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Guitar calluses for therapist?

Hello All, I was wondering if there are any therapists out there that play guitar!? I am excited to start taking acoustic guitar lessons however I had no idea this causes calluses. Does this cause a problem for your clients? Is your fingertip sensitivity nonexistent now? Is there anything I can do to protect my fingers? I have been a therapist for 13 yrs and so sad that my new guitar may need to go back to the store :)

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Permalink Reply by Cassandra Cravens on January 13, 2013 at 9:08pm

I'm planning to take guitar lessons this year too. So far as calluses, one of my instructors (who is also my favorite therapist) worked construction for years before working as a therapist. He says the major touch calluses faded after a few months and even though he has thickening in callus regions the creams and oils keep the surface skin soft.

What you're going to run into, I've been told, is that the oil and cream will keep your skin soft and the lessons may keep your fingers tender for longer, until the skin under the surface toughens.

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Permalink Reply by willows_of_saturn on January 14, 2013 at 8:34am

I've been playing guitar for years, the first few years bass guitar before switching to guitar itself, and am just starting to get into massage therapy, so I guess I'm coming at it from the opposite end that you are. :)
Breaking in your fingers on guitar, especially on acoustic, is definitely going to be rough - it'll tenderize those finger pads. If you find a nice balance between practicing guitar and your massage practice, I don't think there will be problems, and I think, long term, playing guitar will probably contribute to your skills as a massage therapist, bringing extra strength, dexterity, and coordination... especially if you're learning how to play lead guitar. And after a long time of playing, the close association that will be made between finger movements and different sounds could alter the way the brain processes the movement your hands make. So that could create a subtle influence on the way you massage too. :)