure if it helps cramping, but gloucosimine and msm help my hands to feel better. If you've been playing that long and its just recently a problem, its probably something you should talk to your doctor about.

[NYMorningstar]

Eat more bananas and stay hydrated.

[dejjazz]

hi guys. i m new to your forum and its a pleasure being a part of it.however, the problem which you are facing is quite simillar to the one i have with my hands.i happen to be a multi-instrumentalist ( drums, bass, saxaphone, flute, clarinet,keyboards, percussions including the tabla,and vocals.)from kolkata, india.i have been having this problem for nearly a year, and i feel the most important thing that needs to be done to solve this problem is to relax while playing your instrument.another way out is to do some finger stretching excercises. these have helped me to a great extent and i m much better now.

[leddy]

Originally Posted by Rokket

I know it's a techinique problem, I just don't know how to solve it.

Find a serious teacher. You can't guess about technique. You need an objective view of your playing. Even if you know what proper technique is, you can't be sure you're there. Tiger Woods uses a teacher. No matter what level of playing you're at, an objective insight will always be of value.

[Rokket]

The guidence I receive on this BBS is invaluable to me. I will consider all your advice. I don't know about the teacher thing. I am stationed in Japan, and while I may be able to find one, we may not be able to understand each other... sigh I will keep all of this in mind. I hope it's nothing serious!

[tollbooth]

hey rokket

there's a whole stack of things this could be - i have a feeling i read that you're about the same age as me (apologies if i'm waaaaay off!) about 37 yeah?

i went to se my quack the other day about a neck problem i was having and his sagely 'years of medical training' advice was - "well paul - you're not exactly the teeny bopper you think you are!" (i never said he was trendy!) - he pointed out that with any activity where limbs stay inthe same position there's a danger of locking up a bit more than you did. but he also thanked me for coming in as it was always better to be safe than sorry.

his advice was to keep things moving, take lots of little breaks, exercise in between sessions - (i was advised to specifically roll my neck round even just sat at the computer or atching telly etc - i'm doing it NOW!)

i use a little device called a RiffGrip to keep my fingers toned when i'm not playing and that helps a lot too. i think it also gets called a guitar finger trainer - it's the one with four or five little pads and springs to push down. that helped me an awful lot.

are your hands stiff generally - or is this something that happens while you are playing? i know this sounds a bit odd - but i cut wheat out of my diet a year ago and that helped my fretting fingers no end - may not be for you but it shows there are loads of reasons!

mind you - given where you are stationed, you may well find no end of bizarre cures! can i just caution you about anything in a packet that cites the words "monkey" "gland" or "sexual organs" anywhere in the ingredient list! (hahahah - i come from a country that waaay more than its fair hare of disgusting culinary habits - what do i know?)

that said - green leaf tea is very very good for the circulation. and sake will help you not care! hmm - japan - good for oily fish too - also good for joints and arthritis due to high levels of omega3 fatty acids

sorry - what was my post about again.

tune in tomorrow for the next nutritional advice column!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyway my friend - hope it sorts itself and it doesn't give you too many problems - please keep us posted!

very best wishes

paul d, uk

[leddy]

Massage therapy may help too. Every chronic pain I have had responds well to massage by a good therapist. Talk to a physical therapist as well.

[topolino]

drop your shoulders and relax. let your hands sort of dangle from where ever you put them

[Rokket]

All good advice that I will definitely follow. My hands due tend to ache in the morning when I get up, and I think it's due to poor circulation. I think I need to get my ass off the couch more and out into the fresh air and look at all you have mentioned. It's more than likely my fault.... Thanks all!

[Rudy2]

As someone else already said, stay hydrated. Alcohol and caffeine rob your system of fluid so be aware of that. Try drinking Gatoraid for a week on a daily basis and see if that helps. Bad salts build up in muscles when they do not get enough water and Gatoraid provides water and essential minerals to help combat cramping. If you are dehydrated it takes a while to get the body in balance again. More than just a day or two.

Rudy2

[Rokket]

Originally Posted by Rudy2

As someone else already said, stay hydrated. Alcohol and caffeine rob your system of fluid so be aware of that. Try drinking Gatoraid for a week on a daily basis and see if that helps. Bad salts build up in muscles when they do not get enough water and Gatoraid provides water and essential minerals to help combat cramping. If you are dehydrated it takes a while to get the body in balance again. More than just a day or two.

Rudy2

Sounds good. I will keep that in mind. I don't drink alcohol very often, but I probably don't stay as hydrated as I should. Thanks again!