Hand Cramping

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peckhart

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So I've got an issue that's become fairly consistent. Over the years towards the end of a full nights gig I would occasionally get leg cramps and sometimes hand cramps where my hand would cramp and basically lock up.
It's starting to happen every show. I try to hydrate properly every day including show days and often drink electrolyte filled coconut water before I leave for the gig.
Anyone else ever have this happen? Any tips on what to do?
 
the only thing that has ever worked for me as far as hand and arm problems is playing less.
 
Keep hands warm
Do not spend lot of time on cellphone that day
iPhone and typing will aggravate carpal bad
You may need a more
Comfortable radius on the guitar neck
Thin necks are great but they can fatigue
 
I get this now for about 5 years. Don't panic it makes it worse. Yes hydrate eat bananas. I usually use wide wristbands. Find the spot in the songs where you stop or between songs and shake it out. My hands and arms fall asleep at night also. It's just one of those things that happen as you get older.
 
I developed bad had problems as well. I've been playing around 40 years. The only thing that helped was to stop playing all together for a extended period of time. I literally didn't play for about three years. I spent time doing other things I love. It was quite refreshing actually.
 
I have been playing thicker necked guitars. Super thin necks have become increased some pain in my left thumb.
 
You're getting dehydrated. Drink more water, reduce salt intake.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I play LP Axcess guitars and the necks have a little beef to them.
I can play a bunch at home or long rehearsals with no problems. I think because of adrenaline I end up gripping too hard during shows. That on top of jumping around sweating are probably major contributors. I will try hydrating even more and eating a banana for the potassium.
 
thenine":1lopizmy said:
I have been playing thicker necked guitars. Super thin necks have become increased some pain in my left thumb.
Click to expand...
This has helped me, along with the previous mentioned taking a break from playing, maybe not stopping but just doing little every day like 10-15 minutes.
 
I watched a Gene Hoglan (drummer for Death/Testament/Fear Factory/etc) drum video before and in it he went thru some stretches that he always does for his fingers and wrist before playing that he says makes all the difference in the world. I do them now all the time before I drum and also do them before playing guitar and it seems to help quite a bit for me. Was looking on youtube to find it but ended up finding a vid with the same stretches here...



See if it helps, best of luck!
 
halebox":3ppi32cp said:
I get this now for about 5 years. Don't panic it makes it worse. Yes hydrate eat bananas. I usually use wide wristbands. Find the spot in the songs where you stop or between songs and shake it out. My hands and arms fall asleep at night also. It's just one of those things that happen as you get older.
Click to expand...
What's the wristband for?
 
Went and saw my wrist and hand doctor about this exact same thing. Along with having cyst in my wrist that prevents any kind of extreme extension up or down of my wrist, he mentioned that the cramping is not due to muscle cramping but that it was probably nerve related so potassium wouldn't do anything. I've found that stretching and loosening your grip like mentioned above has made a world of difference for me. Also warming up my fret hand thoroughly before a show. Like yourself I never experience it at home when practicing hours on end but at gigs usually near the hour and a half mark is when I would experience it. I now force myself to use a lighter touch with my fret hand. It's hard cause your adrenaline gets going during a show. That and doing quick stretches similar to that video above in between songs seems to have helped me. Good luck.
 
I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but try raising your guitar up a little bit more as the night goes on. I know it's not a 'cool' look, but it might help the angle at which you're playing. Also, as my had starts to get sore, I try to mix up my bar chords with the Hendrix thumb over the neck. Just doing that here and there seems to relieve the stress on my wrist, which allows the blood flow back into my hand.
 
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