MY LEG KEEPS GOING NUMB!

circuit106 · #1 03-16-2011, 01:45 PM

so i practice while sitting for the most part but the leg i rest my bass on keeps getting Charlie horses after like 30 mins. just wondering if any of y'all have experienced this before and how u fixed it. (rather than standing)

anonymous02282011 · #2 03-16-2011, 01:50 PM

You're cutting off circulation to your leg.

Aside from standing, you can try using a strap while sitting such that the weight of the instrument is taken off your leg.

SurferJoe46 · #3 03-20-2011, 06:58 PM

Left leg?? You're right-handed?

If so - this might be sciatic nerve damage like I have.

shrigg · #4 03-20-2011, 07:01 PM

I'd suggest a high strap, too. Or get a lighter bass...

spaz21387 · #5 03-20-2011, 07:02 PM

Id go with a lighter bass...

shrigg · #6 03-20-2011, 07:05 PM

What kind of bass are you playing and how much does it weigh? Although pricey, Carl Thompson basses are noted for being extremely lightweight and well balanced. Carl likes to show how his basses will balance on a player's leg perfectly in playing position.

NCD · #7 03-24-2011, 05:59 PM

STOP... "Numb" is very, VERY different than your leg going to sleep with pins and needles, which is it?

If it's "numb" does it start in your flank (lower back at the belt line on one side) and wrap around your hip, then go down the outside of your leg along the line between your hamstring and quads? If so this is nothing to be messing around with and is an indication that your Sciatic nerve is being irritated, probably coming from a minor issue around your L5 vertebrae or somewhere close to it.

If your belly and tail bone sort of stick out, in opposite directions, there is a point in the lower back where you can feel the spine sort of hinge or pinch... that's the are to be concerned with.

If it's just pins and needles from going to sleep then you still probably want to talk to a Phys Therapist about it to be sure there isn't anything going on. If it's what I described above then run, don't walk, to go make that appointment.

Either way they'll give you exercises to do in order to deal with the issue... you'll be amazed at how much they can help. Each person's situation is different so telling you my exercises might not help you and could even cause you to injure yourself if one of my exercises is bad for your situation.

Good luck

PaulMacCnj · #8 03-24-2011, 06:21 PM

Listen to the advice here. You want to avoid Sciatica. I experienced it for the first time 2 months ago and it was the worst pain ever for me. Even my son said that he had never seen me in such pain. It's one of those things that you never imagine until it affects you personally.

Russell L · #9 03-24-2011, 06:59 PM

You mentioned Charley horse. That's a muscle thing. I used to get one a lot in my thigh in high school when I played football. Heat was the answer, wet heat. It started after I had strained a muscle.

If you leg is going numb, sounds like a circulation issue. Get it checked. I mean, your leg shouldn't be going numb from sitting.

Rockmusician · #10 03-24-2011, 07:05 PM

Age, weight and the height of the chair on which you are sitting could be a factor. You should try using a different chair and alternating between sitting and standing. If this doesn't help, you might want to see a doctor. Definitely sounds like a circulation issue. Diabetics often have circulation problems expecially in their legs so you might want to get checked.

SurferJoe46 · #11 03-24-2011, 07:34 PM

You can 'live' with sciatic nerve irritation - pain killers (I like Vicadin and Tramadol) help a lot - but it isn't going to resolve itself.

I have very severe osteoporosis, a non-resolvable fractured pelvis and degenerative spinal conditions plus arthritis. I eat aspirin as I hate the heavier drugs - but at a price to my stomach and digestive system. It's a v. vicious circle that you do not want to enter yourself!

Here's MY take on this :

1) You have a pain.
2) It makes you uncomfortable
3) It may be a serious situation
4) It might NOT be all that serious and just requires you wear a belt (it helps, believe me)
5) You might have to wear elasticized girl jeans. (I do - great feeling and slimming too! Gloria Vanderbilts are nice. )
6) You posture might have to be 'repaired' and modified
7) You bass is your friend at this point and it might be getting parts of your anatomy to talk to you, heading off a major problem on down the road.
8) Listen to your body - it talks to you all the time
9) Get ye to a medical professional - it will alleviate a lot of guessing and old wive's tales

NCD · #12 04-03-2011, 08:18 AM

As the man said:

"Get ye to a medical professional - it will alleviate a lot of guessing and old wive's tales."

You can play ring around the rosy with guesses from non-experts for years or you can go see someone who knows what their doing and get a correct answer in a day or, at worst, a few weeks if you need to wait for an MRI.

I suffered with sciatica for 9 months as my right foot dragged sideways behind me, then finally found a better doc who put me on a mild steroid for one week. The problem literally went away over night when the inflammation went down and it's never been that bad since... and that was nine years ago.

allexcosta · #13 04-03-2011, 08:23 AM

I can't understand why people practice while seated, unless they play live in a seated position... A bass player practices to simulate what they're gonna do in front of an audience and most bassist play standing up and walking back and forth, so that's how one should practice.