Thinner pick for arthritic thumb?

[John Rosett]

I have always used a large, thick pick for playing mandolin. I started using the Saga David Grisman picks when they first came out, and I've been using the Wegen picks of the same shape for the past few years. I've had problems with arthritis in my fingers for about 10 years, but only recently have been having increasing pain in my right thumb. It feels like the repeated impact from striking the strings is what's aggravating it the most. I've been playing in a Gypsy swing band for the past year, and there are some pretty demanding tempos, and the pain is starting to be a problem.
I've been thinking about trying out a flexible pick, and wondering if anybody else has made a transition like this, and has any advice and/or recommendations.

[mandroid]

Try Herco Thumb/Flatpicks, you don't have to grip them so hard to keep from dropping them ..

[Bad Monkey]

I have a similar issue with my right thumb. In my case most of the problem stems from gripping the pick all night. The lighter grip I can maintain, the better (obviously, I guess) and anything that helps me keep a loose grip is a winner.
I'm using the Dawg pick with a strip of 180 grit sandpaper stuck on with double sided scotch tape. I can feel the edges of the sandpaper so I know the pick is oriented correctly by touch. Funny thing is how much my tone improved with the looser grip. And no more pick spin. I swap between mandolin, electric guitar, and bouzouki all night lone and haven't had the thumb issue since going to the sandpaper trick. Even on St Paddy's weekend when we played 8 shows over three days. No more buckets of ice water for me. I'm not even pre-loading NSAIDs before gigs anymore. One side benefit is that I have also relaxed my left hand quite a bit. Odd how tension in one hand transfers to the other.

[MediumMando5722]

The absurdly thick V-picks, like 4mm and thicker, are supposedly easier for those with gripping issues. That's what Vinnie, the owner, says anyway.

[John Rosett]

I honestly don't think that my problem is squeezing the pick too hard. This is something that I've been aware of for quite a while. I've been using the V-Pick Medium Rounded for guitar for a couple of years now, and I get the same kind of pain when I use it on acoustic guitar. I play a lot more electric guitar than acoustic, and don't have much pain, mostly because I use light gauge electric strings. I just ordered a couple of Ultra Lite (.8mm) from V-Picks, so we'll see how they work.

[mandroid]

Blazingly rapid picker, Soloist, Evan J Marshall uses an adhesive to stick his pick on his index fingertip..

He has come to do a show on the Tenor guitar gathering, weekend, twice, so far..

[MikeZito]

Another trick worth trying . . . take a screwdriver (Phillips Head works best for me) and scratch the heck out of both sides of your regular pick. The groves will give you some extra grip.

[Bob A]

Maybe a thumb pick?

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/picks/thumbpicks

[MediumMando5722]

I apologize for missing the actual problem in your original post. If you think the problem is from the impact on your thumb, a more flexible pick should definitely help. I bet the yellow (.73mm) Dunlop Tortex would be great. It's got some give, but it won't quite be like playing with paper.

Something else I just thought of, I knew a bass player who held his right hand in a loose fist like many mandolin players. His thumb stuck out for slapping, but he kept a pick sticking out between his index and middle fingers, so he could alternate between tremolo picking and slapping. Coincidentally, he used the thinnest pick I've ever seen, a nylon Dunlop .38mm.

If your thumb gets to hurting too bad it may be worth trying.

[MikeZito]

Yes, a more flexible pick would help with thumb impact, but I have found anything thinner than a medium pick (.73mm, or so) to be significantly harder to hold on to - hence the idea of using a thinner pick, but scratching it up with a screwdriver, to help the grip.

Also, just working on using a lighter 'touch' when playing can be a big help. Obviously, with a lighter touch you will lose some volume and tone - but it is better than possibly irreparably damaging your hand.

[DHopkins]

I use Monster Grips on my Dawg picks. The "stickability" of the silicon rubber is excellent. They're thin but last a long time. Come to think of it, I've never had to replace one. A little soap and water and they like new again.

