‘When I tried to play, my hand spasmed and shook’: why musicians get the yips

The Guardian ^ | Tue 17 Oct 2023 | Lynn Hallarman

[John S Mosby]

TENS portable stimulator— both exercise and relax the nerve conduction.

Also, very effective is hand exerciser from Clinically Fit.

Just as a an alligator has no strength to prevent its jaw from being held closed (vs. crushing strength if biting down), so are the hands in reverse flexion.

Clinically Fit web page is down for some reason. This device really helps flexibility and strength and vs. cramping of locking fingers.

[dayglored]

Many thanks to you both for good information and suggestions!

[Ikeon]

they admitted it wasn’t a physical problem.

[KosmicKitty]

Thank you for posting this, I’ve been having spasms in my left hand and my fingers will freeze in odd positions for the past ten years. Never in my right hand.

I’ve worked on computers since 1980 and have been an avid knitter and crocheter since I was a kid.

[Albion Wilde]

Task-specific focal dystonia is related to repeating a physical action, like trilling a note on a keyboard. Smaller muscles working in refined ways seem most vulnerable. The precise movements characterising the muscle actions of archers (target panic), tap dancers, runners, hairdressers, golfers (the yips), musicians and computer programmers are found among people living with dystonia. Musicians seem particularly susceptible: as many as one or two in 100 are affected, usually professional players in their 30s or 40s.

I had this "claw" spasm the post describes after a car accident and whiplash, back in the day when I my occupation involved working precisely with my hands all day. I was helped enormously by a particular brand of deep-tissue massage called Rolfing. It's not for everyone or every situation, but it worked wonders for me and the good effects of taking the entire series of ten sessions lasted many years. Whoever wrote the Wikipedia page on Rolfing is misinformed and a hater.