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  #31  
Old 01-04-2017, 05:08 PM
Sagebrush Tom Sagebrush Tom is offline
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As for those who expressed a willingness to try other remedies, since using medical marijuana for wrist, finger and shoulder pain it has helped me alot in managing pain without the use of prescription pain meds, over the counter pills, ointments, creams that can have unwanted side effects.
Actually it was my primary care doctor who brought up pain management with a different approach. As for the results it has really improved my quality of life and i don't feel so mentally fogged in as i did with pills.
I'm fortunate that i live in a state where medical care is willing to try a different and effective way of pain management.
Next step is a 420 Martin during treatment. Wonder if they will come out with an OM or 00 models...mmm, maybe different tone woods....
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  #32  
Old 01-04-2017, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by vindibona1 View Post
Perhaps you can share your routine: Supplments, including brands, doses and ingestion schedule?

To address the OP's issues, I too have similar issues. Started at age 62 and I've just turned 65. Here's what I do to combat the stiffness and pain.

Like the OP, I prefer soft V necks. It appears that the way the neck fits into my hands allows more even application of pressure. With C shape necks I feel that my palm is less involved and pressure comes more from thumb and finger pressure with less leverage.

For me setup is critical. I want the action as low as possible before loss of projection. My action is combined with low neck relief. Obviously it is important that all the frets are level and even. I can feel when the neck relief changes and I'll adjust it as soon as I feel the change, usually brought on by temperature and humidity changes.

Lastly, I've become a fan of Finger-Ease, a spray on string lubricant. I don't notice much change in tone but don't use very much. Just enough to reduce drag when moving up and down the neck.

I am happy to report that most of the time my hands loosen after playing for a bit. I'm not sure if it will always be that way. Soaking in warm water helps. Also, I've been experimenting with electro-stim and it does help to a small degree, but I'm still trying to figure out how to best use it.

Looking forward to hear what works for others.

First of all, I've been studying nutrition for over 50 years! In the office, I use manual muscle testing to test for efficacy of supplements. It's simple, cheap, and the patient's can immediately see/feel an enormous difference when we make them taste a supplement that will usually help.
2) Most supplements are garbage- Use very inexpensive methods of manufacture, some even made in countries with no health standards at all
3) I've been using Thorne Research, Standard Process labs, and DeeCee labs for many, many years, and very few other companies.

I had NO history of injury, or trauma. But, bear in mind I've been pushing and pulling (massage/muscle balancing) on people's bodies for 33 years--and playing guitar daily for 50+ years. What I think happened in my case was just running low on some of the vital ingredients in these supplements, and even though I take supplements every day, I never liked EFA's. Many of the fish oil based efa's would literally come up on me, and my throat/mouth would taste like rancid fish. That doesn't work well when you may talk to 25 different people per day in the office.
I found that refrigerating them eliminated that prob. unless I took them on an empty stomach.
The Initial Regimen:

Evening Primrose oil- ( DeeCee labs) I started with 12-15 / day (3-4-----3-4 times/day) they're small
Super EPA (Thorne) 2-4 per day They're large
Pure Coconut Oil (Dee Cee Labs) 3-6 per day
I stopped all but the EPO about 2 weeks after the intense pain and loss of motion stopped.
I wish any and all who try these regimens to have patience. As I've experienced many times, my two MD friends were rather flabbergasted, because I didn't want surgery, injections, nor pain pills, especially over the counter ones. ( I almost died in 2014 by following dr's orders for advil and prednisone--never again)
Good luck-nothing worse for a musician than to have immobile shoulders/wrists, fingers, or low back/neck pain.
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  #33  
Old 01-04-2017, 05:21 PM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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Another fellow arthritis sufferer............

I'm 67, been playing since 1966, so far........

