My finger is killing me

[thederrick87]

I've been playing bass for about 10 years now, and recently my middle finger on my right hand (picking hand) has started to hurt. It hurts where the finger starts at the hand to the first knuckle. I don't know if its because how I'm playing, I tried icing it and that seems like it made it worse. Help because I really don't want to have to start playing with a pick.

[quiltkitty]

Don't know how old you are, but could it possibly be a touch of arthritis? Maybe from an old injury or something? Try warming it rather than icing and see if that loosens it up or alleviates any of the pain. Also, massage around the joint, and gently stretch it in all directions. I am still pretty young but I occasionally get stiffness in my hands as well. I have had a couple of injuries though. I keep one of those squishy squeeze balls on my desk at work, and I squeeze on it when my hands are stiff. It really does help.

Of course, my husband says that his middle finger is always sore from flipping off drivers, so ...

[mjac28]

Can you explain how you are playing? one finger,two fingers?

[Koji_Sunioj]

The ligament that runs from the top of the finger to the knuckle, also extends to your forearm. The muscles in your forearm might be tight, causing this to happen. First of all, take a break as to not exacerbate it because you might regret it. Icing will help if its swollen, but whatever feels worse - don't continue it. I've had this problem before and this helped me. Check out the video in this link:

http://chriskeuken.nl/health/stretch...ngthening.html

[Exploiter8]

Guys at work used to tell me, "Go home and soak it in cider!"

X8

[thebandcircle]

Wear your bass higher on the strap. Get your forearm off the body a little. Practice using your pointer and ring finger on picking hand. Sometimes my ring finger gets sore from not using it as much as the others.(what i mean is, my ring finger gets sore while I'm not even using it?)Maybe from holding it out of the way? Since practicing with three fingers for picking I've noticed less fatigue, less fingertip-burn, and a stronger handshake..hehe!