News from the doctor’s office: A reality TV star is ready to begin a new life after a quick divorce and Dr. Benson says my hand is fine – a little carpal tunnel, little tendonitis but nothing serious. Keep the wrist straight when you can, he said, give it some rest but play guitar all you want.
It was about two months ago that the ring finger of my left hand started seizing up — hurting like hell — when hitting certain bar chords. I’d hoped it was something weird that first night, but it still felt tentative and tender over the next few weeks of playing. Fish Frye, of course, made do. I dumbed-down those chords and on some nights just ruled out certain tunes (till next time, “New Wave Girl.”) Sometimes it wasn’t pain but numbness, either in the hand or up and down the entire arm. Sometimes it was absolutely fine.
So in an experiment with being preventative, I spent hours of web-based research that amounted to watching lots of Leo Kottke. Further research suggested I should just go see the doctor, who today took my hands and pushed, pulled, twisted, tapped, jabbed, turned and squeezed and concluded it isn’t a blood flow issue or anything novel. It is, in fact, common – a result of over-use. It’s irritation that’s not going to do any damage if I keep playing during painful stretches. It’s just going to piss off my nerves, he said.
Tonight I can play like a champ, painlessly. And this past weekend all went fine at a winery, two wedding parties and a trucking company party. So with a confident smile from the doc, I’m choosing not to worry about it. But can you really do that with something you love? Just not worry?
It’s hard to tell, it’s hard to tell. Maybe the daylight hour gigs will be the suspenseful ones. And wouldn’t you know there’s one coming up this Sunday at Pub 500, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oh, and do catch us Friday at 5 p.m. at the Wine Café.
But back to The Frye. 