Picking hand finger pain

[jackincaves]

Recently the index finger on my picking hand has been causing me a ton of pain when playing, to the point where we had to stop practice early last night because it felt like I was gonna snap the finger in half if I played any more!

I hold the pick the way I was taught when I was younger, which is the same as this (http://www.benvesco.com/img/holdapick/string_angle.jpg) and the only thing I can think that would cause it is the pressure it's putting on my finger pushing it downwards. My finger is also noticeably bent that way as well, which I'm pretty sure has developed over the time I've been playing!

Anyone experienced a similar thing or got any advice? I tend to ignore most problems with my body but as this is impacting my playing I may have to go to a doctor!

[msmith4432]

Anything you have done differently as of late? Possibly you have tendinitis? Is there irritation in anything besides playing.

[nlimbaugh]

glucosamine chondroitin pills. stuff helps me out. at least if your pain has do do with joints.

[bclaire]

Yeah, I would be suspicious of other activities that might cause it to happen... sanding paint, painting, other stuff, other physical activity, etc.?

[irish_admiral]

And in the short term, just try to ease off on whatever is causing it pain. May be worth getting a specialist physio to check it out if it continues to cause you pain.

I remember when I got pain in my fretting hand pinkie, and I literally just splinted it straight in the day so I couldn't use it for anything else. After a little while doing that, pain eased off and I carried on as normal.

Whatever you do, don't ignore. Pain is the body's way of saying something's up.

[OrangePaul]

Maybe you're gripping it too tight

But seriously, can you not have a total break from playing for a week or two and see how it responds.
Maybe a fatter pick that you can hold easier or could you hold it between your thumb and second finger. Just trying to come up with some ideas for you here.

The fingers on my left hand are noticeably longer from years of playing but I've never experienced this.

[mmsb13]

glucosamine chondroitin pills. stuff helps me out. at least if your pain has do do with joints.

+1
I had elbow pain, for close to a year. Hurt to bend my arm. Started taking "glucosamine chondroitin pills", within about 3 months all pain gone, I still continue to take the pills daily though and no pain anymore. I self medicate. . . so. . . you may want to see a doctor, unless you're comfortable with self diagnosis.

[everdrone]

I posted in this thread here, may be of help: http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/show ... -Pain-Free" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nlimbaugh]

I posted in this thread here, may be of help: http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/show ... -Pain-Free" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like this.

[jackincaves]

Anything you have done differently as of late? Possibly you have tendinitis? Is there irritation in anything besides playing.

Not done anything else differently. I have noticed that my wrist and index finger/thumb on my right hand have started to ache a bit when I do long drives and I have to just relax it and use my left hand to grip the wheel.


I'm gonna look into Glucosamine Chondroitin pills, but I'm gonna make a doctors appointment too. I'm only 24 and quite like having the use of my hands for, you know, everything.

[everdrone]

I'm gonna look into Glucosamine Chondroitin pills, but I'm gonna make a doctors appointment too. I'm only 24 and quite like having the use of my hands for, you know, everything.

You know those pills are for joints, right?

you are 24, and your symptoms are not exactly indicative of joint pain

ya, if you have access to a great doctor that knows tendonosis etc, then see him

but if the doc just does xrays and gives pain pills, that wont do you any good...