Emergency help please

  • Thread starter Thread starter jeff0633
  • Start date Start date
J

jeff0633

Member
Guys, I was playing a gig last Friday and have one tonight and need info fast. last week, I was in the middle of a song, playing my guitar and all of a sudden i made a bar chord and my hand cramped, and I couldn't even lift my index finger off the neck. Talk about panic. I had to use my arm muscles to pull my hand off the neck. My fingers were locked like a vice on it I had to push my fingers down on my legs and force my fingers open. It kep trying to cramp for a couple more songs and then finally stopped.

Now, I have a thing about eating on days that I play. I usually go without food all day and then eat after the gig. I just feel better when I play if I haven't eaten. Please guys, anyone ever have this happen and could I eat something that might help, like pottasium in a banana or something. This was the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me. I actually thought I was going to panic. I messed the song up, no way to hide it and had to actually force my hand off the neck and pry my fingers open. I have a gig tonight unexspected so i need fast answers. I haven't eaten yet, but I am scared to death it will happen tonight.

Thanks for any help.
 
I'd try eating a banana or something with potassium, and also make sure that you are well-hydrated....drink plenty of water or Gatorade so that if you sweat while you're playing, you don't dehydrate, which is what sounds like happened to you....
 
I played with a bass player a few years ago and he always drank Gatorade at all our gigs for the same hand cramping that you had. Actually I think the drummer started using it after the bass dude's recommendation also. They both said it would help prevent the problem-so you should check out gatorade too.
 
This used to happen to me occasionally as well. Playing through it hurts like a bitch, doesn't it? :mad:

I never could find a correlation to diet or hydration - it seemed random to me. But stretching my fingers and inside forearm muscles after the occurences seemed to help.

I know I'm not being too helpful, but good luck. :)
 
I've started getting random hand cramping when I play drums, but like Zaphod I've never found any rhyme or reason as to when it's going to happen. Bananas and Gatorade do help, as does stretching before you play. Starving yourself is not such a good idea.
 
Yeah I'd say going without food all day is a horrible way to prepare for a gig. I can't say that it's certainly causing it, but starving yourself is never a healthy option. Your body needs fuel.

Also, definitely stretch out your hands and forearms very well before playing.

1. Reach out in front of you and make a "stop" gesture with one hand (so your palm is not facing you). With the other hand, pull your fingers back towards you and hold for ten seconds. Switch hands and repeat.

2. Do the same thing but with your fingers pointed down, so your palm is facing you. Pull on the front of your hand and hold it for 10 seconds. Switch hands and repeat.

3. Reach as high above your head as you can and clasp your hands. Hold for ten seconds.

4. Extend your right arm across your chest, under your chin, and pull it toward your neck with your left hand. Hold for ten seconds, switch hands, and repeat.

5. Reach up and toward your back (as if using a back scrubber) with your right arm, and pull your right elbox in toward your body with your left hand. Hold for ten, switch, and repeat.

Those stretches will take care of just about all the muscles you use when playing. It'll take less than 3 minutes or so, and you'll feel much better.

Good luck.
 
Maybe you should wear a beer helmet when you play.


172-06601b1.jpg
 
Thanks so much guys.

I have some gatorade right now and I wil try the stretching as well. I will grab a banana on the way to the gig, maybe a couple. The hydration thing might be true, cause last week during the gig I was absolutely pouring sweat. I must have sweat out a gallon of fluid.

I'll report back and let everyone know how it goes tonight. Yeah, I literally panicked. You can't fake that on stage, you simply can't play your guitar, everyone knows it. I had to jerk my hand off the guitar neck, no faking, everyone knew there was a problem. You spend your life playing guitar, then right in front of an audience and during a guitar part you can't move your hand. Talk about scary, I almost just freaked right in front of everyone.

Thanks much and have a good gig for those out on stage tonight.
 
One other thing you may want to think about. You may have a tendency to grip the neck harder and generally play harder in front of an audience than you do while rehearsing. It's a tendency of mine, and I sometimes have to work on just being more relaxed while playing (even though you want to be energetic as well)......for what that's worth. :)
 
Befriend a hospital dietician, a university's Dieteics program, or contact the CDC, about your diet in general and the problems you are having. Notice I said DIETICIAN, NOT nutritionist. Dieticians are certified and trained, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, with NO training or qualifications. I am assuming you are fairly young- even at 50, I know of no one with those symptoms. The good news is, with proper diet, they should go away.
 
Carpel tunnel syndrome

It's possible you pinched a nerve. If repetitive use causes swelling, numbness and pain you may have carpel tunnel syndrome like I do. Once it's begun it can get worse. DMSO and MSM are effective treatments for my condition. It takes a neurologist to diagnose and surgery to correct. I had surgery and I still have symptoms that have persisted for 25 years. Don't play excessive barred chords!
 
Arizona lipo

You must be in eating potassium. They are most useful for hand injury. I hope it will enough for you injury. Please take care. This used to happen to me occasionally as well. it hurts like a hand, doesn't it? but you follow your advise.
 
As the other dozen posts have suggested, it's called a "cramp" and it's because you starve yourself before a gig. I also prefer to eat very little before a gig (for different reasons) but you have to keep a basic level of nutrition or this will happen. Gatorade is the best cure because it provides hydration and the other performance-related goodies.
 
Over the past several months I have been seeing a doctor for other health issues and cramping. A few things I've had explained to me are... Cramps occur when muscles do not recieve enough oxygen to continue to function normally. Dehydration causes the blood not to carry enough oxygen (and other nutrients) to vital parts of the body. An electrolite imbalance will also contribute to cramping, Gatorade is high in electrolites and helps to keep you hydrated. Not eating can offset the electrolite balance and contribute to cramping. Stretching, deep breathing, and lots of fluids are the best preventative measures against cramping. If the problem persists see a doctor, it could indicate poor circulation or high blood pressure.
 
OP=7/18/08 said:
I have a gig tonight unexspected so i need fast answers. I haven't eaten yet, but I am scared to death it will happen tonight.
Click to expand...


Very timely advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top