Please help! (Injury)

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

Please help! (Injury)

I didn't wanted to post here for many reasons, but now I am very worried this may be permament and affect my playing for a long time. Please offer advice. i will explain what happened.

The finger pictured is my ring finger, on my fret hand (do you see the very deep indentation?). this is the worst one, but all four of my fret hand have indentations. This happened 7 days ago when I played for several hours straight with friends and they started to hurt and I looked and saw deep indendtations (I saw they were bad but I thought it was nothing severe). I played many hours the next day, too without looking at my fingers. Then they started to hurt, and then I inspected and saw the very deep recess on my ring finger and got scared. I haven't played since Friday.

Now, maybe you should know the reason. I took new ADHD medication and it made my Obssessive Compulsive Disorder (ocd) worse so i started washing hands more (among other things). then my hands got very, very dry (they were starting to split and they hurt) so i and started putting way too much moisturizer.

i went from having very hard callus to almost none. so i played guitar for too long with bad fingers. you see its not all my fault, i couldn't help it!

right now i am trying not to wash or put lotion but its hard. i see a doc for OCD tomorrow put I am more worried i might not play for a long time because i dont want to deform my fingers worse. i used to play every day. pleae help!

if you want to see more picture let meknow.

*edit* deleted picture

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 17:52:19

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

Wow Isa this is a very touching post amigo i admire your courage and humblness to openly discuss OCD and am flattered that you felled comfortible enough to do it with us..

its not a clear picture so i cant see exactly how severe is it..it is very very usual...for your fret hand to hurt there after long hours of practice and playing..aand yes if you wash it alot or put mosturiser u just feel the pain more imo...its goot to have it hard there..meanwhile in the future u can use light tenshion strings...i dont know what kind of tenshion strings do you use ..it might help a litlle...also be concious of how hard you press down on your frets...theres only a certain amount of light force u need really anything aafter that its unecesary..and dangerous, can lead to more serious problems

how long have you been playing guitar ? this is very normal expecially at the begining when your fingers get used to it...they need to harden there...i cant see the photo clearely amigo but i dont think its huge issue to be worring about..even if it hurts now...its just skin...it will cure...use light tenshion strings and be aware of how hard u press down in the future...give it time to heal if it hurts now....perhaps try to upload some clearer photos of it as i am having difficulties distinguishing just how bad is it from the pic..

this is something every guitarist has had to get used too and work through...like a broken nose in boxing ...with time it hardens more and u get it less and less..but if u going to keep washing it and putting mosturiser on it too much its only going to delay what needs to happpen anyway and u going to be very sencitive there logher then u need to be

but again i say this without seeing a clear photo...if you are really concerned you can see a hand doctor and he will tell you if its normal or something to worry about...but honestly i doubt it..,.i spent years with a permannent string line in there from practice and rehershals...to be honest i kind of like it...it feels like "Yes i been working hard enough, i couldnt have done anymore"...and remember no matter what no matter how much it hurts no matter how severe it may seem atm...any kind of skin wound cannot affect your longterm playing abilitie...so stop worring, give it time to heal and continue to try to resist washing it too much......kepp us posted of how its going

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 18:48:36

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

Thanks for the kind words Florian.

I just had to post here, but my anxiety makes me do dumb things! My phone cannot get btter picture unfortunately, but I tried another. I think you can see more from this angle the flesh it is sunken in. Ouch!

I have played classical for 1 1/2 year, but met a tradtional flamenco and rumba guitarist and started playing with him a lot for 7 months now. I have used hard tension strings for probably 6 months and I've always had very hard callus. I think you're right, it's the style of playing and in the future I can press more lightly.

Wow you played with a line, too? That's dedication! Thanks for the advice, i worry to much and it gives me more assurance to hear from more flamenco players like you!

Attachment (1)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 19:36:35

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

Dont worry amigo ..i do dumb things all the time and i got nothing to blame hehe

besides its not a dumb thing...its good to discuss it and bring it up incase theres others who experience the same but are too shy to ask

quote:

Wow you played with a line, too? That's dedication!

i think i didnt have an option...it was for class or a gig or something...it had to be done...yeah it hurt a litlle but it was good hurt cause u know u worked hard..

quote:

I have played classical for 1 1/2 year, but met a tradtional flamenco and rumba guitarist and started playing with him a lot for 7 months now. I have used hard tension strings for probably 6 months and I've always had very hard callus

this just confirms what i susspected...you are totally at that time where this will happen alot its totally normal..i am not saying play through the pain ...but dont worry...absoluteley every guitarist has had to go trough it

EDIT

lol all i see in that last photo is 2 VERY VERY clean

hard practicing guitarists fingers

look i have a dent too

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 19:45:18

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

its not really coming out in photos

this is side on ...permanent string dent...btw...this photo deserves some kind of award.. i got the infinite mirror effect going

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:01:34

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

If I fell into your computer screen would I ever stop falling?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:06:07

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

your finger looks...strong. actually, worse than mine. so its been like that and hasnt got worse?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:08:24

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

quote:

your finger looks...strong. actually, worse than mine. so its been like that and hasnt got worse?

