I've developed a pain in my left (fretting) hand.

[joebingo]

I can't work out exactly what it is, but it started 2 weeks ago.

I played a gig, and for some reason my hand was really tired by the third song in our set, by the last song i had to stop playing all together, because my fingers had become really weak, and fretting was incredibly painful (not really sharp and stabbing, but more of an ache.)

As soon as the set finished, my hand was numb from the first knuckle, apart from my little finger, down to halfway down my forearm, and my wrist was really swollen.

since then, it's been coming and going in waves, with no real pattern in severity. the sensation has been anything ranging from numbness to tingling, to a dull ache.

I did a gig on friday gone, and after that set, my hand was pretty much useless, I couldn't hold a pint glass or anything. (It was almost like when you have low body sugar, and you shake and feel weak, except localised to my hand). And that's still happening now.

I've arranged a physio session for next week, and I'm keeping my hand and wrist in a splint.

Is there any advice anyone can give me at all (excercises etc) - I'm getting quite worried about it.

cheers guys.

[Just J]

hmm... I'm no doctor but those sound like symptoms of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

You should rethink your technique a bit, but as far as excersizes, I can't think of any as you'll have to wait for the inflammation to subside. Google CTS, might find some help.

[BassBus]

Might also be an idea to take your BG along to the physio and show him/her your playing style. He/she may be able to help you with a better playing action. As above I'm no doctor but you're doing the right thing in having it checked out quickly. Let us know how you get on.

[John Wentzien]

How low do you hang the bass?

[alfredpunkjazz]

Check your technique.
Check your technique.
Check your technique.
Check your technique.
Check your technique.
Check your technique.
Check your technique.

How? Be shure everything it's relaxed, eassy going... don't play untill this becomes a must.

The angle of your wrists has to be as relaxed as posible.

And, follow every direction your doctor gives you, EVERY ONE OF THEM.

he he he he, you'll be a happy player after that.

[Grinky]

Do you do warm-ups for your fretting hand? If you do, and you still have this problem, then it's to do with your either the angle of your bass, or your hand positioning.

Please take care of your hand and see not just a doctor, but a good teacher who can point out any technique errors that you have.

[walknbluez]

I have this same problem. I also type alot at work. Many years ago I went to a hand specialist and they diagnosed it as RSI (Repetitive strain injury) or "overuse syndrome". Overuse of a muscle is using it too much, too soon and/or too often. I was playing guitar quite a bit at the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury

This is common among guitar (and bass) players.

I went to physical therapy. They did massages, warm and cold therapy, and taught stretching exercises. They then sent me home with some clay to strengthen the muscles.

I stopped playing guitar and bass for several years. It went away. I've began playing quite a bit and guess what its back.

Some of the stretching exercises they advised: Put your arm out straight, palm up. With your other hand, pull your fingertips of your outstretched hand downware and stretch the muscles in the bottom of your wrist. Turn your arm over and do the opposite (pull your fingers in toward you which will stretch the top side of the wrist).

Your doctor may refer you to a hand specialist/physical therapist where they can teach strengthening exercises to strengthen the tiny muscles that are affected by this.