theory

For most guitarists the main problem with the hand will be fatigue and the inevitable cramping that follows when we play through it. The left hand tends to suffer more because pressing onto the fretboard requires more work from the muscle.

The main causes are related to technique, excess tension in the hand and simply playing too much. The most immediate problem is that your playing is severely restricted, there is no way you can play your instrument fluently if there is excess myofascial tension in your hand, arm or shoulder.

The fingers comprise of three long bones called phalanges while the thumb has just two. Each of the four fingers and the thumb attach to a corresponding metacarpal, long bones that form the body of the hand.

The joints where these bones articulate are named according to these bones. So we have metacarpophalangeal joints between the metacarpals and phalanges and interphalangeal joints, distal and proximal, between the phalanges. The five metacarpals connect with the wrist at the carpometacarpal joints.

Muscles that articulate the hand

Two groups of muscles articulate the hand. Muscles that originate on the arm and cross the wrist are called extrinsic muscles while those that originate on the hand itself are called intrinsic muscles.

Extrinsic muscles of the hand.

It's not as complicated as it may look.

The following descriptions are meant to explain the biomechanics of the hand, not to infer a preference for one style or technique over another. Any suggestions are purely in the context of reducing the tension in the hand, if you can live with a certain amount of tension, and we all can, then whatever works for you is great. If it's not working however......

The hand is a complicated piece of gear,

Apart from contributing to the position of the hand the primary function of the wrist that has relevance for us is its role in adjusting the tension in the extrinsic muscles of the hand. The wrist flexors and extensors described previously insert onto the carpal bones, parallel to these the extrinsic hand muscles cross the wrist and continue onto the fingers.

Muscles that articulate the wrist

The muscles that articulate the wrist can be broadly grouped according to their action. The flexors originate on the medial epicondyle of the humerus, traverse the inside of the forearm and connect on the carpals of the wrist, the metacarpals of the hand or the phalanges of the fingers and thumb. The extensors originate on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, run down the back of the forearm and again attach on the carpals, metacarpals or phalanges.

The wrist is comprised of two rows of small irregular shaped bones called carpals that articulate with each other as if they were two individual units. The proximal row also articulates with the forearm (the radius and the radioulnar disk) at the radiocarpal joint while the distal row articulates with long bones in the hand (the metacarpals). Within each of the rows much smaller movements can occur between individual carpals.

The wrist is the last joint in the arm with which we can position the hand. As the wrist moves the hand the muscles that cross it become shorter and longer. When the wrist is maintained in other than a neutral position these muscles rest at lengths apart from their optimum. When they have to work in these compromised positions they use a lot more energy, they fatigue and are more susceptible to overuse injuries.

This section will look at all of the factors at play in this important dynamic.

Biomechanically the elbow is relatively straightforward since it has only this one simple motion. Two other joints however can be considered as part of the elbow complex. The two bones in the forearm run parallel to each other when the palm is face up and they cross when the palm is face down. They articulate with each other at either end at the proximal and distal radioulnar joints. Although the distal radioulnar joint is closer to the wrist it is considered part of the elbow complex becauseof its close functional relationship.