Exercises for aging hands?

[Doc Dan]

Hi folks,

I was learning a stringed instrument as an older man, but then, about 2 1/2 years ago I was riding my motorcycle and a car decided it wanted to be in the same spot I was in. The short version is, that after shattering a shoulder and several broken bones in my left hand and wrist, I find getting back into playing shape a challenge. It is doable, but things are rather stiff and don't always want to cooperate. I'm sure there are a lot of older players around, as well.

Are there any exercises that any of you can recommend to limber up stiff wrists and hands and fingers to make playing easier?

[Ohio Tom]

I do some mild stretching of my wrist and fingers just to loosen them up.
Nothing heavy thou, I tend to hurt myself trying to hard.

 I then run chromatic scales to get them all working in harmony.

[KM Frye]

Cancer treatments and all the associated bumph that goes with the disease kept me away from my guitars for about a year, and I've just got back to it recently...  I agree with the chromatic scales, and to start out, I might suggest a little Mel Bay exercise from decades ago - "Hitting on all Six", which is still printed in Book One, so far as I know. It does not stretch the tendons a lot, but it does seem to get things moving in the right direction.

Start slow, and gradually build up dexterity and paces over time. It worked for me.

[Edward]

Hi folks,
... The short version is, that after shattering a shoulder and several broken bones in my left hand and wrist, I find getting back into playing shape a challenge. ...Are there any exercises that any of you can recommend to limber up stiff wrists and hands and fingers to make playing easier?

Hey there Doc,

Sorry about the issues!  Any recovery from injury is a difficult one, and age seems only to compound that.  I had a bout with Carpel Tunnel some years back, and was very thankful to have wound my way back to playing, all the while being so very fortunate to have escaped surgery.  Time, visits to phys therapy, and exercising patience that I didn't necessarily have much of (doing my best not to do myself more damage by trying to hurry up and heal!) got me back.

Whether it is music, athletics, or an occupation, may I suggest the most obvious route is ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist. And likewise, a PT to really address the exercise/warm-up routine.  What you are asking is not uncharted ground for professionals; treating these specific maladies is what they do, right.  So I get what you're saying here as you are asking if anyone in the community may have some tips that have helped them.  That's cool and all.  But it's the ones who know bones and tissues that will likely give you the best advice here.  Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious ...just mentioning what helped me and I hope that you find the right "things to do" to find relief!

Edward

[Doc Dan]

Thanks everyone! It is a bit of a challenge. It is like starting all over again...and in a way, I am. I try your suggestions.

[Guitars44me]

 Plenty of good advice here already.  As each person is different, and their physiology as well, it really makes sense to talk to a professional bodywork person,  or better yet a few of them!

I am fortunate to have a triple threat bodywork guy. He started out as a massage therapist, then he went to school as a chiropractor. Then he went back to school and got certified in motion  therapy as well. So he uses whatever techniques will work best for what's going on in my body at the time.   He has given me lots of exercises to do as well

I also got more really good exercise and stretching suggestions from physical therapy pros  through my HMO. You should talk to your doctor and get a referral or three