Hypnosis with a pain therapist. Learning to take deep breaths as a response to pain escalation. Keeping pain at a lower level in the first place! By actively working on it, I only guard in the most extreme of flares when out in public now. By using a down pillow to protect against vibration when traveling, helps prevent alot of misery as well. I only drive very short distances (under 20 minutes one way is about my max.) it does mean giving up some independence, but by using trains, or having someone else drive, I'm still effected by vibrations, but am in less pain and safer to others as well.

Guarding a hand will cause a chain reaction leading to complications in your elbow, shoulder, trapesis (sp?), neck, down your shoulder blades, and the rest of your back. Then a combo of massage, stretching and warm water with Epsom Salts, etc. is needed to help those issues.