[Paul Busman]

FWIW-- I too have an arthritic right thumb. I find that I can hang onto a thicker pick with much less grip pressure, which is much more comfortable. The Dunlop Americanas are good for that.
The sculpted Primetones, while thinner, are highly textured and are also very easy to grip with light pressure. They're what I'm using mostly these days.

[pops1]

I am usually plugging in these days, playing acoustic has always been my favorite, but I can play much softer plugged in and it helps the hand problem. Like most will find when you play lighter with your picking hand you play lighter with your fretting hand too. Using a mic I find I have to play harder also. At the volumes we play the mandolin sounds good and helps me a lot.

[bigskygirl]

I use a BC TAD80 which is very large and rigid. I have to barely grip it and it plows right thru the strings so I'll recommend a thicker pick and perhaps a technique adjustment should be considered.

Good luck it's no fun to play with discomfort, I developed dystonia in my left arm many years ago and stopped playing the clarinet and being able to write well for work, fortunately the mando is not affected and I'm retired now.

[UsuallyPickin]

I use a thick pick and a light grip, CT 55, and have "issues" with my thumbs and fingers. Over gripping with either hand causes pain that can stay on for several days so I am ultra aware of keeping it loose. I don't drop the pick any more often than I ever have. R/

[George R. Lane]

John,
Have you been to a Doctor to see exactly what is going on? Perhaps some medications or therapy would help with the pain. I too have pain, but in my left thumb, too may years developing B&W film. I use ibuprofen to help with the pain.

[NursingDaBlues]

I have always used a large, thick pick for playing mandolin. I started using the Saga David Grisman picks when they first came out, and I've been using the Wegen picks of the same shape for the past few years. I've had problems with arthritis in my fingers for about 10 years, but only recently have been having increasing pain in my right thumb. It feels like the repeated impact from striking the strings is what's aggravating it the most. I've been playing in a Gypsy swing band for the past year, and there are some pretty demanding tempos, and the pain is starting to be a problem.
I've been thinking about trying out a flexible pick, and wondering if anybody else has made a transition like this, and has any advice and/or recommendations.

I’m not totally certain that I understand the location of the pain. I’m assuming from the arthritis comment that you’re referring to joint pain.

On the other hand you could be experiencing a tendon or a ligament issue. It may have been an exacerbation of a pre-existing condition from an old injury that had not bothered you before. Or you may be unconsciously adjusting your playing style to compensate for the true arthritic pain, which is causing issues elsewhere. So the impact stress that’s caused by picking may not be helped by utilizing a thinner, thicker, or different brand of pick. And furthermore, I really don’t think you’d be happy with the sound of a flexible pick in gypsy jazz.

Regardless, pain is pain. What you’re able to do about it, though, may vary.

I’m assuming that you’ve already tried over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.). And I’m also assuming that you have not seen a doctor for whatever reason. So…

If it’s joint or muscle pain you can try topicals. Resting the hand and an application of sports creams/ointments to the affected area could help. 40 years ago I dabbled in martial arts. My Chinese instructor was a firm believer in a liniment called “Dit Da Jow” for deep bruises and muscle soreness. It really worked for those of us in his school. You can find it in Chinese apothecaries and on-line (I’m not too certain of the formulation of some of the brands sold on Amazon, so try to find an actual Chinese apothecary if you choose to go this route). I continue to use it when the arthritis in my hands is extremely bothersome; of course, for me it may be more of a placebo effect than anything, but since it seems to work I’ll keep on using it until it no longer helps. Soft warmth (i.e. heating pads or warm towels) can also offer some reasonable temporary relief; just don’t use hot.

If there’s a possibility that it’s a tendon or ligament issue, PLEASE step away and take a break from playing. Rest the hand. See an orthopedic surgeon. Don’t push it. My intent is not to alarm you, but to tell you to be cautious. I’d rather you took a break from playing rather than not be able to play at all.

Then it may be gout or pseudo-gout. With both, see your physician.

