Playing with a wrist brace on?

[strummer21]

Feels like I have the start of tendonitis in both wrists after playing 3 1/2 hrs. straight at last rehearsal a week and a half ago. I have been taking it easy and not playing at all but still have soreness in both forearms. I realize that my technique is off and i was playing waaaaaaaaay too hard with both my picking and fretting hands and need to let the amp do the work more and have a lighter touch. I have to play this weekend probably for a couple hours and wanted to know if it will be OK to wear a wrist brace on my fretting hand and if so can anyone recommend a specific type? I don't know if it will help or possibly hurt more because of the resistence against bending my wrist might cause me to strain against it more. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by strummer21

Feels like I have the start of tendonitis in both wrists after playing 3 1/2 hrs. straight at last rehearsal a week and a half ago. I have been taking it easy and not playing at all but still have soreness in both forearms. I realize that my technique is off and i was playing waaaaaaaaay too hard with both my picking and fretting hands and need to let the amp do the work more and have a lighter touch. I have to play this weekend probably for a couple hours and wanted to know if it will be OK to wear a wrist brace on my fretting hand and if so can anyone recommend a specific type? I don't know if it will help or possibly hurt more because of the resistence against bending my wrist might cause me to strain against it more. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Stop playing and let whatever is wrong heal. Any amount of pain (beyond simple muscle soreness or the usual burn of working the muscles) is not normal and should not be played through. Permanant damage can result and then you won't be able to play at all.....

I went through this with my left wrist recently, tho in my case it was from overdoing it after a layoff of regular playing for some years. I couldn't play for longer than about 5 minutes without a cartilage-like pain appearing in my wrist. Obviously, because everything had gotten so weak in my left arm from disuse.

So what I did was stop as soon as it appeared. After a day or two when the pain had subsided I'd pick up the bass and play a bit until the pain was just about to reappear. Then I'd stop completely and then repeat a few days later. Eventually I was able to build my strength back up and can now play for fairly extended periods.

That's what I'd suggest. Rest for a while, let everything heal up. Then pick up the bass and play carefully until the pain comes back - stop instantly when/if it does.

LS

[EssJay]

Originally Posted by unclejane

Stop playing and let whatever is wrong heal. Any amount of pain (beyond simple muscle soreness or the usual burn of working the muscles) is not normal and should not be played through. Permanant damage can result and then you won't be able to play at all.....

I went through this with my left wrist recently, tho in my case it was from overdoing it after a layoff of regular playing for some years. I couldn't play for longer than about 5 minutes without a cartilage-like pain appearing in my wrist. Obviously, because everything had gotten so weak in my left arm from disuse.

So what I did was stop as soon as it appeared. After a day or two when the pain had subsided I'd pick up the bass and play a bit until the pain was just about to reappear. Then I'd stop completely and then repeat a few days later. Eventually I was able to build my strength back up and can now play for fairly extended periods.

That's what I'd suggest. Rest for a while, let everything heal up. Then pick up the bass and play carefully until the pain comes back - stop instantly when/if it does.

LS

This is great advice. I have RSI in my right wrist from the computer and it is not fun. When it hits it is incredibly painful to move my hand, I barely have enough strength to pluck the string with my fingers and I can't do anything with the hand for a couple of days.
As unclejane mentioned, as soon as it begins to hurt, stop playing and rest. Perhaps even try changing your technique over time so you're not hitting the strings so hard with the picking hand.

I apologise if that makes little to no sense at all, 3 days into a bout of insomnia and all forms of sense flew out the window about 12 hours ago.

[dfuruta]

I played a gig earlier this year with my right wrist sprained and in a brace, and I don't recommend it. The frustration will not do much for your technique. Try putting your bass at a different height so your wrist doesn't bend awkwardly, and be very conscious of how hard you're playing and how your hands are angled.

[azureblue]

I had a motorcycle wreck and had a fiberglass cast on my left wrist. I couldn't stand not playing and took a file to it, then covered the cast with felt so it wouldn't scratch the bass and went out & played anyway.. It made my wrist sore, but i invested in acupuncture & massage sessions when the cast came off.

The problem with RSI is we bass players do not stretch the ligaments in the hand & forearm. So the tendons get short and work only a certain way. People, your hands are your life! stretch, massage, and exercise your hands & forearms to keep them limber. Do bass drills to strengthen weak fingers and do them slowly- don't force. Follow the same principle as muscle building- start slow and careful and work your way up a little at a time. Work full range. Keep the fingers limber. Go get a hand & forearm massage, and get one regularly. You will be surprised how much better you can play.

[Dr2Kitties]

I am a doctor of chiropractic with a specialty in extremity injuries/disorders, so this is right up my alley.

Good suggestion to raise/lower the strap length to put your bass at a different angle so as to reduce the bend of your wrist. Do that.

You're correct to lighten up on your touch and let the amp do the volume part. Smart.

Also, wear snug wrist braces on both wrists while loading your gear (no need to further strain your damaged tissues). Don't wear the wrist braces while playing (you'd play awkwardly).

Get treated by BOTH an acupuncturist and an advanced proficiency rated activator method chiropractor (try www.activator.com, go to "find an activator doctor"). Only use an advanced proficiency rated Dr., as they have the training to fix wrists/arms/hands/fingers.


Dr2Kitties

[azureblue]

PS on braces for loading:
Get a pair of padded gloves with those traction dots on them- little rubber nubs. They will not only protect your hands they will help you hold on with much less grip effort. Bass players- never move heavy gear or hold onto grab handles without gloves. Don't risk injury while moving gear. Oh yeah, and the gloves keep your hands clean, too....