Questions for the guitar players on the site

I've been dealing with some mild carpal tunnel for a number of years. I'm right handed, so I strum and pick notes with the fingers of this hand. Lately, I've not been able to grip the pick because of numbness and tingling in my thumb and fingers. I have never used a thumb pick before, so I was wondering if switching to this type of pick would help in allowing me to continue playing and practicing? Since I play mainly rock and metal how much of an adjustment would it be to go from playing with a regular pick to a thumb pick?

Thanks.

If you get a thumb pick that duplicates the positioning of the regular pick, it shouldn't be a problem. But it's likely to be very stiff.

I've been using 1.14 mm Dunlop Tortex picks.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...products/picks

When you say "stiff" do you mean a heavier/thicker pick?

I'm going to have to do a lot of experimenting to find the right thumb pick as far as the angle is concerned. I spoke to my instructor briefly over the phone and he said he would help me, and also that I would have to adapt to the new pick/style.

My father had that same problem as he grew older, and we tried three things that all seemed to help:

1. We used sandpaper to scuff up the "holding" part of the pick, to create a little traction.

2. We applied a thin layer of rubber cement to that part of the pick and to the tips of Papa's fingers, and let it dry before he started to play. It provided a little bit of tackiness that helped him hold on.

3. I used an X-acto knife to carve out a piece of a dense rubbery foam mousepad in a semicircle, and cut a slit in the flat edge to insert the pick into. Applying a tiny bit of rubber cement to the pick helped keep it in there.

I hope one of these techniques helps you continue to play in your usual manner! If not, though, the thumbpick may be a great solution. And you might try incorporating some bottleneck into your style, too!

Thumb picks take a bit of getting used to, but they do work as substitutes for normal picks. But still, they will never be quite the same. Is there anything a doctor could give you for the numbness? That would probably be the best way to go. You could try the techniques that Carol listed, but I'm not sure how much they would help since you're losing your grip due to numbness and not sweat.
You could also join the forums on Ultimate-guitar.net and ask for help there. I'm on there almost as much as TCS. There's a lot of people on there who would definitely be able to help you.

^Honestly, he should go back to the doctor to see how bad the inflammation is right now. If it's bad enough it could mean not playing for a while to allow the wrists to rest, bracing as much as possible, and exercises/physical therapy. If ignored scar tissue builds up and then the pain and numbness never goes away.

Thanks for the suggestions, Carol. I've tried the first one, but it doesn't help because its an issue with being able to grip the pick, not so much with it slipping.

I saw my doctor a couple of years ago about this. While I don't have the pain I did then or any noticeable swelling I do have the numbness and tingling. It bothers me more in right wrist and hand than in the left, mainly when I do things like grip a pick, write with a pen or pencil, tying on a fish hook/lure, or eat with a utensil. when I do those things I have to stop and shake my fingers/hand. It hasn't bothered me much at all when I'm working, which is why I haven't made a big deal out of it. I have to see my doctor next week about something else, so I'll bring my wrist up again. I do have a brace I wear from time to time.

It's just years of wear and tear and repetitive motion. I started feeling it about 12 years ago when I was still working as a cook. It hurt the most when I tried to flip a fry basket. It went away for a while when I started driving a truck but eventually started to bother me again. About two years ago it started bothering me again and that is when I began wearing a brace from time to time. My hand and fingers are getting numb from typing this. When it comes to my left hand, the one that I use to make the chords and finger the fret board, the only time it happens is when I play certain fast paced songs, such as "Phantom of the Opera" by Iron Maiden.

That's bad. Do push the doctor into checking how it is currently. Get an MRI done if the doctor suggests it. Wear your braces as much as possible if you still have them. Give your wrist a rest, too.

My DH has issues with tendonitis. He got it from playing WoW all the time a few years ago. It got to the point where he had to stop playing completely and severely limit all computer use. It did get better, though he has some minor pain from it now and then.

Maybe switch genres... how do you feel about doom?

Bryan, do you anchor your picking hand? Does your pinky or some part of your picking hand have to be fixed to the guitar as a reference point for you to play accurately? If yes, you should try to break that habit as soon as possible. It's not proven, but about 85% of the people on ultimate-guitar.net believe as I do: we believe that anchoring can cause or worsen CTS. I know there are a lot of great guitarist out there who do anchor and haven't had any problems, but I'd prefer not to take my chances. And also if you get rid of anchoring, your playing ability will mostly likely increase. I hit a plateau in my playing a couple years ago that I couldn't get passed for the longest time, but when I stopped anchoring, I could play faster, more accurately, and cleaner with no tension.

I'm sorry that didn't work for you... but to clarify, my father's issue was also a grip problem. What ultimately did him the most good was the third method, because he found it easier to grip the thick rubber than the thin, hard pick. Please give that one a try if you can!

But I also agree that you should be sure there's nothing more the doctor can do for you. I know paraffin treatments are often helpful for some... have you tried that?

Originally Posted by TigerOnTheProwl

Bryan, do you anchor your picking hand? Does your pinky or some part of your picking hand have to be fixed to the guitar as a reference point for you to play accurately? If yes, you should try to break that habit as soon as possible. It's not proven, but about 85% of the people on ultimate-guitar.net believe as I do: we believe that anchoring can cause or worsen CTS. I know there are a lot of great guitarist out there who do anchor and haven't had any problems, but I'd prefer not to take my chances. And also if you get rid of anchoring, your playing ability will mostly likely increase. I hit a plateau in my playing a couple years ago that I couldn't get passed for the longest time, but when I stopped anchoring, I could play faster, more accurately, and cleaner with no tension.

Click to expand...

Not always, but anchoring my picking hand isn't something I consciously do. Sometimes my pinky is used an an anchor, but the touching of the guitar with my pinky is very, very light. I would say I do this about 50% of the time, the rest of the time my hand is free. Palm muting is something I do a lot.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

I'm sorry that didn't work for you... but to clarify, my father's issue was also a grip problem. What ultimately did him the most good was the third method, because he found it easier to grip the thick rubber than the thin, hard pick. Please give that one a try if you can!

But I also agree that you should be sure there's nothing more the doctor can do for you. I know paraffin treatments are often helpful for some... have you tried that?

Click to expand...

I'd like to give the third method you mentioned a try. The only treatment I have tried is the wearing of a brace. Since it hasn't bothered me all that much until the past few weeks I never really gave it much thought.

Go to the doctor and get physical therapy, then. See if you can get ultrasound treatments thrown in.

If you keep ignoring it and try to push through the discomfort you may eventually face surgery.

I have never used a thumb pick. My dad had some, but he played a lot of blue grass style. I agree with what the OP said about don't anchor your hand to play. I was told that from the beginning by a man who was helping me. Also years ago, when I was worked and having to type all day long, I was treated for CTS by wearing a brace and giving my hand some rest. Has your doctor suggested that.

Here's a video of an impossibly young Steve Winwood in 1966, playing using a thumb pick.