Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

As some of you may or may not know, on August 28th I fell during Hurricane Harvey, breaking my right humerus while separating the shoulder. I had surgery on September 15th and a "centipede" was installed in my right arm. I've been having rehab three times a week since.

While going through yesterday's exercises, the therapist & I were discussing the lack of me being able to play any guitar. Afterwards, I got my Strat (probably my heaviest guitar) out and demonstrated to her that I would not be putting any weight on my right arm & hand while sitting down and wearing a strap. Then I played a few chords with the RIC 730S (again sitting down and wearing a strap). Anyways, in order to work on my "range of motion", she's okayed me to play no more than 10 minutes at a time, with at least 2 or 3 hours between sessions. She'll address the issue again tomorrow morning.

BTW, I learned very quickly that I can not tune the guitar(s) using the right hand to turn keywinds.

Furthermore, I consider myself to be luckier than most of Houston as I had no water enter the house or garage. Some of my neighbors were not so lucky.

Richard, good to hear you are on the road to recovery -- and that playing guitar is part of your physical therapy.

Be well soon.

Keep playing Richard.Get better soon mate.

The value of playing a musical instrument as a vehicle of rehab is greatly underestimated. Over ten years ago, I had blood clots and I lost the use of my left hand for awhile. I never told anybody. I was going to be dammed if I could not get myself back to playing. Starting slowly, with the "thumb-to-the-tip-of-each-finger," etc., I worked my way back to gigging. In the meantime, being so left-handed, the added benefit is that my right hand picked up the slack and I finger-pick better than I ever could before.

Hang in there. Yes, keep the weight off, but the coordination and actions it takes to re-learn how to play are probably the best "range-of-motion" exercises I believe there are, in my not-so-humble opinion, and having no medical reference except my own rehab.

Congratulations Richard, I am glad you are going forward. Easy does it. Photos welcomed of your journey playing guitar once again.

Richard --- glad to hear your recovery is making progress !