I think my neck is broken...

Kickin'Fruit · #1 07-07-2006, 06:25 PM

I have a sharp pain in my upper left shoulder/neck area (fretting hand side). Could this be from poor technique? It feels like my neck is broken. Or is this just because I'm starting bass and I'm using muscles I don't normally use? One morning I just woke up with a crick in my neck and I thought it was just from a rough night at hockey but now I'm starting to think it's problems with my playing. I'll post pics of my action and see what you guys think. I thought I'd consult on here first to avoid uncessary trips to the doctor or luthier...

clayton · #2 07-07-2006, 06:30 PM

well I don't think that sort of pain is normal from playing bass. Better see a doctor.

Kickin'Fruit · #3 07-07-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayton

well I don't think that sort of pain is normal from playing bass. Better see a doctor.

k that's what i was trying to find out. I'll give it a couple days and a couple hundred more aspirin.

klocwerk · #4 07-07-2006, 09:51 PM

ah, yeah. If you were playing violin It might be a problem.
I'd be pretty shocked if you managed to tweak your neck playing bass.

Rattman · #5 07-07-2006, 10:03 PM

Geez!

That could be serious, better get your Doc to check you out ASAP. Playing bass is relaxing most of the time. Sounds a little like an irritated or a pinched nerve there.

I also once thought I had an issue with a broken neck, but my luthier assured me that the truss rod was just "way off".. so problem solved..the pain miraculously disappeared the next day when I picked up the P-bass.

ecclescake · #6 07-08-2006, 09:30 AM

Best go to see a doctor to be on the safe side.
I had a similar problem in the same place when I was playing guitar: using to much pressure to fret, bad playing posture and too much work on a computer (typing) and by god it was painful. It's a good idea to do some stretching before you pick up a bass.

jzucker · #7 07-09-2006, 03:48 PM

if it's a burning sensation it's a pinched nerve and could be very serious. I had a burning sensation in my right shoulder. It turns out it was from a ruptured disc. I went to my old-timer doctor who said it was arthritis and prescribed pain killers. A couple months later, I went to an orthopedic guy who wasn't sure what it was but gave me a nerve blocker. A couple months later I was still in pain and was experiencing strength loss and continued pain. I had to quit playing for a while because I couldn't turn my head enough to see the instrument. I finally had a myelogram and surgery where I now permanently have a metal plate and 6 screws in my neck. It took 2 years and I have some permanent strength loss in the right bicep.

Point being - Neck pain is not anything to screw around with. And be agressive in finding out the real problem. It's in the doctor's interest (incentives and all that) to string the treatment out and treat it with anti-inflammatories and pain killers.