I am going to throw in some general info. There's a reason retired professional athletes many times wind up with chronic pain, bad joints, arthritis, and almost crippled as a result of the abuse to their bodies. What anyone that does repetitive action type activities does in this regard is similar, and yes, the more you do of it, over time, the more likely it is to have a profound impact on your health.
So, there's the physical side of things. Listen to your body. If it hurts some today, it may hurt like crazy 1-2 days from now. The worse pain is generally delayed a day. IF you are in your 50s, and you start saying oh I feel like I am 20 again, and start trying to play tennis like when you were 20 or ski, or whatever. Your body is going to say, oh no your not! The other day I had to clean my gutters out on back of my house, it always involves getting this huge heavy ladder out, and of course going up and down it about 10-15 times, hanging from one hand while working with the other, leaning. After I did this, without a lot of other activity leading up to it, my legs were so sore 2 days later. It took me a couple of more days to put that pain to rest.
Speaking of rest, don't underestimate it's importance. Get 7-8 hours sleep daily. Rest your body. Do all physical activities including playing guitar or drums in moderation.
Stress too can play a key roll in general health. Keeping stress down is a key to a healthy body.
I deal with some arthritis, muscular cramps, am on a Dr. regiment of supplements. at 58, it's no picnic. But as long as I realize my limits, I can do some things I enjoy, and save some for later. I'm not hang gliding, ,bungee jumping, sky diving, or zip lining, or water skiiing. I'm not 20 anymore, and realizing it, and doing things in moderation is key to saving one's body for the future we have left. That doesn't mean quit, but it does mean be smart about it.
Yes, I have fought some knuckle and hand pain. My folks had real bad knuckles by the time they reached their 70s. I pretty well know what the future holds. But at 58, I'm pretty good shape in that regard. I noticed my Sister has some knuckle enlargement, and she's 4 years older than me. Oh, I am a computer guy too, so 25 years of that with my hands on a keyboard. It's a wonder my knuckles aren't like Keith Richards already. Lucky so far. Fingers crossed gently... Keep playing.
I had frozen shoulder for a year after injuring myself doing too much with that big ladder. I'll get some help if I need to paint my eve vents again, and not try and be superman like last time. It took a long time to moderately heal from that injury. I'll be smarter next time. I had very limited movement for a long time on my right arm and shoulder and it was painful. Nursing it, by protecting it from over-exertion for the next 6-9 months, helped me eventually get pain free from it. I lost some motion with my hand up my back side with my right arm, but I still have my left. It's not painful now, I just don't have quite the range of motion I did. Protect your body, you only get one.
Doug
I guess it was an arthritis "flare up" just like the doctor said. One thing that did happen, and I seriously wonder if its related. I am in a very stressful relationship and we live together. She went away for a week to visit 2 of her kids in Florida for a week, and it was the second day she went away that the pain went away. She gets back tomorrow, so we will see what happens. Coincidence?
