Guitar Pickers --most could probally use a massage

[Buck Cannon]

I finally got a real medical massage... not the Vegas style LOL! -- ahumm not that I ever had a Vegas style.

My muscles from playing guitar was so cramped-crystalized- scared over that she was shocked!

I let her be agressive and I'm feeling it today ( Sore )

she said that because of the movement we use while pickin geeters, that most could probally use a massage.

I put it off for years... heck now I'd take one every day if I was KING! LOL!

[Dana]

Yea, I've been due for some serious physical therapy. I've messed up my right arm from extensive practice.

[Joel Terry]

I love to have my left hand (fretting hand) massaged. To me, it's one of the best sensations in the world.

Joel

[Dr. T]

My wife the nursing student maintains that that's why I'm all knotted up and sore. I'm trying to convince her to get a massage therapy certification along with her RN ...

[TG]

I agree. My right arm is a mess.
Sitting here holding a computer mouse probably isn't helping us either.

[ye olde fretmonkey]

I get a lot more trouble with my back, from being on my feet for hours with the weight of a guitar across one shoulder.

A massage session (along with some chiropractic, exercise and stretching) did wonders on that end.

[xStonr]

Is there a happy ending? :?

[Buck Cannon]

Usally the, H~E --or so its called massage -- is not done by a knowledgable pro massuse.. So the quality or importants to your health and well being-- IE pain managment.. is sacraficed.
This I was told.. like i said this was my first ever... and I've never allowed myself into a PAY for it situation of any type.. there was always enough "threat of diesese" to keep me clear... so ya all know I'm not reccomening that to anyone -- don't go into those places!!.. Go on a real date ,, much better.. 8)

[chet]

Yeah, I need a good neck and back rub from that gal at "Alex's"!

[AJ Love]

I taught mt wife how to massage my arms, she's one of the best at it... I highly recommend massage for pickers... icing down your arm at the end of the day helps too

[GlennLewis]

There are some things that you can do for yourself in terms of the therapeutic massage, and some parts that you cannot do. I highly recommend a regular appointment with a certified (AMTA) massage therapist.
There is nothing better. Appology in advance for the length of this message.....

Now, what you can do for yourself is related to your hands and forearms. Let me see if I can find a website to direct you to, and if not, I'll do my best to describe it to you.

This one is not too bad. Catch these key points from the top of the article: "First, normalize the muscle-tendon soft-tissue with massage. Second, improve flexibility of the target muscle-tendon units involved." And then scroll down to the treatment for "tennis elbow"
http://www.biotone.com/Page.bok?file=art_art0805_1.html

They mention in the article compressive treatments and effluerage, which I'll explain while telling you what it is and how to do it.

The compressive treatment: Take one hand and knead the muscles in your other forearm. Feel for sore spots. When you find a sore spot, press down on it with a finger or thumb and hold it for a count of 10, then release. Keep looking for sore spots up and down your forearm, and from the inside of your forearm to the outside. Whenever you find a sore spot, repeat the hold and release technique. Eventually you will run out of sore spots, and when you do it is time to move on to effluerage. Effleurage is to move muscle waste byproducts out of the localized muscles that you just released by the compression, and move this junk into circulation. You do this with gentle sweeping motions of your fingers, laid flat against the muscles of your forearm. Your choice, move the fingertips gently but firmly either up or down your forearm for about 3-4 minutes. Now on to the stretching part of the therapy. Take the hand on the side you just massaged. Tilt the wrist down, elbow locked, and gently push the back of your hand down to stretch the muscles and tendons in the back of your forearm. Now move your wrist up and pull gently on it to stretch the muscles and tendons in the inner part of your forearm. Repeat with the other arm.

Do this daily while you are waiting for your appointment with your certified massage therapist. Splurge and get a full hour treatment.... you deserve it.

Not enough space to describe the hand massage techniques, but pay attention when the therapist does it and know that this is something that you can repeat at home..... AND YOU SHOULD!!

[TG]

Great advice there. Thanks.

I'd just like to add that the shoulder muscles and the muscles around the shoulder blades shouldn't be forgotten since they have quite an effect on the arms. I find that I can't get my arm muscles to relax if I don't get my back and shoulders done first.

[GlennLewis]

with everything you've said... I just haven't found a way to effectively rub my own back just yet.

There are some temporary things you can do with the rhomboid, spinialis, and teres muscle groups (the ones around your shoulder blades) that involve leaning agains door frames or trees or other objects that can give a compression to these muscle groups. Here's maybe one of the best ones. Take a tennis ball and place it on the floor, lie down and position the tennis ball under your shoulderblade, now roll around on the floor in such a way as to hit the sore muscles.

Guaranteed to make whoever comes into the room to ask "What are you doing!?!?!?".

[bo]

I had about a whole summer of PT from a case of Tenosynovitus (the hi-falutin' form of tendonitis) in the index finger of my fretting hand. One day I woke up and couldn't close that finger, it was in pain and weak. Part of the PT, along with several excercises, was the massage. Man, what a difference. It hit muscles I didn't know I had. I still do excercises daily for it and am back at full playing strength, but the finger still isn't 100% better.

[Dana]

Yea, I really have to get my right arm fixed. Picking is getting to be pretty painful.