I have mentioned this before, but I have a nerve condition that has affected my right hand over the last few years. It may be referred to as Ulnar claw, but my specialist has called it multifocal motor neuropathy. Basically the nerve that control some parts of the hand is not working properly and it has led to a loss in strength and mobility.
You can see that the third and fourth fingers are bent. I cannot fully straighten them and I can barely spread the fingers of that hand. The muscle next to the thumb has wasted away and the hand is generally emaciated compared to the left.
Here's the left for comparison. My split index fingernail is down to a incident with a circular saw many years ago.
Since I noticed the problem I've seen a couple of specialists, but they couldn't offer me much. They did MRI scans and I had a lumbar puncture (AKA spinal tap) to test my spinal fluids. Apparently it's just one of these things that can happen, but the Wikipedia article says it can be the result of certain jobs, including desk work. I had a course of antibody treatment that didn't do much. Luckily my health insurance paid for all this or I would have had to wait longer for NHS treatment. I see the specialist once a year to see if there is any change.
I've tried some exercises and I try to do a few things to maintain some strength in the hand. It does have some effect on my guitar playing. It can be hard to grip a pick and my fingerpicking is not so good now.
I have these tools. On the left is a Powerball gyroscopic exerciser and the other is aimed at guitarists to build finger strength. I can't say I've seen definite improvement. I just want to be able to keep playing guitar and doing other everyday tasks. I know this is a pretty minor handicap, but it makes me appreciate what I have lost.
Value your health and do what you can to preserve it.
I'll buy guitar picks for Steem Dollars
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aww! I hope your hand will recover its full functionality, Steve!
Can't be sure it will. This may just be one of those things that happens with age. The body starts wearing out.
I know what you mean :(
Wow, Steve you still play the guitar quite well. You may someday want to look at meditation and some healing you might try. Seems you are doing what you can. I had no idea.... sorry you deal with this.
It's not such a big deal, but I've had some interesting responses here. That's part of why I post
if you are a guitarist, I think that's a big problem, because you will decrease the quality of playing the guitar
Of course, but we have to cope with what life throws at us
I agree, but I just sing about your hobby or your profession as a guitarist, I can only encourage and support for your healing
I didn't think much about my health until this summer, you only know when it is too late (not that neither of us had any fault in being ill).
I usually get out of my self-pity by remembering my self invented maxim: There is always someone who has suffered more than you have, there is always someone who carried themselves with more dignity.
I made it for fun but there is some truth in it. I meet people who got along with under much conditions, and who carried the burden with out any whimpering.
I immediately thought of your guitar playing, but it is at least the right hand so you can use a guitar pick! Then I thought of Django Reinhardt
I actually feel lucky as my life has been pretty good and many people have it much worse. Django is an inspiration. I've played some of his tunes, but not got into the chord shapes he used. He had to adapt to having a lot less use of his left hand. I like the gypsy jazz stuff and would like to find time to study it more
Sorry to hear this is affecting you. I wish I had some magic insight that would help, but unfortunately I don't ;-(
Would electric shock therapy to stimulate the nerves help, do you think?
Well my specialist couldn't suggest anything and he's supposed to be one of the top people in his field. Maybe my body just needs re-wiring.
Hmm.... I've got a friend called Igor. He's really handy with a needle and thread. He lives up Lancre way. Maybe he can help you ;-)
An Igor might be handy
Two things, one to research one to ponder:
Research Cubital Tunnel I posted on this over a year ago as well.
And Toni Iommi lost two finger tips as plays with ones he made himself (well did years ago).
All the best.
I know of many guitarists who coped with much worse, e.g. Django Reinhardt. My left index doesn't fully straighten, but I get by with that.
I am sorry it interferes with your playing. That would upset me too. Getting older is not fun! But yes I agree some people are way worse off and we all must be grateful for what we have. Jeff Healy was another guy ThT came to mind when you mentioned Django. Keep playing and rocking out dude!!
I don't intend to let it stop me playing
Never!!!!!
Nice post sir.You always uploads interesting and important post sir.Thanks for sharing with us.Upvote and resteem done.
You will find some people treat comments like this as spam. You vote has low value, so make your comments valuable by saying something interesting.
Thanks for advice sir.
Being a guitar player myself I can understand how painful this disorder may be. Is the last picture of a planet waves finger exerciser?? I have one. If you don't mind then I have a few recommendations. There is a form of yoga called hand mudras that uses hand gestures. You need to be patient and need to practice religiously. Give it a try if you wish.
Please google appropriate symptoms for proper guidance. I am leaving an example video for introduction.
I hope it helps,it has benefited me immensely. Cheers!!
It is a Planet Waves gadget.
There are some bold claims in that video. There are so many alternative therapies that claim a lot and it can be hard to know what to try.
It's basically a gamble and you are in need so there is no way you can verify before trying it for some time. You can read about Reiki too.
I know someone who does reiki, but I'm sceptical about some therapies
A greeting my dear friend, I have had many patients in my practice during my short career of medicine, not the exact cause of your difficulty, but one of the most important things is to maintain a good mood, followed by physiotherapy, these practices It brings extremely good results, they are not short-term results but if in the medium or long term, another of the things that can help a lot are multivitamin injections such as the B complex, as long as you are not allergic to these medicines. I recommend that you continue to give movement to your hand and little by little you will see good results.
if I read about your finger, that your finger is very useful for you. I hope to recover soon. I give a little advice, such case treatment is with massage therapy. because that is the problem is the tendons of your fingers are not running normally, there are your veins are sandwiched between your muscles. may be useful. thank you
Hold on, I believe that you can be healed. My father has the same problem. He did not worry much and eventually his 5th finger completely stopped bending. So, that you are doing everything right, that immediately started to deal with this problem. So, you have a chance to recover. Good luck to you and good Health.
havent thought that you are a guitarist other than being a crypto junkie hehe @steevc, indeed we must value our health ;))
Very sad to hear about your hand problem @steevc. I pray for your quick recovery. You should not lose your hope, first of all full faith on GOD and also do some minor exercises. hopefully you get rid of this problem soon.
Not sure He can help, but exercise might :)
I am also in the favor of excercises, but main thing is your self confidence.
Not sure if it will help, but you can always try medical marijuana... it definitely won't hurt ya...LOL@steevc I hope the hand gets better and you can keep on playing the tunes on your guitar... Cheers
It's cool you're still playing the guitar despite all of this. Keep on rocking!
Yes its a minor hqndicap. Believe me you can improve it by doing exercise.
I trust exercise and medicine more than any deity :)
Yes this is the right choice
Terima kasih atas pelajarannya
in our place if experiencing numbness can be overcome with traditional ingredients such as soursop leaves 6 pieces (between young leaves and old leaves) boiled with 500cc water to drink morning and evening
Be heal soon bro @steevc