Health Related Issues To Playing

[tgriley62]

As a new player (8 months) and a oldster (48) I notice that after standing for an hour practicing that the shoes I wear ain't cutting it. What do you guys that have been playing & gigging for years recommend (besides sitting down for a while, lol)

[IZUnyang]

sometimes i feel my wrist uncomfort not when i play bass.
should have check this thread!

[maxgrant]

Originally Posted by tgriley62

As a new player (8 months) and a oldster (48) I notice that after standing for an hour practicing that the shoes I wear ain't cutting it. What do you guys that have been playing & gigging for years recommend (besides sitting down for a while, lol)

Running shoes are super comfortable. They're lightweight, and lots of cushion under your feet. I wear ASICs myself. I used to wear New Balances. Of course, I also used to actually run and I replaced my shoes about every 2 months. But if you don't actually go out and pound 3-5 miles into the soles every couple of days, they should last way longer.

DO NOT let some shoe-store moron sell you those mother-effing inserts. I went to a store one time where they had this whole song and dance where they put me on a treadmill and videotaped me walking, and then recommended these insanely expensive frigging inserts ($30-50 more on top of the $120 I was dropping on the damn shoes). I wore the inserts for a few days and then realized they were KILLING my heel and ball of my big toe. I took them out and was immediately 100x more comfortable.

Then I found out that no matter what they determined from their videotape and treadmill kabucki, they recommended the SAME DAMN INSERTS to every single customer. I never went back to that quackfest.

I'm a diabetic, so good footwear is not just a nice to have, it's an absolute must. And I like to be light on my feet on stage.

Barefoot gigs are a catastrophe, btw. My guitarist did it one time and immediately figured out that he couldn't use his footswitches at all. Sandals are not really good enough either. Not in my opinion.

Also, light thin socks.

[padycustom]

The link you shared in here is really useful. Thank you.


We stand behind. Tablepad

[cliffburtonfan]

Having just read this thread for the first time it sounds like I may have developed Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. I think I'll be booking an appointment with the doc!

[Findlay]

I am a finger player, and my right index finger (plucking hand) often gets quite sore. The pain is between my middle knuckle and bottom knuckle (the one closest to my palm, not tip of my finger) I would describe the pain as a mixture of pins and needles and a burning sensation. Any thoughts on what it could be or what causes it?

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Findlay

I am a finger player, and my right index finger (plucking hand) often gets quite sore. The pain is between my middle knuckle and bottom knuckle (the one closest to my palm, not tip of my finger) I would describe the pain as a mixture of pins and needles and a burning sensation. Any thoughts on what it could be or what causes it?

Injuries to fingers are common so it is hard to pinpoint an exact cause because there are so many different things that can be a factor.
But pins and needles could be a symptom of the burning pain you feel or vice versa.....or the two may be separate non- linked issues.
First off rest it, stop using it of you can.
Next look for signs of injury, ie. discolour, swelling, extra or restricted movement etc.
There are a number of warm ups and stretches that can be done to help the hands, these are always a good way to help the hands stay healthy, you can mind links in the health threads.
As usual in these situations see a doctor or health specialist if the condition persists or worsens to get physical check up and proper diagnosis of your problems...it may be nothing but it may be something that needs attention.

[dtripoli]

I never really bothered reading these medical issue threads until recently.
I'm no Spring Chicken, more like a Fall Hen but still never suffered any pain or injury to my
playing hands or back...until this week. And I'm telling you I was mortified.
We were playing an outdoor festival and during the last few songs of a 2 hour gig my right hand suddenly cramped up
during a particularly demanding song. I continued playing using my thumb. I shook it off, and then we end
the show with Tina Turner's 'Proud Mary'. I made it all the way to the end and the singer gives the twirl signal to go another verse. Midway through my right hand stops working all together, couldn't even use my thumb. I feigned guitar cord problems and fumbled with my amp. Band wrapped up the song and we ended.
I had trouble packing up my gear but manged to get it loaded out. Got home and just rested my hands.
My wrists were very painful and I kept having tingling in my arms like the feeling you get when your arm goes to sleep.

I don't know whether it's Carpal Tunnel, tendinitis or merely overused. I can trace it back to a few weeks ago.
I spent 8hrs a day practicing for a week, prepping for a studio session. Not only did I spend the time perfecting
the bass lines but I was also going to supply the rhythm guitar parts. It's Funk & Soul so there is a lot of strumming and fast, repetitive chord changes. It's been a few years since I played guitar regularly.
After that I started waking up with my arms feeling like they were asleep and during the day my wrists hurt and felt weak.
I'd rest my hands a few days by not playing then I'd proceed to play again. In preparation for this gig, I rested my hands
a few days but the day before ran through all the songs. Obviously I need to give them a few solid weeks rest which I started today.
The problem is, I have a wall lined with amps and basses & guitars hanging above them. Every time I go into the room,
they are like the Sirens of Lesbos calling me to release the beautiful songs from within them. Admittedly, I am weak and usually succumb to their alluring call.
I will have to put my ear plugs in and hurriedly put all the instruments in cases and store in the closet to avoid temptation.
I am hoping after 2 weeks of rest and using the stretching exercises as posted here that the problem will go away.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by dtripoli

I never really bothered reading these medical issue threads until recently.
I'm no Spring Chicken, more like a Fall Hen but still never suffered any pain or injury to my
playing hands or back...until this week. And I'm telling you I was mortified.

