A BUM THUMB

[RizinRico]

I had never played an instrument of any kind so at 53 years old I picked up a guitar. I've been taking lessons since july '06. I really started getting the feel of rhythms and I have been working hard on practicing chord progressions but now that I can put some chords together my left (fretting) thumb has developed a bit of tendonitis of the thenar (big fat at base of hand) muscle on the lowest joint of the thumb. any ideas?? i have ordered an electric guitar so I can practice with much less strain to my hand. my Blueridge BR163 om is already set up with light strings as is my alvarez md90 dred.

[guitarist21]

If its tendonitis, I don't know what to tell you. Does it only get sore when you're playing? Has it never come up before?

 

Ellen

[babablowfish]

If it is tendonitis, then there are 2 different treatments that have helped me.

 

First I would look for a Chiropractor or Massage therapist that is specifically trained in Active Release Technique. This is a technique which targets the fascia that overlays the muscles. Active release dramatically improved my biceps tendonitis back when I was into heavy weight-lifting.

 

The other technique is called Polotherapy and this also gave me very impressive results with Triceps tendonitis in my left elbow.

 

Outside of that I would suggest rest and then trying not to be too tense and not to press too tightly against the back of the neck with your thumb.

 

Good luck.

[RizinRico]

well my thumb only spasms when i am working on chord progressions and keeping a steady rhythm. my thumb doesnt bother me at all if I am playing scales or melody lines. the thumb doesnt bother me at any other time away from the guitar but then again I am an acupuncturist and massage therapist and work on it so that other than the above mentioned part of my practice I am feeling fine.

[babablowfish]

 

well my thumb only spasms when i am working on chord progressions and keeping a steady rhythm. my thumb doesnt bother me at all if I am playing scales or melody lines. the thumb doesnt bother me at any other time away from the guitar but then again I am an acupuncturist and massage therapist and work on it so that other than the above mentioned part of my practice I am feeling fine.

 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was due to simply pressing too hard. Just like a capo, you only need to use enough pressure to depress the strings enough to get a clear note. Also, as Freeman has pointed out, some folks will use too much thumb pressure because they are not pressing their fretting fingers slightly upwards toward the nut. And finally, are you sure the action is low enough? If not, it is easy to adjust. I have mine set at

3/32 at the 12th fret. If the string height at the 12th fret is 1/4" or more many of us would consider it unplayable and many don't like to go too much more than 1/8".

 

Good luck.

[DonK]

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was due to simply pressing too hard. Just like a capo, you only need to use enough pressure to depress the strings enough to get a clear note. Also, as Freeman has pointed out, some folks will use too much thumb pressure because they are not pressing their fretting fingers slightly upwards toward the nut. And finally, are you sure the action is low enough? If not, it is easy to adjust. I have mine set at 3/32 at the 12th fret. If the string height at the 12th fret is 1/4" or more many of us would consider it unplayable and many don't like to go too much more than 1/8". Good luck.

 

 

 

This could well be it. If it helps, I remember having this exact problem 30+ years ago, in my second or third year of playing. I eventually realized it was due to using a death-grip on my acoustic, and once I learned to relax a bit, it went away and has never come back. It was most pronounced when making an E chord in the open position, especially if I had to hold it for awhile (as when alternating between E and Esus for an extended progression).

[knockwood]

I'm only guessing here, but from your description of what is happening when the pain starts, I think it sounds like a combo of what Baba and Don are describing (Deathgripitis) and the neck profile being less than ideal for everything you're playing - which may be partly why you are death-gripping your neck (if indeed you are).

 

If you're playing scales and other arpeggiated stuff without pain, but pain comes with a lot of chording, this sounds like my experience with a Taylor I used to own. The thing was quite comfortable for fingerstyle, but chording - particularly barre chording - that skinny-arse neck just absolutely murdered my fretting hand. Cramp City. Then I picked up an old cheapie - a 1965 Harmony H162 with sky-high action and a neck profile like the business end of a Louisville Slugger. Most comfortable neck profile I've ever encountered. The thing is, when you are chording, you need to apply more pressure to the neck. Depending on the shape/size of your hand, when that neck is too thin, the hand position is extremely awkward - it can be easier to grip a neck lightly but securely if that neck is somewhat fatter.

 

Since you're in NYC, what I'd do is march straight over to Rudy's on 48th and let Gordon know what's going on. He's got some Gibsons in there - they tend to have slightly fatter necks. Not that you have to buy a Gibby - just take a feel of the neck. And if that doesn't work, maybe hit Manny's down the street or even - dare I suggest it? - GC on 14th, and take a look at some Martins or Epi Masterbilts with V necks.

 

Of course I could be totally off the mark here, but I think it may be worth a shot.

[Berkleo]

I had/have exactly the same problem. It's not a cramp but a pronounced pain in fat part of my hand right at the knuckle at the base of my thumb. It would start with some barre chord I'd be stressng about (a few give me fits) then once it was sore anything might aggravate it further.

Luckily for me I happen to live with a Rolfer. She sat and watched me play and saw a few things: A change in my shoulder position as I tried to get leverage and the aforementioned death grip.

She did some sort of a release on my shoulder, acessed from my armpit, then asked me to "create space" between the bones in my forearm as I played. She also worked on my forearm as I played trying to do the same (make space). Over time the pain and it's pattern have diminished.

I'm hoping all this translates. I think she and you both speak the same professional language...

Next time it happens for starters, try thinking abot making space between the bones in your forearm. This seems to help my shoulder to reposition and my grip to relax without losing any articulation of the chord I'm playing.

If you want more info PM me and I'll ask her to reply more in depth. Good luck.

 

about Rolfing: http://www.rolf.org/index.asp

 

find a Rolfer: http://www.rolf.org/find/locate.asp

[RizinRico]

thanks to all who responded. i am working on my chord progressions with a

Washburn X50 electric which is helping me to appreciate that the deathgripitis is not only improper but also unnecessary to playing the guitar. the tilt to the nut idea seems to shift the weight of my arm onto my fingertips so that my hand doesnt need to strangle the neck of my sweet guitar. (you only hurt the ones you love) this is giving my thumb a chance to work on chord changes with a metronome thru several progressions without pain (or at least the pain starts at the end of the work rather than at the beginning and dissipates when I shake my hand out so I can continue playing. special thanks to Berkleo's wife whose thoughts about creating space between the bones in my forearm enabled my to change my focus on the work of changing chords from my fingers and hand to my forearm elbow and shoulder. as I work down thru my ribs belly hips legs and foot to release the tension I am finding there I notice that the changes are quicker and cleaner. reminding me that the thumb bone is connected to ... every other bone or so it seems to me now.