blueiis2 - Posted - 01/24/2013:  11:09:20

I am hoping that this may help other banjo players.  I have focal dystonia in my right hand that mainly affects my index finger.  It curls up and refuses to do much of anything when I play banjo.  I have tried changing my hand position and really focusing on my right hand and making it relax, but really didn't have a lot of luck.  I recently tried something new that has really seemed to work for me and I wanted to share it with others that have the same type of index finger problem.  I devised a splint that I wear on my index finger that keeps it from curling all the way up when I play.  My index finger will curl up to the splint, but it is still in playing position so I can make it pick the string by moving my arm or hand slightly.  I get immediate feedback when I play with the splint because when my finger curls up, the velcro on the back of the splint tightens and I can feel that.  Without the splint, I can't even tell my finger isn't moving unless I look at it.  I practice with the splint on for a while, and I move my hand position and finger position around while I am playing until I get to where everything is working pretty good.  I concentrate intensely on keeping my index finger relaxed.  After less than a week, my index finger has started to open back up again between notes!  This is really major because it's never happened before since I started having this problem.  I can remove the splint and play and watch my index finger move much more correctly than it used to.  I am posting the link to my blog entry that includes a video of the splint and me playing with the splint.  The improvement in my finger has happened since I posted the video.  I am hoping that this is a sustained improvement.  Anyway, here's to hoping this helps someone else, too.  thebluegrassshack.blogspot.com...onia.html

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/24/2013:  12:11:24

Clickable link:

thebluegrassshack.blogspot.com...onia.html

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 01/24/2013:  12:16:46

Sounds great.

Very clever method of dealing with this problem.

Clearly, it is only a temporary setback for you.  You've persevered and that is really admirable.

Play hard,

Lew

Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 01/24/2013:  15:01:53

I hope it does get better for you Chris.  Your such a great picker / teacher I'm glad you don't give up easy.

kibbles - Posted - 01/24/2013:  17:35:36

Thanks for sharing your tip. i suffer from FD also. Have switched to plectrum, but am always looking for hope,cause nothing compares to Bluegrass. My ring finger curls under, and index sticks out. I would be very interested to know if the splint continues to work without causing other/different symptoms. I have heard of one case here on BH of another player using a splint that helped, but have also heard of many cases where it has made thing worse and i don't want to lose my ability to hold a pick. Please keep me posted on your progress.