hand cramping

Plstrns · #1 08-31-2010, 12:01 AM

Maybe I've missed the post I need to see.

I've had a bad time for the last 15 years with my fretting hand just locking up on me. Like a cramp, but different. Is it carpel tunnel syndrome, arthritis, diet. or what?

puddin tame · #2 08-31-2010, 12:04 AM

Hey man, we've got the same system. If I have noticable medical issue I give it 15 years to see if it fixes itself, then I ask the internet for a diagnosis if it's *still* going on.

Doctors are a scam.

Plstrns · #3 08-31-2010, 12:27 AM

It's not that. It's intermittent, and I thought someone may have the same issue. I'm 90% sure I have Carpel tunnel, just thought someone could chime in with what worked for them.

Slax · #4 08-31-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plstrns

It's not that. It's intermittent, and I thought someone may have the same issue. I'm 90% sure I have Carpel tunnel, just thought someone could chime in with what worked for them.

Do you find your hands go numb too? In any rate, even if it may not be carpel tunnel, you should see a doctor to see what's up.

Perhaps, you may be dehydrated when playing or just playing to hard for too long.

And also, to puddin tame, do you know how long it would take 15 years ago to get this far to post this question at 2400 bps dial up? Maybe he's just been waiting that long to finally get it posted.

Chris K · #5 09-01-2010, 03:50 AM

If you only have these symptoms when playing bass, you may be lucky. CTS will give problems also with activities like typing or gripping small objects. If so, see a doctor.

http://adamneely.com/2010/07/17/that-pesky-left-hand/

might help.

General pointers:
- relaxed and natural; like when you hands are hanging at your side; try to keep'm feeling that way when playing
- straight wrist; no bending inward (CTS) or sideways - is often to the pinky side in the lower positions (wrist tendonitis).
- move the arm mostly from the shoulder, not the elbow
- no squeezing the neck between thumb and fingertips; (when needed, some traction by gently pulling the elbow)
- don't be too particular about keeping the thumb opposite the middle finger, cramping your hand palm, but always do keep your thumb pad against the neck.

I suspect this last point is causing the trouble, certainly if you play a bass with a sleek neck and have big hands.

Chris K · #6 09-01-2010, 03:57 AM

Sorry forgot about stretching...

http://www.stretchnow.com.au/exercises/hands.htm

Of these exercises, nr. 6 might well be the single most important exercise for bass players

ric3xrt · #7 09-01-2010, 07:39 PM

My hand cramps comes from a pinched nerve in my neck,

Jamo2000 · #8 09-06-2010, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the link, Chris K. We played a long-ish show Friday & did Ghost Riders for the encore. No biggie, except for the fact that now that I have a fiver, I tend to play notes on the lowest string possible, y'know for the kids. Ghost (our transposition anyway) sports an ominous ostinato containing a wiiiiide stretch (C# to E) on the B string. I have large hands, but that's a lot of real estate to cover (but so worthwhile), and toward the end my hand actually cramped up (first time ever). ANYWAY, yesterday (Sunday) my left hand really hurt when holding things. Ibuprofen & ice did the trick, but it scared the hell out of me. Later I tried playing VERY gently & could do so without pain, but I consider the incident a serious warning & will take better care of my hands in future. Thanks for the very useful info. Speaking of taking care of your hands, I notice very few of us wear decent work gloves when loading in/out of gigs. I got in the habit years ago & stand by this cheap preventative measure.

jgroh · #9 09-06-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris K

Sorry forgot about stretching...

http://www.stretchnow.com.au/exercises/hands.htm

Of these exercises, nr. 6 might well be the single most important exercise for bass players

I do these very stretches before I gig and usually before band practice too. It helps immensely (for me, but I dont have a medical condition so it may not help someone with that)

laklandplayer · #10 09-06-2010, 10:18 AM

I had the same problem about 25 years ago.
My hands were cramping and sometimes locking up, I was thinking the worst and was really freaked out. I went to a hand specialist who is also a bass player.
He said "get a bigger amp and don't play so hard, let the amp do all of the work"
I was killing myself with an underpowered bass amp and playing too hard to compensate.
I got a larger amp and lightened my touch tremendously, haven't had a problem since.

Greevus · #11 09-06-2010, 10:26 AM

Been battling hand pain for 22 years. You have to constantly try new things, ie stretching, moving the bass on your body, changing techniques, etc. Repetitive strain is difficult due to the basic nature of being repetitive. For me, technique has been the biggest source of relief. Gripping/fretting too hard, or in awkward positions, etc. Small changes can make a huge difference. I also agree with everyone above's suggestions regarding shoulder pain/pinched nerves/numbness/etc. I've discovered that computer use, specifically the mouse, is a big culprit. I switched mouse hands and it's made a big improvement. Another thing is to simply relax and stretch/move your hands between songs/phrases, any time you can. I dig in really hard and with higher action, and both of these can be changed. Hard to unlearn muscle memory, but not impossible. I like the Dr that said "get a bigger amp." I'm always up for that!

Rebmo · #12 09-06-2010, 11:00 AM

I played JB necks 1.5" all my life, 70s JB, Rickenbacker 4001, 4003, G&L SB-2 & ASAT and really liked the thin necks for comfort. I also played wider neck basses 1-11/16" G&Ls and had no problems. Only lately, I started having problems with the thin necks. I have long hands/fingers and I suspect I am starting to have problems curling my fingers/hand to play the thin necks. I was waking up at night with my hand asleep and sometimes my pinky would get very stiff and painful when playing. I started playing the wider neck Stingray and G&L L-1000 and have not had a problem since? This seems strange since most folks go for the thin neck for comfort. I guess it all depends on the size of your hand/fingers even your body size and structure. Anway, the wider necks solved my problems, only now I have to sell all my thin neck basses but I will keep my JB.