Sometimes,

My right hand just came out of a cast. It was in there just for a week -- a sprain -- but I noticed considerable stiffness at my first gig afterwards.

Now I make sure to strech my wrist gently...forward and back, making sure to stretch my fingers out and massage the area around my thumb.

Sometimes before a gig I'll playing for 20 minutes. Three 2-steps and a waltz that you know very well. You'll be amazed at what it does.

Nick B.