LEFT WRIST PAIN

[heavyfunkmachin]

HI,

yesterday i started feeling some pain in my left wrist, down the pinky, the "external" side of the wrist, not the thumb side..., and i freaked out, not because of the pain, wasnt that bad, but because i never ever had any phisiological problems playing bass and i was soooo glad i mean, my hands are big enough to play way down the neck and i kind of felt like i was made to play bass (may sound bogus but i got kick out of music school when i was 9 because sax was not my instrument... and i thought everything was cool with bass)

so this morning i started reading some posts about a hand problems playing and i freaked out even more... cortisone, joint surgery,.... im scared.

so the thing is... since i believe that my bass is hanging in a right position (not a punkrocker, you know what i mean...) and that my left hand technique is as good positioning relaxed as i´ve been told and that the pain started after practicing false harmonics like that 2+6 that jaco played in portrait of tracy... do you believe that the wrist pain is just because of the stretching and therefore i have to keep playing, gently, in order to stretch and imporve and all that or shoud i stop as soon as i feel the pain so i dont get seriously injured?

i might should get all those questions to a medic, but since he probably woudnt play bass im afraid he might just say something like... "hey boy, dont push it too far..." and walk away...

so, if you have any tip, experience or point of view on these subject, please let me know...

thanks.

[Booman]

I'm experiencing the same thing with my wrist. It's on the external side of my hand, but at my thumb. The tendon stretching from my thumb to my wrist, has been in pain for some time now.

I've frequently had issues with my left wrist. The only tip I can offer to speed up the healing process would be to keep from sleeping on your hands at night. I've had the habit of keeping my hands under my pillow and head. That slows down blood flow to your hands. Keep from sleeping on your hands and go see a hand specialist if it doesn't get to feeling better soon.

I'd also not push it too hard during your practice routines...especially if you are having a heavy gig schedule.

Scott

[gapupten]

I would see an MD. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Doing any abnormal movement for a long time with hand muscles can lead to nerve and or ligament damage. Give it a rest, slow down, whatever.

[gapupten]

I just noticed two adds for carpal tunnel syndrome at the top of these posts.
Is it a sign?
Or really focused advertising?

[Billy Low]

I can't say that I have experienced the pain in my wrist since I first started playing. I had only played for two years and unfortunately stopped playing. It has been 18 months since I have last played and I do have occasional aches, cramping, and even seizing of my left hand (fingers included). I find myself having to flex or stretch my left hand several times a day, so I can empathize! Is there any relief? Maybe I should start playing again to relieve that pressure...

[heavyfunkmachin]

so... the question is... is it a "no pain no gain" streching thing that i have to pass trough it to get to it or a worring pain and i better stop whatever im doing in order to prevent further injuries?

[khay0s]

Nope, pain is never something you should just fight through. Especially when it is something that can potentially ruin your ability to play bass.

Leigh

[heavyfunkmachin]

ok,

thanks, now i´ll have to figure out how do i elude pain... but thanks anyway, by the way, i see you´re from brisbane, i am spanish but lived there for a year, nice memories. i thinks its the neares "homesick" feeling i ever got from somewhere thats actually not my home.

best regards

[khay0s]

Cool. Brisbane is a pretty nice city. You might want to see a Doctor just to see how bad the damage is. Best of luck.

Leigh

[heavyfunkmachin]

i work it out (the beatles told me i could... )

wrist/shoulder/bass angle conection (not paranoid!)