Are you suddenly feeling pain in your hand especially in the palm after playing an acoustic guitar? Well, this is a very common issue that acoustic guitar players face in the beginner stages. It is not limited to beginners only, veterans can even feel pain without some practice.
You feel pain for several reasons, one being pressure when fretting. However, in some cases, the pain can grow to become unbearable. Getting rid of this pain is not too difficult as you can do some guitar finger exercises for a guitar to manage it.
So being one step ahead will be a great thing to do! You must know why this happens so that you can take precautions if it gets worse.
If you want to get rid of this hand pain first find out why it happens in the first place. We’ll give you some tips on how to reduce them so that pain does not stop you from playing such a versatile instrument!
Understanding the Causes of Hand Pain While Playing Acoustic Guitar
Incorrect Playing Technique
One of the primary causes why acoustic guitar players experience hand pain is incorrect playing techniques. Poor posture and improper hand positioning strain the hand which can lead to pain. If you slouch when playing, you create extra tension. This puts more pressure than needed on the hands.
Common mistakes include:
● Over-Gripping: Fretting should come naturally. Many players grip the neck too tightly in a way to overcorrect the technique. This hinders movement fluidity and in turn strains the muscles and tendons in the hand.
● Incorrect Finger Positioning: If your hand presses down too hard at an awkward angle the hand will start hurting over time!
String Tension and Guitar Setup
Say your posture is not, the way your guitar is set up can also be a cause for hand pain. High-string tension is never good for the player or the guitar.
Action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. If your guitar is set up with high action you need more effort to press the strings down. Heavier gauge strings usually have high tension that can cause pain.
Quick Tips:
● Use lighter gauge strings, as a beginner. It may not sound great at first but it will help you develop the muscles in your hands.
● Always tune your guitar before you start playing. If you still feel the action is too high, have your guitar checked by a professional
Overuse and Fatigue
Sometimes taking a break can help reduce pain. Even if your guitar is in perfect shape, playing for too long can keep straining your hands.
So, if you are playing for a long time, consider setting the guitar down and doing some light stretches to relieve the muscles.
If you keep on playing your hand can cramp. In the worst cases, you can even develop serious injuries like tendonitis. Beginners are more prone to this as they lack finger strength and endurance.
Hand Size and Guitar Neck Width
Guitar necks come in different sizes. If your hands are too small or too large for the neck, it can lead to strain and pain.
Players with smaller hands may struggle more than the others as it gets difficult to fret. Before buying a guitar, test out different neck sizes and see which one feels good in the hand for you. Guitars with a contoured body can also be easier to hold.
So, try out as many as can before making the purchase.
How to Prevent Hand Pain When Playing Acoustic Guitar?
Warm-Up Exercises Before Playing
Before playing the guitar do some warm-up exercises so that the muscles in your hand get replaced. This increases blood flow and improves flexibility. You can also try devices like grip masters when not playing the guitar.
Examples of Exercises:
- Finger Stretch: Extend one hand in front of you with fingers spread wide. Use the other hand to pull back on each finger, holding for about 15-30 seconds for each finger.
- Wrist Rotations: Hold your arms out in front of you and rotate your wrists in circles, first clockwise and then counterclockwise to loosen up the wrist joints.
- Finger Drills: Practice simple finger exercises such as pressing down on each string in succession to increase dexterity and strength. Start with the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the low E string, the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and so on.
Maintain Proper Posture and Technique
As we mentioned before, holding the guitar with good posture can reduce strain on your hands, wrists, and back.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- When Seated: Sit straight with your back aligned and feet flat on the floor and place the guitar on your right leg to set the angle. If needed you can use a footstool for further comfort.
- When Standing: When standing keep your shoulders relaxed and your feet shoulder-width apart. It is best to use a guitar strap to keep the guitar in the right position near your torso.
- Finger Positioning: Keep your fingers curved and use the tips to press down on the strings. Flattening your fingers on the fretboard can strain the muscles.
- Thumb Placement: Your thumb should be behind the neck of the guitar for support.
- Resting Your Arm: Keep your forearm resting on the guitar body.
