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gj Michelob -> RE: W Korea, Hand Surgery, etc.... (Aug. 2 2009 8:27:42)
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Thank you all for your affectionate notes. Needless to say, I wish we were discussing the video I long to post on youtube, rather than glossy (foreign) magazines and the vicissitudes of my infirmity.
Last night, a guest picked up my guitar and played a few things. I tuned it for him, anxiously watching out for my left hand’s instinctive reaction, eager as I felt it was to grab that fretboard. Such torture….
I could not find a hand therapist specializing on musicians’ injuries; I hope the one I will work with will understand my needs and concerns. But would love to devise a “well thought out practice regimen” to facilitate a steady recovery, as Pgh recommends. Any advice there?
For those of you who did or will have surgery impairing your ability to play, please accept my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity. It does take a toll on this passion, and nearly makes you want to quit.
Hopefully by Christmas I will be recording again.
Lesson to be learned:
If you are to some degree self-taught, remember that many physical problems are caused more by “misuse” than “overuse” of what will eventually be your injured joint.
Learning and developing a good and relaxing posture will decrease significantly the likelihood of these problems.
Also, warming up (which I –sneaking a session between phone calls and contracts- never managed to indulge) is critical. Doc recommends no less than 15 min with a squeeze ball, followed by extensive stretching fingers, arms and back before playing).
Finally, if you experience a sense of fatigue in your hand, a 10 minute long application of ice (wrapped in cloth) will “cool” it.
Surgery should be a last resort remedy, which I unfortunately needed. I did not realize how seriously the condition could degenerate –and felt happily comforted by the temporary relief acupuncture provided- and wish I had sought professional advice in due course. Whether your livelihood or your favorite hobby may depend on this, it is a heartbreaking deprivation one could avoid by more prudently following cautionary measures and profesional guidance.
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