1) Had to give up 1-11/16" nuts, too skinny and it began to hurt, 1-3/4" nuts only)

2) Had to give up dreads, either shoulder, elbow or both began to hurt after 20 minutes or so

3) Big chunky necks, which I used to avoid, became "better", i.e. less pain

4) Some good news, I fell in love with OMs, with 1-3/4" nuts, and can play pain free "mostly"

The right body size, neck profile and nut width can make a huge difference, at least it did for me.............
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  #34  
Old 01-04-2017, 05:35 PM
rdeane rdeane is offline
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I know this will sound bizarre, but I believe it works for me. I thought it was hogwash myself until about a week into it, I realized I had far less joint pain than I had previously, and now none most of the time.

Gin Raisins. Yep. Soak golden raisins (not regular raisins) in any gin you want. I use the cheapest gin the liquor store sells. Just pour it over the raisins until they're covered in it. Then put a lid on jar and refrigerate for a few days, stirring each day. When the raisins have plumped up, about 3 days, they are ready. Then one large spoonful every day. Maybe it's in my head, but I know a number of people who use this remedy and swear by it, as do I. Crazy, but it works.
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  #35  
Old 01-04-2017, 07:34 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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Hi Ken,

I have been dealing with the effects of osteoarthritis since my 40s. I am now 68, not far away from age 69. So yes, it's a management thing.

I have learned to play in a way that minimizes trauma to my finger joints. I don't really feel the arthritis anywhere else, except for one of my hips (which obvious has nothing to do with guitar playing). Sometimes I take ibuprofen, most of the time I just work around it.

There isn't any particular kind of neck or nut width or anything else I can think of that helps. I do have a Taylor 12-Fret with short scale that helps, but all of my other guitars are 25.4" scale, some even a little longer and I just deal with it. I deal with nut widths from 1 5/8" to 1 7/8", from mod-V necks to the thin neck on my Olson SJ (and my Gibson ES-335).

I do take some supplements that help and I do have some gel from the doctor that helps when things are bad. I haven't used that gel for a while, though.

I thought that a few years ago I wouldn't be able to play anymore, but I'm still playing. I have been very fortunate.

- Glenn
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  #36  
Old 01-04-2017, 08:23 PM
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KenL,
I did not get my Mom's good memory or good lucks, but I sure got her arthritis!
I play Taylor's and also a Zager (www.zagerguitars.com) which has been endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation. You might want to look into it.
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Last edited by Kerbie; 01-04-2017 at 08:25 PM. Reason: Removed masked profanity
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  #37  
Old 01-04-2017, 08:42 PM
loco gringo loco gringo is offline
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I find that 18 year old Jameson Limited Reserve administered orally helps with the pain.
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  #38  
Old 01-04-2017, 08:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loco gringo View Post
I find that 18 year old Jameson Limited Reserve administered orally helps with the pain.

Ha! You guys are killin' me here.


Actually, this is very interesting to me, helpful as well, and I hope you'll keep 'em coming.
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  #39  
Old 01-04-2017, 09:00 PM
terrapin terrapin is offline
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Originally Posted by aknow View Post
I'm a physician and had 3 immovable frozen fingers for 2 weeks, I'm 67 yoa. Two colleagues, a hand specialist surgeon, and a rheumatologist ran their extensive diagnostic protocols, and told me it was DJD, (degenerative joint disease). I started supplementing HEAVILY with multiple forms of essential fatty acids: EPA/DHA, evening primrose oil, krill oil, and fortified wheat germ oil. On the 4th day of the supplementation I awoke in the morning to no locking, pain, stiffness at all.
I remembered at a seminar, learning how critical EFA's are in the formation of nerve myelin sheaths, collagen and connective tissues.
I hope yours resolves soon.

Thanks Doc. Did you have any adverse side effects to your mega-dosing with EFA's? Thanks in advance.

Never mind, I found your answer!
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  #40  
Old 01-04-2017, 11:15 PM
ncognito1 ncognito1 is offline
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Originally Posted by catdaddy View Post
As a pharmacist I feel compelled to note for the sake of accuracy that ibuprofen is hard on the stomach and kidneys but not the liver. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is the OTC pain med that is a challenge to the liver.
I have found that naproxen helps my pain best. What are the associated health risks with this option?
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  #41  
Old 01-05-2017, 05:36 AM
NotValid NotValid is offline
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I agree with aknow, 90% of all supplements are garbage. The other 10% do work well and bring results which is why we use them at the clinic where I work here in Switzerland. But that other 10% is rather expensive (but not compared to meds) and are harder to find. But once you find a good source (google is your friend) then your good to go.

