Re: Anti-inflammatory drugs for aging musicians

On 14 Aug 2006 18:15:47 -0700, "WadeInChugiak@xxxxxxx"
<WadeInChugiak@xxxxxxx> wrote:

I'm no kid. A couple of months ago I turned 52, and while I still have
most of my hair and all of my teeth, in the past few years I've
experienced some hand pain after playing stringed instruments for
extended periods. The next morning, especially.

Part of this is age, no doubt, and part of it is that I play a number
of instruments, each with different fingerings and often with wildly
varying scale lengths and neck profiles.

Last night is a case in point: we had some friends over to play music,
and I made my usual little nest in the corner, with my mountain
dulcimer atop its hard case on one side of me, and my McAlister
baritone, Gibson J-100 and Rover prototype mandolin in a triple stand
on the other side.

I love to play music in social settings, and can't imagine giving it
up. But having hand and arm pain the next day is no fun...

My dentist, oddly enough, is the guy who gave me an idea that's since
been borne out in practice, so I thought I'd share it with you all.

First, let me say that while I like the man well enough, he cannot and
will not shut up. From the time you're within earshot of the guy until
you're out the door, you can hear him talking.

Incessantly.

Mostly I tune it out. He's a talkative old jock, but he's also a good
dentist, so if he wants to endlessly discuss the political intrigues
convulsing the amateur softball leagues here in Anchorage, well,
okay...I mean, if he wasn't rooting around in my mouth, his
conversation would put me right to sleep.

But something he said on a recent visit actually registered.

He was talking about "people our age" (he's older than I am) who insist
on vigorously playing softball, and who then ache and suffer for days
afterwards. "Instead of just taking Tylenol AFTER the game, they
should take it beforehand as well. They'd be in better shape," he told
me. "You might want to take an inflammatory drug like Tylenol or
ibuprofen right BEFORE coming here for your deep cleaning next week,
then take some afterwards, as well."

I did, and it helped.

The lightbulb went on over my head. "I bet this would help with my
hands when I play...."

It did. I took a few ibuprofen an hour or two before we started
playing music yesterday, played for hours with scarcely a break, then
took three more tablets before going to bed.

I was in GREAT shape this morning - hardly any stiffness at all. What
little I had went away with another ibuprofen tablet.

This isn't going to work for all people, obviously, and for others
among you I'm sure it's self-evident and something you've already been
doing.

But, as I said, it was a lightbulb moment for me, so I thought I'd pass
it along.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller
Chugiak, Alaska

It does make sense, but it also reminds me of that line from the
Stones' 'Mother's Little Helper'

'Outside the door, she took four more..'

I find the best way to stop my fingers aching (and they do, from time
to time) is to just get a few scales in at least every day even if
it's just 10 minutes. You play a lot of different instruments so your
fingers are under different stresses from mine (I imagine fingering a
dulcimer with that straight fingers down approach is pretty tough),
but keep 'em loose and they should be alright.

The other tip is instead of taking drugs use Evening Primrose oil.
Comes in capsules from your local homeopathic pharmacy. It takes about
a month to kick in but one a day really will keep your joints loose.

HTH,

Pete

.

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