Starting Over

[Loraine]

Hang in there @Sheryl14 . There is always a reset of our brain and hands after a break in practice. Just try to relax and take it slow. It will come back.

[Sheryl14]

Thanks so much Loraine! I appreciate your encouragement and plan to pick up my guitar tomorrow morning. You are a positive influence and I really appreciate it!

Sheryl14

[N-lightMike]

Hi @Sheryl14 ,

There seems to be 3 instances of your topic. I responded on another one of the instances. I see that you have already had @Loraine visit and share some encouragement. There was a slow down there with the site change, but now that the load speeds are back to normal, activity is definitely picking up.

I think one of the important things Tony teaches us is to keeping going the best we can. There will be the inevitable road blocks, but we don’t have to let those keep us down. You have started again, and that’s a big win.

MG 😀

[Sheryl14]

Mike, I am feeling much better with all things guitar now. I think I get discouraged when I feel I’ve been improving and then hit a roadblock. I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and this can be fixed so I am very happy!

Thanks again!

Sheryl14

[ted_h]

Hi, @Sheryl14! I’m glad things are going better! It’s hard when it’s physically challenging to play guitar. I hope your carpal tunnel syndrome improves speedy quick!

[N-lightMike]

Hi @Sheryl14 ;

I hadn’t visited this thread since I left my comment. I think that is one of the things that dampens this forum, it is not as easy to follow up on comments and threads.

Anyway, yes, carpal tunnel is a drag, but it can be managed in different ways. I think you have gotten a lot of good advice. I have one also. I was told to massage the big thumb muscle at the base of your palm. I have found that massaging the big muscle at the base of the little finger on the other side of the palm also helps. I would never have thought of doing that had I not been told about it (the advise was third hand, but was given by an MD).

I am happy to see that you have gotten more support and that the cheerleaders are still here. I am still not as active as I used to be, but I try to show up as often as I can because I think it’s really important that we support each other. It’s a big part of why my guitar journey continues on so reliably.

MG 😀

[Ron-N]

I too have been diagnosed with wrist ligament issues. Hope you have a good P.T. Try to stay with the 10 minute daily TAC challenge. Don’t overdue it. Let the strength come back before trying long practices. The forums are still messed up but the helpful people are still here in spite of the obstacles. Hang in there!

[Sheryl14]

Thanks so much Ron. I will follow your advice… working my hands and wrists too hard just causes worse pain. I appreciate the compassion in this forum!

[the-old-coach]

Cheryl-

Here’s something I’ve tried when decades-old hand issues come to haunt me. Maybe it also helps my brain “catch up” or “keep up”.

I know not everybody has the time- but…..

Maybe try this– limit the TIME you practice in one session– but have 2-3 shorter practice sessions in a day. I used to- (OK, sometimes I still do)- pound away for maybe an hour and a half in one practice session. My hands and brain were both pretty tired at the end- even when I was “in the zone”. I nowadays find that my brain— and playing-accuracy— is much better during the earlier segments of my daily practice(s). Hands, too. Maybe they- (brain and hands both)- just plain kind of get “tired” from extended periods of hard brain-concentration(?). Shorter sessions work great for me, anyway.

However, to contradict my own point🙄, I’ve read that “just beyond the point where you are comfortable is where to learn the most”.

Remember– the words “work” and “fun” don’t have any of the same letters. Keep it fun.

Anyway- maybe try something like this? I’ll go back under my rock now.

Go get ’em–

Mark J

[N-lightMike]

Great advice Mark ( @mkjohnsons ). I agree that learning is just beyond the comfort line, but it is inside the damage line. So I don’t think you did contradict yourself. It simply takes a fine balance, especially when we are older and have these difficulties. But I love the part about “work” and “fun” not having any letters in common. Nice one. 😄

MG 😀

[Sheryl14]

Thanks Mark! appreciate your info. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[the-old-coach]

👍