Classic point of view, but with what we know today it's about preventative medicine and ideas. Sure you cannot rule injury and illness out, but we can put ourselves in a better position to make any problems negligible.

Sad thing is when problems occur later in life they are the accumulation of years of wear and tear and can be irrevesable, remember hip joints wear out just through natural use, so to a musician the increased use of the hands and fingers are the same any typist that suffered RSI from just doing their job.

Personally I would see a doctor and get it checked out so you know exacty what is happening....it may just be nothing, but it could be the start of something.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by dtripoli

After that I started waking up with my arms feeling like they were asleep and during the day my wrists hurt and felt weak.

from experience, the numbness that's waking you means you should see a doctor.

[KwinS]

Thanks for starting this one, Fergie. Lots of good information here.

I've been on the mend for several months, now. Originally, I had symptoms very similar to RSI and CTS, but they continued to get worse, until I couldn't pick up my daughter's ukulele to tune it. It turned out to be spinal cord damage. They found my kidney cancer when they worked me up for my hands, arms, and back.

I just want to repeat one of the most important ideas in the OP: See a doctor if you have anything like these symptoms! Don't self diagnose!

[KwinS]

Wow! I just noticed this thread is from '09!!!
That's what I get for browsing with my phone...
Good info, anyway.

[dtripoli]

Kwin, Thanks for the advice

Update: Wrists are feeling 100% better. No numbness or tingling just a little sore but I am scheduled for a Dr. visit next week which I will keep. Also I am having severe bass withdrawals but am still resolved to resting my hands for 2 weeks with no bass playing.
I also will be employing the "Natural position" videos as outlined by member HaVIC5.
Thanks, the technique makes total sense.
Although I think it will take a month or 2 to incorporate this technique. I tend to revert to old habits at a gig when in the throes of a particularly complex or driving song. Which usually involves a death grip on the neck and right hand wrist stretched in at a 90 degree angle. Ouch!

[Sonic]

This is awesome! Very helpful to know exactly why my wrist doesn't work at 24 (please, minds out of the gutter people). Joking aside, this is a great resource and I'm going to bookmark it for future use. Very awesome!

[Davidmh]

I can't be the only 60 year-old who finally decided to learn guitar or bass, so I may have something useful to contribute here.

So my story is two years ago when I turned 60 my wife bought me a jazzbox to learn jazz guitar on. Now never having played more than about three chords before this was something of a leap of faith on her part, because I said I'd learn to read music at the same time.

Then I discovered tabs.
Then I also discovered that there is a world of difference between playing an E, A and D chord, and playing some of those crazy jazz chords which stretch you out over five frets.

So two and a half years on I can:
Build a strat knock-off from bits.
Solder.
Work my way through a couple of jazz numbers, slowly.
Recognise that there is a fitness element to playing guitar and bass.
Recognise that there is a right way to approach the fretboard, which makes chords easier to play without effort.

I can also play the jazz guitar bass walk (part one) to I got rhythm (arr by Mark Stephani) - that got me interested in bass in the first place.

I have neither the skill nor stamina to play a full gig (at the moment). I could probably manage a subway for change!
My arms and hands feel stretched if I play for anything over an hour. My wrists are fine, my fingers are sometimes a bit stiff, but most people over 60 have this anyway.
Joints which are used, but not abused, do tend to keep healthier for longer, which was one of the reasons I wanted to learn a stringed instrument.

When beginning to play you need to listen to your body. Don't play through injury. Acclimatize slowly, enjoy the moment.
The older you are, the slower it all is - which is fine.

Did I mention I'm also a Health Professional?

David

[TNCreature]

Nice post David. Thanks

[Mike in Chicago]

For years I had bone on bone arthritis in my left shoulder (hockey, shoulder separations). I couldn't even get my hand down to the lower end of the neck, and the weight of the bass just killed me. So I didn't play too much, the pain was a bitch. I had to sit and bring the head way over in front of me to reach the F.

I had a total shoulder replacement...similar to what they do to hips.

Really changed things. Nothings perfect, but this is really good.

[Davidmh]

Originally Posted by TNCreature

Nice post David. Thanks

Thank you. Always nice to post a good post in a new forum!

[arlenarnold]

Systematic activities to prevent or cure health problems and promote good health in humans are undertaken by health care providers. Applications with regard to animal health are covered by the veterinary sciences. www.kassclinics.com

[SunnBass]

Originally Posted by ghostsontheroad

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

+1

Every good "warrior" has "scars".