Start Slow and Build Endurance
You do not have to start at full force right away. You need to give your hand time to adapt to this new practice. With time and many practice sessions, the muscles in your hand will get used to the new practice of holding a guitar.
Begin with shorter practice sessions (15-20 minutes) and focus on specific techniques or exercises. As your fretting hand becomes accustomed to this level, add more time to practice. Make sure to take regular breaks in between.
Choose the Right Acoustic Guitar for Comfort
You can reduce pain in the long run if you get the right guitar for yourself. Someone with a small build should not play a full-size guitar as it will be difficult to handle. Ergonomics plays a big role in how easy it will be to play for a long time.
When choosing a guitar for comfort make sure the guitar has:
- Low String Action: Lower action makes it easy to press down the strings
- Thin Neck Shape: Neck shapes like C-shape are generally easier to hold for those with small hands.
- Body Size: Smaller-bodied guitars, such as parlor or concert models, are easier to play and handle over jumbo or dreadnought.
Hand Pain Relief Tips for Acoustic Guitar Players
Immediate Pain Relief Methods
If you have jumped to this part, then it is already too late and the pain is increasing for you. Here are a few quick relief methods to try out
Apply Ice or Heat
Wrap an ice pack in a cloth and apply it to where it hurts the most. This reduces inflammation and can cure sharp pain. Apply this for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Once the inflammation reduces, use a hot pack to relax the tight muscles and improve blood circulation.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Alternatively, you can even have over-the-counter pain relievers for temporary relief. Always consult a doctor before this so that you do not trigger any unwanted side effects.
Long-Term Recovery and Rehabilitation
If your pain has not gone away within the first 48 hours, try to consult a doctor immediately. In many cases, if you strain yourself too much you may even need physical therapy. It is better to solve the problem early on than wait for it to grow worse.
Ergonomic Accessories for Reducing Hand Strain
You can find many accessories that are designed to be more ergonomic for playing the guitar. They help reduce the stress on your hands and fingers, making it easier to play for longer periods without discomfort.
Our Recommendations:
- Guitar Straps: A good-quality, padded guitar strap like the Zager strap can distribute the weight of the guitar more evenly across your shoulder and back. This reduces strain that in turn reduces strain on your hands.
- Ergonomic Picks: Guitar picks can also help reduce strain as they improve grip and reduce hand fatigue. Check out brands like Dunlop and Zager for flexible ergonomic picks.
- Finger Guards: If you hand to you can even try finger guards or protective pads that cushion the fingers while pressing down on strings.
- Wrist Supports: While playing, use wrist support or a brace that can help stabilize the wrist and reduce strain.
When to Seek Professional Help
Warning Signs
Here are a few signs that can indicate that the pain is more serious than it seems:
- Persistent Pain: Pain that lasts for more than a few days and does not improve with rest and self-care needs to be shown to a doctor.
- Numbness or Tingling: Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in your fingers or hands could be a sign of nerve compression.
- Swelling or Inflammation: If your hand or finger swells talk to a doctor too as it can be a signal of tendonitis.
- Reduced Range of Motion: Being unable to move your fingers, hand, or wrist, or feeling stiffness is a normal guitar-playing problem.
- Weakness: Weakness in the hand can be a sign of nerve damage or other serious concerns. If you face any of the above problems plaguing you, do see a doctor or a physiotherapist immediately.
Frequently Asked Question
Is hand pain normal for beginner acoustic guitar players?
Hand pain is common when playing the guitar. However, long-term pain is something that you should not take lightly. Take a break between sessions and do proper finger exercises before a session.
How can I tell if my guitar is causing hand pain?
If you experience hand pain, change how you hold the guitar to improve posture. You can tell you have pain if you have difficulty fretting the string on the fretboard neck.
What stretches are best to prevent hand pain?
You can stretch your fingers by extending your fingers wide apart and hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat. For the wrist, you can perform a flexor and extensor daily before playing the guitar.
Get Ready To Say Goodbye To Hand Pain!
Hand pain can be a quick solution if you want it to. Just like one warms up before a workout, you should warm up your hands before playing the guitar. It may initially seem like a simple pain but ignoring it for days can build up to something very bad with time!
