Health Related Issues To Playing

[Fergie Fulton]

This is a thread about health aspects that could arise out of playing bass.
Because of the complex nature of such a thread it has be categorised in to main groups.
Under each heading you will find relevant information. Under some there are multiple links to provide a balanced view point of information.

If you are suffering any kind of health problems only a qualified medical professional after a face to face consultation and examination can give you a correct and beneficial diagnosis. This is merely a guide to those looking for information, its use and interpretation is the responsibility of the person using it.
It is presented in sections dealing with areas of the body for ease of use, then associated areas of use, support information, exercise and stretching.
The links will lead to other links and prompt ideas for better specific searches if more is required.

This post is just a guide to information in the form of links, which in turn may have links to other material feel free to use them, but they are not endorsed or reflect the views or myself or Talkbass

If you want to discuss certain points that may be raised please start a new thread for more information.
If you need help to find a link or information please start a thread and an answer will be provided if available.

These links will be updated as more information becomes available as they are ever developing subjects.
If any links fail, or the information is not relevent anymore, please inform, so it can be modified or removed.

Some facts about hands, a quick introduction
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/facts.htm
http://www.acguitar.com/issues/ag93/handinjury.shtml
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.12/mccarthy.html

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ( CTS )
http://www.acguitar.com/issues/ag93/handinjury.shtml
http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical...elsyndrome.htm
http://www.drlamb.com/ulnar_neuritis.htm

Pinched nerve symptoms
http://www.spine-health.com/conditio...al-nerve-roots

The radial nerve explained
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radial_nerve

Phalens Manoveroure and Tinel’s Sign explained.
http://turner-white.com/pdf/hp_jul00_tinel.pdf

Cubital Tunnel syndrome, sometimes mistaken for CTS as symptoms appear to be similar
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1231663-overview

The ulnar nerve explained
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve

Tendonitis complaints
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/disea...ders.html#_1_4
http://www.eorthopod.com/public/file...osynovitis.pdf

Bony lumps on the fingers (nodes)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heberden%27s_node
http://wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/h...-causes-8a.htm

Trigger finger
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trigger-finger/DS00155

Dupuytrens Contracture
http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw009.htm

Swollen hands
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hand_swelling.htm
http://walking.about.com/cs/med/a/swollenhands.htm

Cold Hands/Poor Circulation
http://www.health.com/health/library...180983,00.html
http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/ar.../raynauds.html

Rheumatism
http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/...sm/default.htm

Arthritis
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Arthrit...roduction.aspx
http://www.medicinenet.com/arthritis/article.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5410401.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8310792.stm

Neck pain
http://knol.google.com/k/michael/nec...So4t-D/f6J-VA#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_%28medicine%29
http://www.ifomt.org/pdf/Guidelines/WhiplashGln.pdf

Back pain
http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6002/6002.asp
http://www.backpainadvice.co.uk/
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cy..._back_pain.php

Varicose veins
http://www.veins-on-hands.com/Veins-...-on-hands2.htm
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/h...ose_veins.html

Hearing conditions.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/M...ring_Loss.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tinnitu...roduction.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meniere...hat-is-it.aspx

Problems with the eyes
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/common-eye-problems
http://vision.about.com/od/sportsvis...plications.htm

In this section below some basic anatomical information needed to understand and make decisions about your health.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprioception

Blisters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blister
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calluses


Basic motor skills examination as a reference to what should happen in one.
http://edinfo.med.nyu.edu/courseware...ery/motor.html

Bones of the hands
http://www.infovisual.info/03/027_en.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpus

Muscle groups of the hand and arm
http://chestofbooks.com/health/body/...nd-Joints.html

Muscle groups of the neck and back
http://backandneck.about.com/od/musc...shouldpain.htm
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/327/7413/475

[cliffbass]

helpfull

[jonnyonbass]

yea, helpful. thanks. just turned forty and keeping up a very busy playing schedule. noticed that stretching the muscles often and keeping them from getting stiff in between playing makes a big difference. not only the muscles in your hands and arms, but all the way through your back (and even your entire body).

[BD Bass]

Wow..I sold my bass for a 50 cal, tactical assault rifle.........!
Really.....thats alot to read....super helpful, I must admit

wheres my bullets

[MyWifeBoris]

I don't see why you'd need your eyes for bass-playing.

Though, I CAN see why you would for playing a nonfretted bass.

[tobie]

You may want to add http://www.handuniversity.com. It helped me discover RTS (radial tunnel syndrome - easily confused with CTS and not a stranger to quite a few bass players).

[Wholksdaskppy]

U fella's seen that new Torzal Twist Bass? its supposed to make some of those problems at least kick in later down the road. Im sure its gotta be expensive lil beast too. but peep it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLi8pOa6zYk

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Wholksdaskppy

U fella's seen that new Torzal Twist Bass? its supposed to make some of those problems at least kick in later down the road. Im sure its gotta be expensive lil beast too. but peep it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLi8pOa6zYk

Its not that expensive when you consider its benefits.

Here's a link to the site, the factory is based in Austin Tx.

http://littleguitarworks.com/

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by MyWifeBoris

I don't see why you'd need your eyes for bass-playing.

Even if music charts came in braille form, you could not read and play at the same time.

[schmittzil]

AHHH! I was wondering what was on my hand....A heberden node....well.....

[the yeti]

but about the 2nd week in december i had a prp injection in my elbow. it seems to be working. they condense your blood and inject it into the tendon and it causes new growth (hey, i'm a bass player, not a scientist). i've had several cortisone shots over the last few years, this seems to actually be healing and not just covering it up.

2 negatives-1) most insurance doesn't cover this (still experimental) and 2) it hurts! a lot. that said i'd do it again.

so if you haven't heard of it now you have, and if you haven't heard from somebody that's actually had it done same thing.

[Biggchief basso]

Thanks Great Info!, Im going next week to doctors. Im thinking I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[Old Fart]

Whoa! Bass-playing is more dangerous than I thought!

[NortyFiner]

I have Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in both arms. It's not so much from playing bass, as it is from 20 years of cranking wrenches as a US Navy mechanic. My CTS sometimes flares up when I play fingerstyle for too long, or sleep in the wrong position, or otherwise have my arms or wrists bent too much for too long. I have always treated it simply by being more mindful of my body positions, OTC anti-inflams, and using arm and/or wrist braces when it gets bad.

[Metal Bassist]

I am starting to develop trigger finger, How do I stop this?

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Metal Bassist

I am starting to develop trigger finger, How do I stop this?

In the link is some good advice, but you need to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis of what the condition is and at what stage it is at. By no means think you can put this off, if it is the condition it will only worsen.


Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis) Causes, Symptoms and Treatment on MedicineNet.com

[Slink]

I'm glad you started this thread, been experiencing pain myself hope to find something useful

[Punk player21]

Originally Posted by tobie

You may want to add handuniversity.com. It helped me discover RTS (radial tunnel syndrome - easily confused with CTS and not a stranger to quite a few bass players).

I have accauly been diagnosed with RTS about a week ago,it sucks.

[ghostsontheroad]

You might want to add this one too - Hypochondriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Electricblue]

Originally Posted by fearceol

Even if music charts came in braille form, you could not read and play at the same time.

I can read women like a book. I use braille, but that's besides the point.