Playing through injury?

[ThirteenthHour]

Recently i've somehow aquired an injury to my left pinky and ring finger knuckles, but don't know why. I'm putting it down to cracking my knuckles in the lovely Scotland winter (Does sarcasm work on here?).

I have only recently been getting back into a strict practice schedule, and am wondering if I should give it a break for a few days? As i don't think it's any kind of muscle strain and it is just the cold wreaking havoc on my joints, and I don't particularly want to sacrifice any practice time. But I am wondering if i sould take a few days away from playing just to rest me hand?

This may seem like common sense, but then again, so would putting down your guitar during a show if your fingers are bleeding, and most won't do that either! :p

[DemonSorcerer]

No worries, i recently punched the wall seriously and broke my wrist....you can see a bump in my hand...it hurts for sure, but i can play...i can hold my pick and also i can play tremolo...too bad i can't hammer my RH pinkiy to nail 8 finger tapping licks...:S I think i'll take some Xray shots and go to the doctor to put a cast on my wrist...

David

[ThirteenthHour]

Now playing in a cast would be impressive! haha

[DemonSorcerer]

Now playing in a cast would be impressive!

...and guitar-damaging *sighs*

David

[ThirteenthHour]

Somehow i think even a wrecking ball wouldnt make my guitar play any worse lol

[Buebo]

Does anyone know if finger joint or wrist cracking can damage your joints or ligaments? Sometimes it feels so weird I just have to do it to be able to feel ok when playing (physically, i am sane :D). You won't catch me doing it in public cause I know how awfull it sounds when someone else does it. A while back for some time I didn't feel the need (physically) but maybe cause of the cold weather it returned. Also I picked up piano and although I don't practice crazy amounts it seems to pack quite a load of extra stress on my hands/wrists. And any people out there that used to crack joints and after quiting feeling benefits of not doing it anymore?

Greets, Buebo.

[ThirteenthHour]

Does anyone know if finger joint or wrist cracking can damage your joints or ligaments? Sometimes it feels so weird I just have to do it to be able to feel ok when playing (physically, i am sane :D). You won't catch me doing it in public cause I know how awfull it sounds when someone else does it. A while back for some time I didn't feel the need (physically) but maybe cause of the cold weather it returned. Also I picked up piano and although I don't practice crazy amounts it seems to pack quite a load of extra stress on my hands/wrists. And any people out there that used to crack joints and after quiting feeling benefits of not doing it anymore?

Greets, Buebo.

Cracking your knuckles can lead to arthritis(sp?) and isnt really recommended if you can avoid it! I only did it because some junky had tried to fight me, and I was getting ready to smack him back if he tried anything else lol.

[tara_bara]

Cracking your knuckles can lead to arthritis(sp?) and isnt really recommended if you can avoid it! I only did it because some junky had tried to fight me, and I was getting ready to smack him back if he tried anything else lol.

dunno.....ive heard heaps of stuff bout it giving u arthritis....but im not sure...some ppl say it does, some say it doesnt.....if your only doin it on occasion (ie to tell sum guy to f**k off etc) it shouldnt do much tho should it....if it does tho...maybe you should get it checked?? :confused:
hope ur betta soon!! hehe:D

[ThirteenthHour]

Nah once or twice wouldnt, but if you had to do it every time before playing guitar it would, and as playing bad habits on guitar (IE using your second finger to reach over 2 frets) can already lead to such problems as carpal(sp?) tunnel, id avoid it.

[Buebo]

Hmm found some stuff:
http://elfstrom.com/arthritis/knuckle-cracking.html

Lots of medical sites are all claiming the same thing, it wont cause arthritis directly but repeated injury of a joined can injure the cartilage.