Hand cramps?

[allenhopkins]

Well, the fifties have not been very good to me. I'm looking for better times after I turn 60 in January.

Guess again, youngster.

Cramping can be a result of low electrolytes, and that's what "sports drinks" were developed to counteract. Worst cramps I've had have been after high activity levels in very hot weather.

On the other hand, repetitive motion (fretting my mandolin at a multi-hour jam, e.g.) can also bring on hand cramps. One reason I like to have another instrument to switch with.

[Bernie Daniel]

Originally Posted by Doug Edwards View Post
Well, the fifties have not been very good to me. I'm looking for better times after I turn 60 in January.

Guess again, youngster.

Been there done that! Agreed! I would look to history books for those better times!

[Bernie Daniel]

Guess again, youngster.

Cramping can be a result of low electrolytes, and that's what "sports drinks" were developed to counteract. Worst cramps I've had have been after high activity levels in very hot weather.

On the other hand, repetitive motion (fretting my mandolin at a multi-hour jam, e.g.) can also bring on hand cramps. One reason I like to have another instrument to switch with.

Exactomundo. As time goes on even you brain can cramp up.

[greg_tsam]

You old codgers are funny. Repetitive actions eventually cause breakdowns. We can maintain our body with diet, rest, exercise to a point but it's bound to catch up with us at one point or another. However, the body was made and is meant to be used and daily, physical activity is good and beneficial. Joints seem to have a problem with this but a rolling stone gathers no moss and staying active is preferable to sitting around and getting stiff.

Take the previous suggestions and try some out and see what works best and practice listening to your body (i.e. - pain) and use moderation when necessary and warranted.

[barney 59]

Dupuytren's contracture is genetic and most common in Northern Europeans. Heavy work probably can help advance the condition, but if you've got it blame your parents! There is no cure but they can knock it back with surgery, or this needle thing they do and more recently an enzyme thing that is becoming popular. I've got it but not too bad.

I commonly get cramps and often in my hands.
I agree about the salt but I am skeptical about it being sodium only. There's lots of different salts and most of us get more sodium than we should but most likely very little of the others that we require. I find that if I take electrolytes and multiple mineral supplements that it greatly reduces cramping. If I find myself cramping up I do something that I really really hate which is to down a Gatorade, that stuff tastes like S#%&! It will stop the cramping for me, at least temporarily.
Nothing is worse than a hand cramp when your playing---you can't do a thing!

[Bernie Daniel]

...I agree about the salt but I am skeptical about it being sodium only. There's lots of different salts and most of us get more sodium than we should ...

That is true except when you don't. That is yes "normally" most of us take in a lot more sodium than we need -- but even so an individual can get into a situation where their sodium supply is depleted briefly (excessive sweat and water consumption) and consequences can follow.

I agree that other salts (cations) could be the source of troubles for certain individuals as specific times -- and there are tastier sports drinks than the old Gator -- but I don't find it objectionable especially if it is cold.

[Bernie Daniel]

You old codgers are funny. Repetitive actions eventually cause breakdowns. We can maintain our body with diet, rest, exercise to a point but it's bound to catch up with us at one point or another. However, the body was made and is meant to be used and daily, physical activity is good and beneficial. Joints seem to have a problem with this but a rolling stone gathers no moss and staying active is preferable to sitting around and getting stiff.

Take the previous suggestions and try some out and see what works best and practice listening to your body (i.e. - pain) and use moderation when necessary and warranted.

I may be old but what is your proof that I am a codger?

[greg_tsam]

I may be old but what is your proof that I am a codger?

Codger was my 2nd choice of words. My 1st would have been more accurate but it was on the Cafe naughty word list. I didn't think that word was offensive but what did I know. Everybody does it. Some more than others and usually it's fun, almost always relieving and you almost always feel better after doing it. It starts with an "f" and is four letters long but now that everyone is thinking about a real dirty word you should be ashamed. Now go wash your thoughts out with a bar of soap. Art by any other name would smell as "sweet"?

