Health isues and how it affects playing

You have my sympathy Graham. At 74 myself I've got aches and pains in places I never knew I had places! For about 10 years while I was still working and gigging I was suffering with knee pains in my left leg. I put it down to badminton and using my left leg to hold me up while using my pedals. Also realising now I played football in my 20s and when I was in my teens I gave that knee a hell of a knock with a sledgehammer. Anyway it all contributed to me giving up the gigs and so I have to take out my angst by writing and recording songs. There's no feeling like the buzz you get when an audience gets behind you and that's what I miss most of all apart from realising I can't hit that top C anymore.     

I used to use a capsicum based spray for my lower back (twisted it when I was younger, pangs every now and then) - I'm not sure if you can still get it, or the legality in some places across the world.

It works by heating up the area where it's applied, which loosens the tendons and muscles - but it is one where your mileage may vary ...

Cheers

Richard     

You can try rubbing organic castor oil into your aching joints,  especially at night before bed so it soaks in through the night.  But use whenever you think to put it on.  It won't work straight away, but it's one of those things that the more you use it, the more it helps.     

Laugh Lots ... Forgive Much ...  Love one another     
Covers and some Originals found over there    ------- >    https://soundcloud.com/ukulelejan

Thanks  Jan  allthese  tips are  great