no its been way worst...but as it starts getting used to it and skin gets harder and you get used to how much pressure to apply more...it goes back to looking closer to normal....so hard skin is good there..if its tender you really feel the string all the time and it hurts...even makes your finger swolen

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:11:51

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Florian)

wow, that's pretty amazing! light tensions sound like a good idea. do you use those often?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:16:22

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

quote:

wow, that's pretty amazing! light tensions sound like a good idea. do you use those often?

oh i dont use them, prefer hard tenshion atm..but i am always experimenting...i am only suggesting if it really hurts ..it might be something to consider...not sure if it makes some difference ...but it should a litlle

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:18:13

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Florian)

i prefer hard too

do you have any videos of you playing or like tutorials?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:20:46

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

its not tutorials but theres some vids there http://www.myspace.com/florianflamenco

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:27:03

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

quote:

Thanks for the kind words Florian.

You are a wonderful human being, Florian Remus. This Forum is awesome at large, and I have grown so attached to many members, but I will always have a particularly weak spot for the openhanded, altruistic and dearly compassionate Australian Robin Hood in this friendly Sherwood for Flamencos. You were the first to warmly welcome me in, and I am so glad to see over and over again, it was not a sporadic coincidence.

As to your lines, Isa, I too tend to develop them when allowed to indulge playing to my heart’s content . Although not clinically diagnosed, I tend to compulsively obsess when absorbed by the sweet despair of my composition; I will play endlessly until it finally settles, and then I will play more until I learn it.

The depression in the skin causes a burning sting, and certainly may worry you. The problem however has significantly subsided since taking the following precautions, I suggest you consider (if not already following them)
(i) rest your hands from playing for a day or two when experiencing pain; pain signals that rest is indeed needed (and from any excessive unctuous creams you are using, it just ain’t cool to smell like your mom);
(ii) try light (normal tension) strings, they may feel dull initially but will reward you immensely;
(iii) have your guitar’s action lowered, to decrease the amount of string-pressure you are now possibly forced to antagonize;
(iv) work on curving your left hand more over the strings (as in the opposite of a rock style guitar);
(v) do not bite, send or cut your skin off;

We just had a thread on hand surgery –I just had it and Florian is planning one-: musicians are exposed to a varieties of conditions and injuries. Exercise and warm up your hands, before you play and take breaks.

_____________________________

gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:43:59

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

lol stop it u gonna make me blush

just a pleasure to meet you all and spend a litlle time chatting togheder thats all

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:47:44

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Florian)

quote:

stop it u gonna make me blush

You do not really strike me as the blushing type, Florian, but if you are, you probably know it may formidably help when meeting a new gal... as a quick-witted timid man, it charms, intrigues and confuses the adversary.

_____________________________

gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 20:58:11

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to gj Michelob)

quote:

You do not really strike me as the blushing type, Florian, but if you are, you probably know it may formidably help when meeting a new gal... as a quick-witted timid man, it charms, intrigues and confuses the adversary

i can never pick it...theres days when i am cool (normally after a couple of glasses of wine and around a girl i am not trying to impress...and days when i am shy..)

problem is when i am timid and blushing aand when meeting a cute girl i like ...my timing and "witt"abandons me

and all I am left with silly lines like "

Hi your blouse is nice ...i really really like it

honestly ...i am not just saying that...i really really like it

"

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2009 21:03:34

Ailsa

Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Florian)

quote:

Hi your blouse is nice ...i really really like it honestly ...i am not just saying that...i really really like it

Better than, "that blouse is nice, it would look good on my bedroom floor"

Yes, someone did actually say that to me.

_____________________________

http://www.flamencojourney.com
http://www.myspace.com/flamencojourney

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 13 2009 0:52:54

Isa

Posts: 13
Joined: Jan. 30 2009

RE: Please help! (Injury) (in reply to Isa)

hi, a little update

I'm pretty sure this is what happened to my fingers:

"In many cases, there is nothing wrong or bad about calluses. They can protect against friction and act as a cushioning pad. They can also help protect against blisters. Again in Fixing Your Feet I say, “Calluses become a problem when they become thick enough to interfere with the normal elasticity of the skin or to act like a foreign body on the foot.” In this case, blisters often develop under the callus. I call these deep blisters—usually deep under the many layers of dead skin. It is hard for me or a podiatrist, or even you if you try on your own, to drain these blisters. We know there is fluid underneath the callus, but finding the right depth and location is almost impossible."
http://vonhof.typepad.com/fixingyourfeet/2005/10/fixing_your_fee.html

I tried playing again, yet the slight pressure of playing 5 minutes made my dead skin sink back like sitting in a bean bag chair - and tehn when you get up its still molded to your butt!

My calluses are still very hard, yet my flesh underneath is abormally soft and I think this is the blister fluid. I can actually see a bit of whiteness beginning to show inside my second finger. anyway, i hope it is not too much cause for concern. i suspect in a month or so the moisture will have gone and i can play again. this is devestating because i played everyday...but in the mean time i will practice my right hand technique.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 17 2009 19:02:51