Hope your hand cramps go away.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Greg - "Codger was my 2nd choice of words.". You wuzn't a thinkin' of f***s wuz you ??. Extra chores for you today buster !!!!!,
Ivan

[strings777]

Codger was my 2nd choice of words. My 1st would have been more accurate but it was on the Cafe naughty word list. I didn't think that word was offensive but what did I know. Everybody does it. Some more than others and usually it's fun, almost always relieving and you almost always feel better after doing it. It starts with an "f" and is four letters long but now that everyone is thinking about a real dirty word you should be ashamed. Now go wash your thoughts out with a bar of soap. Art by any other name would smell as "sweet"?

Hope your hand cramps go away.

Greg, I had a "gas" reading your post, excuse me, the phone is ringing...your son Rip is on line toot.

[Bernie Daniel]

Codger was my 2nd choice of words. My 1st would have been more accurate but it was on the Cafe naughty word list. I didn't think that word was offensive but what did I know. Everybody does it. Some more than others and usually it's fun, almost always relieving and you almost always feel better after doing it. It starts with an "f" and is four letters long but now that everyone is thinking about a real dirty word you should be ashamed. Now go wash your thoughts out with a bar of soap. Art by any other name would smell as "sweet"?

Hope your hand cramps go away.

I don't think the codger is offensive either -- I just asked you for your proof. Maybe I should have added a smiley face. Certainly it is a better word than the dreaded "art-fay".

BTW I'm not the one with hand cramps -- although I do get them from time to time.

[Timmando]

Personally I would forget about all the pill supplements for vitamins and minerals. Those pills only contain what the FDA thinks (at this moment in time) is our minimum daily requirement...and worst of all, those pills only contain the chemicals that the scientists can analyze for. In other words, an apple contains many nutrients, most of which a lab test cannot even identify, let alone duplicate and put in a pill..you can only get them from an apple...period. The same goes for all the other fruits and veggies...eat the real mcCoy as intended, forget about the corporate pill solutions...

[Bill Stokes]

This could help a lot. Only way to find out is to give it a try.

best wishes,
Bill

[Bill Stokes]

p.s.

[greg_tsam]

Nice video, Bill.

I've had my massage license since 2006 and have run across that technique but never with a Lacrosse ball. I'm not a doctor either but what Bill is doing is finding a tight (hypertonic) muscle at it's origin and pinning it then using passive stretching to lengthen the muscle. It works well.

Here's a quick and crude analogy. The muscles in the forearm are your "clamping" muscles. They open and close the hand. The muscles in between the fingers are like assist, or stabilizer, muscles that apply pressure when you squeeze or keep the hand rigid like when you salute or do a karate chop. Simple analogy so don't sue me for not showing off my $5 technical words. Using that info you can figure out what you're doing that's causing the problem if it is muscle related. Could be structural like arthritis, bone spurs, poor technique and angles in movement.

I've also taken CEU courses in myofascial release that would say that you have to stretch the fascia for at least 90 seconds before it starts to release in addition to applying specific, but very simple, techniques to the affected area. Myofascial release feels great but hardly ever done because most people won't pay for someone to gently stretch they fascia. It doesn't seem like anything is happening until you get off the table and try walking around. Most want an elbow or a thumb shoved into the offending muscle on a pressure point. Humans love pain.

BTW, before I start sounding like I'm on my massage therapist soapbox I'll just say everyone knows what a good touch feels like and Bill is right, it couldn't hurt...unless it does. If anyone wants to PM me with massage related questions, feel free.

[greg_tsam]

Personally I would forget about all the pill supplements for vitamins and minerals. Those pills only contain what the FDA thinks (at this moment in time) is our minimum daily requirement...and worst of all, those pills only contain the chemicals that the scientists can analyze for. In other words, an apple contains many nutrients, most of which a lab test cannot even identify, let alone duplicate and put in a pill..you can only get them from an apple...period. The same goes for all the other fruits and veggies...eat the real mcCoy as intended, forget about the corporate pill solutions...

I agree that the best way to get your vitamins is fresh food that isn't overcooked. There's quite a bit of debate and research that says vitamins aren't readily absorbed by the body and is just passed out thru the body. Makes for some really cool, technicolor trips to the potty.

[Doug Edwards]

Happy to say no cramps in almost a week. I backed off my sanding, took calcium, ate bananas, and drank Gatorade. The rest may have done the most good. I'll out on vacation most of next week, so I should be good to go when I get back.