Thanks for sharing with us, how you helped that man, Marci.
Very good that you rushed to alert them, even though they have often not responded well to your communications with them.
About your fingers/hand pain.
Did you try those arthritis gloves?
Have you tried wearing Any stretchy gloves, that would give a slight compression effect?
Or if not I would try wrapping. Preferably a stretchy wrapping, or any fabric wrapping around them. I'm surprised how it sometimes helps nerve pain.... sending a different sensory message to neural pathways......