My hand really hurts! What do I do?

[Biu]

It started yesterday. Whenever I do something involving my index and pinky like hammer-ons or just certain jumps in scales, my left hand hurts. It's sort of a cramping, aching feel. Kind of like when you have a kink in your neck from sleeping wrong, though a little less painful. I doesn't hurt when I do chords or anything, just when I sort of curve my hand. I had to quit playing yesterday, mid-jam. Is this something serious?

 

[Young Angus]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

Just lay off it for a day or so and see how it goes. Usually when i get stuff like that i just go into mucho mode and keep playing till it feels good again..but i dont suggest this as you might do some more damage.

It should get better in a couple of days to a week maybe, if not then go see a doc or something if you're still worried.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

Hey you got to watch your tendons....my wrist is always trying to kill me.
Warm up slowly for 10 15 min, then you ought to be fine.
But if it keeps coming back lay off for a day or two, cannot recommend not to rest

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

I've had that exact same thing a few times over the past couple years...and when it happens I usually rest for a few days (maybe a week) and it's usually better by then.

 

[orbiter]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

there's some stuff called "arnica gel" which works really well for cramping and swelling.. I use it for this and other things.. it works for me.

sorry if I sounded like a hippy there for a sec.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

I have a simular thing happen when I play alot of bass guitar. The extra reach and pressure strains something just behind the knuckles between my pinky and ring finger on my left hand. It's the curse of girlyfingers!

Just take it easy for a few days and avoid doing things that aggreviate your innerds. While no pain/no gain is true, you still need to let your body heal after breaking down tissue. Weight lifters alternate working different regions to avoid straining muscle tissue, guitar players need to do the same thing. As you develop more strength the problem will go away.

 

[Biu]

Re: My hand really hurts! What do I do?

Thanks, guys. I think I'm just gonna lay off guitar for a while, though it pains me to do so... :yell: The pain is in the middle of my palm, so I don't think it's my fingers or tendons. I always warm-up for 30 mins, so that's why this thing is freaking me out, also my mom has arthritis, so I guess I just jumped the gun and assumed I had it too. But since it's in the palm, I'll just wait and see if it gets better. Thanks again!