I wondered if anyone has any warmup exercises to keep your fingers healthy?
My left hand finger joints (fretting hand) became quite painful in the last few months in the first joint of the ring finger and middle finger. Any pushing down on those fingers, sometimes even typing on a keyboard, makes them ache. I’m not a professional musician; I’ve practiced guitar for 1-2 hours a day, but my job involves a lot of typing. I’ve been playing guitar on and off for the last 30+ years, so it’s not the usual end of the fingertip pain, it’s between the finger joints. I also developed a weird lump in my middle finger at that joint, the GP said it’s most likely a ganglion cyst. This lump has reduced in size as I’ve had to take a break from playing the guitar for 2 weeks.
I reduced my caffeine intake from 20-25 cups a week to 2 and that has helped as well. I read that caffeine can make osteoarthitis worse (if that’s what it is, but I’m “only” 51).
I was practising more difficult jazz pieces (wonderful Bill Frisell transcriptions made by Jan Jakut), probably my technique isn’t good enough. I need to pay attention so I’m not pushing down too hard on the strings. Time for lighter strings? Tune down a half step? I’ve used 10s forever. I also decided to buy a lap steel guitar to divert my attention to something else, I will start learning some Hawaiian lap steel classics soon. I also decided to learn how to solder so I can change pickups, etc. 
I’m sure professional musicians have encountered similar issues, so I’d be very grateful for any suggestions. Push through the pain or take a break, which one worked for you?
Initially I didn’t touch a guitar for 2 weeks, then started gradually with shorter sessions and stopping as needed. I’ve taken a day off here and there, not stressing too much about it. I’m back to learning Bill Frisell transcriptions, I couldn’t be happier. 