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Originally Posted by hachi kid  hey TB. before I go into this, I'm gonna give you a little background. I'm 23, and have been playing bass for 10 years, and have always been mindful about having good technique and strap length to prevent injury. I play with a 3, and sometimes, 4 finger plucking approach lifted from Billy Sheehan (except I go i-m-r-p instead of backwards like Billy). I've never had any "wrong" pain before. I've had some muscle burn before when my muscles were just developing, but this felt like something else. like it was in my tendons, or something.
the only other time I've felt this was in July earlier this year, and then two days ago. I gave it a day, and they pain was still there yesterday when I played my bass again. as far as the pain, it feels like it's tightening a little bit, but it's on top of the hand, right in front of the wrist, in the middle. there's no visible swelling, and it doesn't feel like anything is swollen, either. I've been learning Master of Puppets, and it's pretty much high tempo 8th notes the whole time for the bass part. I do also play pretty aggressively.
I'm curious if anyone might have any idea what these symptoms could mean, or if anyone has gone through these symptoms before. |
This can be a common situation you find yourself in....if you realise you are in it. So not to confuse you, a lot of people will go through this situation in life but never realise they ever did. but because you play you have an more reasons to question any differences you feel in your hands, so good on you for taking it serious.
First off, take this advice and use it to see if it matches what you are feeling, and please see a doctor or medical practitioner.
Now to the top of your hand you have the eight main bones of the wrist, the bones although in two rows of four are not even, so the centre of the back of the hand lines up with Lunate bone, and in front of it, the Capitate, then the Carpel bone (wrist to knuckle), that then lines up to the 3rd metacarpel (middle finger line) then the 3rd proximal,middle and Distal Phalanges (middle finger).
Now i said this lines up which is sort of does except in the wrist certain bones may share functions with other bones and sort of share the line. But that said, a strin to the facet joint in this area will give the type of sensation you talk of......with no swelling. it is a tight feeling, caused because one or more of the facets (side of a bone in a joint that meets another bone to help form the joint movement) that shape the movement.
A number of things can cause this, but normally the strain of a wide/long stretch, or a sudden short compression can do it as the two most common causes. So if you have been doing more wider than usual spreads ( or over bent wrist ) and for longer then that maybe a cause, or if you have jarred you hand or wrist that also could be a cause.
As a rule because there is no swelling ( as you say) ice is not required, but massage and heat will be required. The massage is to free the joint the heat is to stimulate blood flow and help it heal, also heat is a good muscle relaxant where tension is involved. That can be from a heat pad, or warm cloth, not a skin agitater like "heat in a can or cream" but direct heat, even a a bowl/sink of hot water will do. Its only about 5-10 mins on then off and masage, then back on for 5-10 about three times a day if possible. So if at work the sink basin will be an option.
If not a practicality, then wash the hands long and slow in hot soapy water, combining the massage and heat as one....if you get my meaning.
When the massage is done with the thumb, put the fingers of the hand that will do the rubbing in the palm of the hand to be rubbed. Then use the thumb to rub the back of the hand while the fingers support the hand and wrist.
When use the fingers are being used to massage, put the thunb in the palm, ( as if to hold the thumb) and use the fingers to massage the whole lines of bones on the back of the hand ( remember the wrist bones share certain lines) so be gentle and remember you massage to loosen..not force.
So back of for a week and give it a chance heal or rest and see if the heat and massage does the job. If after 7 days no improvement see a doctor, osteopath, or relevent MD for a proper examination, and diagnosis.
Any further questions, post them and if i can help i will try.
pain on the top of plucking hand 
