Really getting concerned...

Busker · #1 10-16-2008, 07:51 AM

My right arm/wrist/fingers. I'm typing this entirely with mt left hand because my right forearm is giving me troubles. Thing is, I think I have tendonitis, or the start of carpal tunnel. I spend too much time on the computer, and my right index and middle fingers are constantly clicking the mouse. I use those same two fingers plucking the bass strings, and I've figured out its way too much repetitive movement. I saw the doc yesterday, and he thinks I have a touch of carpal tunnel, checked for range of movement, pain, etc (no real pain per se, just a very slight ache in the forearm, and a sense of my forearm and fingers feeling "tired"). He wants me to use a wrist brace while sleeping, one that holds the wrist in a bent up position. He says that will aid in healing. I will have to drastically cut back on the computer - I surely do not want to quit bass playing, so the computer time has to be removed, for a while anyway. If I do use the computer, everything will have to be with my left hand for the time being.

I have rehearsal tonight, and a gig in a little over a week, and I'm wondering if I can even make it through these, and how I tell the band if I can't.

Bass_Bear · #2 10-16-2008, 09:04 AM

I have no medical expertise whatsoever, but I can tell you from personnal experience that carpel tunnel, depending on your age and tenacity is something you can easily get over. First of all, its apparently hereditary, some people are more inclined to having it then others. Second of all, the only sure way to get that fixed is surgery, ive tried the bracelet and it really doesn't do much.

As I said before, speaking from experience, I was an avid PC gamer for about 4 years, developed carpel tunnel, and well at the moment other than the numbness of the hand when I wake up in the morning, it's really nothing more than a minor inconvenience at times. I'm not saying live with it like I did, but what I am saying is that eventually, you get over the comfort issue and you wrist kinda goes back to normal. I guess this answer wasn't so helpful except maybe to give you the hope that you don't actually have carpel tunnel, and that if you do, you can go beyond it pretty easily.

J

Busker · #3 10-16-2008, 11:03 AM

Thanks for that.

I've seen bass players who wear the bass kinda high and have the right hand bent down at the wrist so the fingers can pluck. That's not me. I wear the bass lower, around the belt line area, so my wrist is pretty straight - at least not bent at a sharp angle. Which is better? The high bass/bent wrist looks and feels awkward to me, and seems wrong.

BishopM05 · #4 10-16-2008, 12:42 PM

I can't stand watching players strapped high and right hand bent like that...just the extra pressure you put on the bass body against your forearm/wrist is uncomfortable to me.

Certainly wouldn't look the part of a Metal player at least. Plus, those I see with that positioning also often have the neck more parallel to the ground - that causes problems for left arm too doesn't it?

Stumbo · #5 10-16-2008, 12:50 PM

I purchased a Microsoft Natural Keyboard (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo...s.aspx?pid=022 and a Logitech track ball mouse http://www2.shopping.com/xGS-logitec...k_ball_mouseto take care of my carpal tunnel.

It doesn't take much to get comfortable with the new hand positions.

I also placed the ball mouse at the end of those spongie(sp?) keyboard wrist wrests placed perpendicular to the side of my keyboard so my arm is level with the mouse and my wrist is straight.

Worked for me, big time. And I used to be in IT, pounding the keyboard/mouse 8-10 hours a day.

E2daGGurl · #6 10-16-2008, 03:55 PM

I disagree about surgery and carpal tunnel. I know too many people at work who are former clerical workers, had the surgery and are still incapacitated/back in school for retraining, although it's probable that these people all had severe cases to begin with.

The brace method does work if you catch it early enough. Immobilizing your wrist/hand at all times while not actually performing will help a lot.

The ergonomic instructions on the post just above are also very helpful - I used to get flare-ups of CT until switching to a more ergonomic workstation. Took awhile to get used to the trackball mouse, but it works. I'm typing on a logitech sloped keyboard right now - no problems in years.

And I still do lots of other things with my fingers (keyboard and bass).

bassplayertom77 · #7 10-16-2008, 06:04 PM

I use these wristbands called WristAleve. They have neoprane pads attached on the inside with velcro. You put them so they come in contact with the outside of your wrists, thus opening your "carpal tunnel". They helped me a lot.

It's too bad that Vioxx will kill you, that stuff worked wonders for me.

Busker · #8 10-16-2008, 09:28 PM

After taking some aspirin, resting, applying some liniment my wife likes to use, taking some vitamin B, etc, I played tonight for close to 3 hours, no pain or problems at all. I'm happy about that.

I have to come to the conclusion that its the mouse and the way this keyboard and computer desk are set up that is causing the problems. Just fooling with it for a few minutes, and I can tell.