Daryl Jones
non-practicing pacifist
For a while now, I've been avoiding reality to an extent. I know I'm not bulletproof anymore, and as I continue to age, more little niggles show up that haven't been much of a hinderance with anything I do. However, for a few months now, I've been waking in the middle of the night with numbness and pain in my left hand: 1st 2 fingers, thumb and general aches in my lower arm/wrist area. Most of you will recognize where this is going as it's a common complaint (so I gather) with playing guitar. My wife has had both her hands/wrists surgically repaired, but I'm struggling with (I guess) medium intensity carpal tunnel issues. It isn't as bad when I stick to my electric guitars, but over the holidays I spent a goodly amount of time on my acoustics and it suddenly got far worse and definitely more painful. In a word, it's "frustrating" to have to stop playing due to the level of discomfort. I'm going to try some neoprene wraps and braces to see if it will get me through the next few months, but eventually I reckon I'll be heading to the surgeon to get cut. My work schedule and business load is such that I can't afford the downtime for recovery from the procedure until fall when I retire. I'm just hoping I can get through the interim and still be able to play as much as possible without risking more serious damage. I don't want to become dependent on the brace as it will also have a detrimental effect (loss of wrist/hand strength) from relying on it too much.
Anybody else dealt with this? I would appreciate any thoughts you care to share, or suggestions to ease the pain and aggravation. .
Anybody else dealt with this? I would appreciate any thoughts you care to share, or suggestions to ease the pain and aggravation. .