I hope that you’ll be able to find a satisfactory solution to this dilemma.

[John Rosett]

There's two types of pain in my thumb: The basal joint, and radiating up my arm a little bit, and also the first phalanx, or the bone between the middle and top joint has considerable pain. I refer to it as "arthritic" because all the rest of my fingers are arthritic, and it seems like my thumbs are just catching up. I have been using a prescription pain cream called Voltaren that is not doing much. I'll investigate the Dit Da Jow cream.
I have not seen a doctor about this specific issue. I'm not sure what Medicaid will cover, so I'll have to see. I have seen a hand specialist about the arthritis in the rest of my hands, and they didn't really offer me much other than pain management. Aside from playing mandolin and guitar for 45+ years , I've also worked in hand-intensive building trades most of my life, and that's caused a lot of damage. Thanks for the advice!

[NursingDaBlues]

There's two types of pain in my thumb: The basal joint, and radiating up my arm a little bit, and also the first phalanx, or the bone between the middle and top joint has considerable pain. I refer to it as "arthritic" because all the rest of my fingers are arthritic, and it seems like my thumbs are just catching up. I have been using a prescription pain cream called Voltaren that is not doing much. I'll investigate the Dit Da Jow cream.
I have not seen a doctor about this specific issue. I'm not sure what Medicaid will cover, so I'll have to see. I have seen a hand specialist about the arthritis in the rest of my hands, and they didn't really offer me much other than pain management. Aside from playing mandolin and guitar for 45+ years , I've also worked in hand-intensive building trades most of my life, and that's caused a lot of damage. Thanks for the advice!

Don't know what it will cover. Unfortunately, it's a dilemma that many face; and those many face an indeterminate future of pain and uncertainty because of escalating healthcare costs.

Voltaren, or diclofenac gel, is usually a pretty good analgesic. If it's not helping, the Dit Da Jow probably won't help either.

I edited my previous post with a comment on gout and pseudo-gout. If you are able to swing a physician visit, you might question this as well. However, I'm still concerned about a tendon or ligament issue.

I wish you luck and a successful resolution.

[re simmers]

I had thumb surgery 15 years ago by an ortho who specializes in 'musician hands.' Here's his order to me after the surgery: Get a normal size guitar pick, whatever thickness you prefer. Wrap the part of the pick where you grip it with that white medical tape about 10 times; make it about 1/4 inch or a little less. Leave the tip exposed to pick, of course. After my surgery I did this for about a year while I healed. It took a little while to get used to, but it worked.

Bob

[John Rosett]

I made an appointment at the local orthopedist to get it looked at. Thanks!

[NursingDaBlues]

I made an appointment at the local orthopedist to get it looked at. Thanks!

Let us know how things are going!

[Charlie Bernstein]

All good suggestions. Here's another:

I play guitar. A few years ago, my fingers started hurting enough from nerve damage and tendonitis that I began wondering how much longer I'd be able to keep it up.

So I got a squareneck resonator guitar. It's nothing like playing a roundneck, but you can get some cool sounds, there's no finger, thumb, or wrist pain, and people seem to like it - a great hedge against the inevitable.

Worth thinking about?

[John Rosett]

Yes. I started playing non-pedal steel guitar about 10 years ago when I first started having trouble with arthritis. I'm a huge fan of western swing, so playing steel is really fun. I also had a 4-string electric mandola built that's much easier to play than the little 8 string beast. I really love playing acoustic 8 string mandolin though, so I'm not going to give it up.

[John Rosett]

As an update: I went to the bone and joint doctor last Thursday, and got X-rays. My Basal joint is not arthritic, but the joint closest to the tip of my thumb is really shot. This morning, I went to a hand specialist, and she made this device for me. It is not clear to me how I'm going to be able to play while wearing it, but we'll see. She also suggested compression gloves, which i ordered, and lots of heat therapy. I have a hot wax bath, so I will have to start using it regularly.