But to beat that darn placebo effect.........both allopathic and complementary medicine have varied results in darn near every study. Who to trust? IDK But I do know a scientist friend who once worked at a major pharmaceutical company quit her job and now works for Weleda, a natural based multi product firm including medicine. She told me almost every medicine out there is based off of some plant found in nature. They isolate the molecule they think is best then mix in some matrix full of filler ingredients in order to get it patented. She believes the closer to nature the better the medicine. I agree, I also agree we have some really excellent life saving drugs thanks to Pharma meds. They should be considered together, not separate. One is good for this and the other good for that sort of thing. But that darn placebo effect..... Maybe, just maybe, its all in our own heads...this healing thing.

Anyways, long winded post to come here and say the BEST medicine is this video. Watch, do EVERY day, and before you play. Maybe even a shorter version after you play. My professional advice is to follow along and do what you can with out forcing anything. DO NOT FORCE IT!!! Find that sweet spot where you feel the stretch and it starts to tingle, this spot is found right before it starts to hurt, so if it hurts then back off just a little. Once you found this sweet spot its important to HOLD that stretch. Do not do the speed of this video, it is way too fast and you can injure yourself. Take it nice slow and easy. Dont force it, if you cant make any of the movements its important to use the other hand and walk that frozen finger or movement along until it can walk on its own. Be present, breath, nice and slow.
Here ya go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSrfB7JIzxY

Sorry if the youtube link isn't working.
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  #42  
Old 01-05-2017, 05:42 AM
colins colins is offline
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My wife is a keen painter and was finding arthritis affecting her fingers. She went onto a diet that has no gluten or dairy and after a few months the effects of the arthritis were pretty much gone. She is still on the diet and the arthritis has not returned. Fortunately she is a good cook and meals without gluten or dairy products still taste pretty fine.

I do not have arthritis but I do have a persistent issue with inflammation making my shoulders very painful. Am getting tired of taking Naprosyn or using Voltaren gel and am thinking of trying the gluten-free approach... does anyone else have experience with this approach?

Col
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  #43  
Old 01-05-2017, 07:56 AM
aknow aknow is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colins View Post
My wife is a keen painter and was finding arthritis affecting her fingers. She went onto a diet that has no gluten or dairy and after a few months the effects of the arthritis were pretty much gone. She is still on the diet and the arthritis has not returned. Fortunately she is a good cook and meals without gluten or dairy products still taste pretty fine.

I do not have arthritis but I do have a persistent issue with inflammation making my shoulders very painful. Am getting tired of taking Naprosyn or using Voltaren gel and am thinking of trying the gluten-free approach... does anyone else have experience with this approach?

Col
Eliminate all grains for 60 days and see how much more motion you enjoy.
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  #44  
Old 01-05-2017, 08:28 AM
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NotValid, I just followed along with that video and my hands loosened up considerably.

Thanks!
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  #45  
Old 01-05-2017, 08:43 AM
redir redir is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llew View Post
I have psoriatic arthritis and the worst spot (other than my back) is in my hands. Especially my thumbs where they attach to the wrist. Just turned 60. Some days are worse than others. I take all the usual stuff and try to work through it. I've had one cortisone/lidocaine injection in my right wrist/thumb joint. Incredibly painful and not terribly long lasting. So I try my best to take the right supplements and roll with it. I'm open to trying new things if anyone has experienced relief from a supplement I'd sure like to know about it. Best of luck!
I've got PA too. Worst part about it is I will never be able to play with fingernails again and it was once a big part of my classical guitar playing.

To the OP:

I have two guitars with hard V neck profiles and they are by far the most comfortable for me to play.
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