Carpel tunnel - How do you avoid it?

NickInMesa · #1 07-31-2009, 11:12 PM

I am starting to get carpal tunnel in my fretting hand from practicing long hours (sometimes 3 in a row, until my fingers hurt, actually, but in a good way).

What can I do to avoid it?

Thanks

NickInMesa · #2 07-31-2009, 11:14 PM

Hmm ok for some weird reason I thought I was the only one to have it

I will read ...

Tama · #3 08-01-2009, 01:08 AM

Research begins here:
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management...unnel-syndrome

fearceol · #4 08-01-2009, 05:49 AM

Try some of these exercises.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4QOC...eature=channel

Les Izmor · #5 08-01-2009, 06:42 AM

Adam Nitti describes proper wrist position very well at the bottom of the page in the following link. He also provides great pictures of what not to do in the section titled "Avoid Sharp Wrist Angles":

http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_03.shtml

The above link shows the technique to use if you want to play bass for a long time to come (practicing shouldn't hurt after you build up your initial calluses, and finger muscles). "Easy does it" should be your mantra.

**BLDavis** · #6 08-01-2009, 06:52 AM

I've delt with it for years. Arthritis too. It sidelined me for a while and I took about a year off from playing to have neck surgery. Started back playing just a few minutes at a time and worked up to 30 min practice after 5 min warm-ups. After 5 years I still limit practice to no more than 45 min, (the length of a "normal" set) then take at least a 15 min break, re-warm-up and repeat. It works for me.
Good luck, B.

Rudreax · #7 08-01-2009, 08:31 AM

What I do is making sure I fret very lightly. I should be able to figuratively "glide" my hand up and down the next without having to apply any pressure (or very, very little).

NickInMesa · #8 08-01-2009, 11:29 AM

It came from playing while sitting for long hours at the computer, and just when I switched from a Foundation, which has a flat neck, to the P bass, which has a rounder neck. I believe the neck shape has its importance in the matter.

Asher S · #9 08-02-2009, 12:39 PM

I just posted this a few days ago:

Carpal tunnel success story

TOOL460002 · #10 08-02-2009, 11:30 PM

your body is a machine (kind of). think of nerves as being elastic (they are). i dont mean to talk down to you, so i hope im not coming off as such, but the less you bend your joints, the less nerve tension there is. tension means friction, which means inflammation, and repetitive use of an inflamed nerve leads to carpal tunnel.

thats my understanding of it. i have never gotten carpal tunnel from playing bass, but i have gotten it from computer use on 3 or 4 or 5 occasions, and the only remedy is to cease whatever motion youre doing. for me, 5 days means a complete heal. eat healthy, dont drink, dont use restricted chemicals, give your body the ideal recovery conditions.

i think of most bass playing as being fingers flat on the fret board. guitar peoples arch their fingers to let notes ring through (ie- chords). my elbow is bent, but my wrist is nearly straight. i dont know if that helps.

NickInMesa · #11 08-03-2009, 12:46 PM

I just barely played yesterday and let the hand get a rest. Good thing the band practice was cancelled.

Weirdly, as soon as I ditched the P bass, I got the groove back