Ouch! My fretting hand hurts!

[Christian Schulze]

Hi Synner Folk!

I've been practicing some guitar lately, more rythim style and I noticed that my thumb after a while starts to hurt....like the fleshy part that connects the thumb to the hand. Mostly after a lot of power chords. I warm up before playing, so I dont think that that would be the culprit of this stiffness I guess. Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[Jesse Salmons]

Probably over stretching your hand, it happens man. Your hand must not be too used to playing a lot power chords, give it time and dont hurt yourself and before you know it you wont get that pain again

 

[Manvir B]

I use to get this a lot but not anymore, like Jesse said it's probably something that will get better over time.

 

[Forgetabull]

I found that recently too. Though it's probably directly related to playing a bit more (and when I'm using a lot of barre chords). I think it's like the others said. It's a "when you're hands get stronger it will go away". Bit like calouses on your fingertips and lack there of when you start playing early on.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Hi Synner Folk!

I've been practicing some guitar lately, more rythim style and I noticed that my thumb after a while starts to hurt....like the fleshy part that connects the thumb to the hand. Mostly after a lot of power chords. I warm up before playing, so I dont think that that would be the culprit of this stiffness I guess. Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch.

This is very common. It doesn't matter how long you practice or how perfect your technique is. It's a muscle that has to engage in order to do what you need it to do. Massage it out, stretch it out and make sure you don't overwork it. It'll get stronger over time

 

[Christian Schulze]

This is very common. It doesn't matter how long you practice or how perfect your technique is. It's a muscle that has to engage in order to do what you need it to do. Massage it out, stretch it out and make sure you don't overwork it. It'll get stronger over time

Wellp, it sure got stronger. Today I played for 3 hours, there was a little soreness afterwards...But yess it is getting stronger

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

I think its your thumb not being used to long periods of time with the pressure. I had that problem and man it hurt so bad for 1st couple of days. It was very very painful for me. But at that time, there were rehearsals going on and i spent hours playing just power chords and it slowly went away.

 

[Christian Schulze]

I think its your thumb not being used to long periods of time with the pressure. I had that problem and man it hurt so bad for 1st couple of days. It was very very painful for me. But at that time, there were rehearsals going on and i spent hours playing just power chords and it slowly went away.

Yessss indeed. Im making myself like an hour long playlist (or setlist) to play for a bit longer to get my thumb to become stronger.