Dealing with Pain? Tips and Resources for Harpists

[@LearningtheHarp]

What an amazing, kind and helpful video!! Thank-you for this, it's going to help many people. We constantly receive emails asking for help with this so we will recommend your video. I'm sorry to hear you've experienced so much pain yourself. It brings a matureness to your advice, but it's hard-won and for that my heart is sad. One thing I've found with washing dishes, is I wash with really hot water but wear rubber gloves. That way my hands still get warm but it doesn't soften the skin and make it prone to blisters. It was so sweet to see the smile of your face when you mentioned me ♥ Sending love, Stephanie!

[@StephanieClaussen]

I feel like I've barely scratched the surface here, compared to all the information there is to know about dealing with physical problems and playing the harp, but I hope this video can give people a place to start. I love the idea of using rubber gloves! My mom used to do that all the time and I'd forgotten.

[@RubyNightingaleone]

Thanks for the tips. Occupational and physical therapy has done wonders for me this year.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Hi Ruby! Good to hear from you. I am so thankful for PTs and OTs. It’s amazing to feel like you’ve got another person on your team, helping you and encouraging you!

[@SacredTaiChi]

What a gift to all musicians. Blessings on you!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks! One of the benefits of having problems, if sharing the solutions you discover!

[@jillgeary1313]

Oh thank you!! I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis - overuse and age related. I’m trying to avoid hand surgery.... I don’t play with my thumbs (too painful) and often my fingertips are extremely painful and/or torn and bleeding (not from harp playing - they just do that...). I have used paper tape, Gorilla Tips (made for guitarists - see Amazon) and even tried playing with silk gloves. Sometimes I just can’t play, which is heartbreaking. But the harp sounds lovely no matter what (or how many) fingers I can use. Thank you for posting this video. Love your music! God Bless

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks for watching - hope you found something helpful in the video. Thanks also for sharing your experience as well! I had not heard of the Gorilla Tips before, or thought of the idea of playing with gloves.

[@steveschack6885]

Great suggestions Stephanie! Thanks for addressing this important topic for harp players:)

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks Steve!

[@Maris-W]

Great suggestions and information in general. Thank you.

[@StephanieClaussen]

You're welcome - happy to share!

[@mfmiller9556]

Thank you! Many tips I did not know and will try. I have SLE and arthritis and playing is often a struggle, so thanks again.

[@StephanieClaussen]

You are welcome - I hope some of these ideas help!

[@robinmarks5638]

You are right on everything! I find icing afterwards helps allot for me with carpal tunnel. I also wear a splint on my hand and wrist every night! We were traveling once and I thought oh I dont need to bring the splint. Boy was I wrong! It makes a huge difference for me!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks Robin - Good to know that icing helps with carpal tunnel as well as tendinitis! I feel the same way when traveling - "do I really have to bring all this stuff?!"

[@CurtisLoretta]

Thanks for all the info, Stephanie!!

[@StephanieClaussen]

You are welcome! Hope you found some of it helpful.

[@CurtisLoretta]

@@StephanieClaussen - yes!! A question - do you know where I could buy a "sleeve" for my elbow? Thanks for any info!

[@StephanieClaussen]

@@CurtisLoretta This is pretty close to the one I have: incrediwear.com/products/incrediwear-elbow-sleeve?variant=14986286087&dfw_tracker=104540-shopify_US_4412729479_14986286087&gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRoko-vwDAhCkoPUatLhs4uuf2_4L_tF6XW4XvZEnRRMtHMM2v4BOkUkBoCmaEQAvD_BwE. They come in different sizes. But I also think I've seen them at Walgreens.

[@jacquelinetouchie9218]

Some great suggestions! Thank you.

[@StephanieClaussen]

You are so welcome!

[@philipshorey]

Sooo good! This is so thoughtful.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks!!

[@sandragayle7866]

Wow! I have been playing the harp for over 26 years and I had never had these pains. I am also a martial artist and I ride horses. I was actually a jockey 🏇 ya a woman jockey I didn't want to go big time. But the harp was always there and I practice even now a lot of hours I break in between my practice but ya never any problems like this. I broke my finger once playing ball in the house after it healed I went back to playing harp and being me. The piano is the one that give me a hard time. But the harp not at all. I also play the Gayageum, the korean harp.

[@StephanieClaussen]

That's amazing that you have no harp-related pain! Leading an active life style can definitely help with that!

[@Humawayharp]

Compression gloves...great idea.

[@StephanieClaussen]

I love them!