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Hi @Sheryl14 , I’m really sorry to hear about your predicament. Without knowing what the cause of your hand and finger pain really is, I’m going to climb out on a limb and assume it’s some type of arthritis. I suffer from arthritis too, and it occasionally affects my hands and fingers as well. When I get a bought of it in the hand/wrist area, sometimes the joints in my fingers get so stiff and sore that I can hardly bend my index finger to fret a C chord due to the pain and swelling. I use a lot of topical creams and gels, some by prescription, and some “over the counter” products. When it gets bad, I use a warm compress on the affected area and try to move that/those joint(s) to limber them up. Then I apply a cream or gel on the area and continue to gently move the joint(s) around. Eventually I can move the joint in a normal fashion with slight to limited pain. When I’m at that point (in the case of my hand/wrist and playing guitar) I can pick up my guitar and play, but only for a limited time. Depending on the severity of the arthritis bought, I may use an ice pack after to help with swelling.
So the ointments I use are 1) Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 4% ( by prescription) and 2) Aspercream with Lidocaine, 4% (over the counter). Each provide temporary relief, but require frequent re-applications for sustained relief. I use both together, but the Aspercream seams to adsorb a little better into the skin, leaving less residue, and so better for the guitar in terms of less residue transfer onto the neck.
Hope this helps Sheryl and that you get better soon😎
