Something is going wrong...help?

Fassa Albrecht · #1 07-31-2009, 01:21 PM

Seriously, I really don't know what to do. I know I've complained before, but this is getting really bad.

Last night I decided to play some bass like I normally do, and after less than 5min my wrist stiffened up, to the point where I had to ice it. I couldn't even stretch out my fingers or grip my bass' neck properly.

Any ideas? My doctor keeps telling me there isn't a problem...

robd · #2 07-31-2009, 01:44 PM

Find another Dr, sounds like yours is not listening to you.

Fassa Albrecht · #3 07-31-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robd

Find another Dr, sounds like yours is not listening to you.

Only problem with that is that all the free medical care here is divided by postcode and I'm essentially stuck with the doctor I'm presently at.

Private doctors here are expensive too...

Ewo · #4 07-31-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Only problem with that is that all the free medical care here is divided by postcode and I'm essentially stuck with the doctor I'm presently at.

Private doctors here are expensive too...

Meh...we ain't 'posed to talk politics here, but there's a point to be noted in the above...

Fassa Albrecht · #5 07-31-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

Meh...we ain't 'posed to talk politics here, but there's a point to be noted in the above...

I'm not sure I'm following...

Ewo · #6 07-31-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Only problem with that is that all the free medical care here is divided by postcode and I'm essentially stuck with the doctor I'm presently at.

Private doctors here are expensive too...

Meh...we ain't 'posed to talk politics here, but there's a point to be noted in the above...

Anyway, I've heard good things about this book:

http://www.drkertz.com/bassistguide.html

Fassa Albrecht · #7 07-31-2009, 02:12 PM

Cheers!

fdeck · #8 07-31-2009, 08:55 PM

Don't overlook the possibility that hand & wrist problems are not being caused by bass playing, but by computer use.

Fassa Albrecht · #9 08-01-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Don't overlook the possibility that hand & wrist problems are not being caused by bass playing, but by computer use.

Only problem with this is that I use an ergonomic keyboard on this laptop and I have deliberately cut back my computer usage anyway.

I only seem to get problems when I'm exclusively playing bass. Not helpful I'm a LH bassist playing RH either.

Tama · #10 08-01-2009, 01:06 AM

Well, if it hurts...there sure & the heck IS a problem !!!

You may have to find a way to get to a specialist. I have tendinitis and it comes back often. It's very annoying.

Does your wrist exhibit any signs of carpal tunnel?

If resting it and using it as little as possible for 2 weeks doesn't fix things......then you may have a problem that only medical professionals can fix.

Webmd.com is a good place to start your research on your problem.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management...unnel-syndrome

Good luck to you.

Regards, Dave

Fassa Albrecht · #11 08-01-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tama

Well, if it hurts...there sure & the heck IS a problem !!!

You may have to find a way to get to a specialist. I have tendinitis and it comes back often. It's very annoying.

Does your wrist exhibit any signs of carpal tunnel?

If resting it and using it as little as possible for 2 weeks doesn't fix things......then you may have a problem that only medical professionals can fix.

Webmd.com is a good place to start your research on your problem.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management...unnel-syndrome

Good luck to you.

Regards, Dave

That sounds exactly what I've got....shame everytime I go to the doc they give different diagnoses every time I go.

There was a deliberate reason I didn't come onto Talkbass for a while a few weeks back, mostly to do with the fact I WAS trying to rest it. Didn't seem to make much difference though.

I'm tempted to go to the sports/leisure specialist physio here privately, and take some technique lessons from a bass teacher.

Tama · #12 08-01-2009, 01:35 AM

I wish you good luck. The reservation I might have for you is that if there is something badly wrong, it could become worse if stressed.

My Mom's carpal tunnel exhibited pain & numbness in both hands.

She had surgery and was disappointed to learn that the lack of feeling problem was not solved.

I reminded her that the pain was completely gone and that is something to be thankful for.

She agreed, but I do understand her disappointment.
My tendinitis came from being stupid and lifting more at the gym than I should have.

It's painful and get's me pretty aggravated. It keeps coming back because tendinitis can only be cured by complete rest for 6 weeks (on average)

I can't do that...my job precludes that.

So I live with it. Fortunately it doesn't stop me from playing my drums. At work I just deal with it or take a tramadol or two.

Good luck to you. Remember, doing your own research does a ton of good in finding a solution.

Cheers, Dave

jbro · #13 08-01-2009, 01:35 AM

I recommend a second opinion and a chiropractor. Years ago I had carpal tunnel from many hours on keyboard and fretboard. Doc put me in a brace, which helped - taught me to keep my wrist straighter, especially when sleeping. Also got a key board pad for support and again keep wrist straighter. Chiropractor did some work on the muscles and got me doing exercises to strengthen my hands and forearms. I get some fatigue still, but never have had chronic pain since then.

Fassa Albrecht · #14 08-01-2009, 01:17 PM

Cheers guys!

jady · #15 08-01-2009, 01:38 PM

STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!!!!!!

I have the same problems, things that help are,

pay attention to your sleeping position, don't sleep on you side and if you do make sure your neck is supported.

Carry as little extra weight as possible, I just lost 15 lbs and it made a big difference.

Watch your posture, I tend to slump my shoulders forward and in. That compresses the nerve that goes down your arm.

NEVER play without doing 5-10 minutes of upper (and lower is good too) body stretches, especially concentrating on the arms, neck and shoulders.

Regular doctors really only treat this type of thing with medication like muscle relaxers and such. It only treats the symptoms not the cause.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Fassa Albrecht · #16 08-01-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jady

STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!!!!!!

I have the same problems, things that help are,

pay attention to your sleeping position, don't sleep on you side and if you do make sure your neck is supported.

That's something I've never thought of before...

Quote:

Carry as little extra weight as possible, I just lost 15 lbs and it made a big difference.

Watch your posture, I tend to slump my shoulders forward and in. That compresses the nerve that goes down your arm.

I've lost 3 stone already and the problem is getting worse...

Quote:

NEVER play without doing 5-10 minutes of upper (and lower is good too) body stretches, especially concentrating on the arms, neck and shoulders.

Regular doctors really only treat this type of thing with medication like muscle relaxers and such. It only treats the symptoms not the cause.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Good advice!

**lowendfriend** · #17 08-01-2009, 01:54 PM

I play a Warwick which has a real slugger of a neck. I was having CTS like pain....wrists, hands, forearms, etc.

Not realizing the source of the problem, I had another player look at what I was doing and he said,"What the heck are you doing with your thumb? Get it under your fretting fingers!"

Unbenounced to me, I was wanging my thumb up the back of the neck I guess as an unconscious strategy for dealing with the big thick neck.

I've been working hard to stop the Wang and my pain and stiffness is totally gone.

YMMV, of course, but the message is watch all aspects of your wrist posture.

Bruce Lindfield · #18 08-01-2009, 02:48 PM

Relaxed wrist is the key and this usually means raising the height of the bass to a position where the wrist on your fretting hand/arm is in a totally natural place when standing.

Play like Peter Hook and wrist pain is inevitable!!

BassChuck · #19 08-01-2009, 06:32 PM

Keep everything as relaxed as possible. No extreme bending of wrists. Breathe evenly. Center your mind on the music and let your body do what it needs to do to play the music.

If all else fails, there are other kinds of doctors. And really, electro-shock treatment only sounds scary.

Jazz Ad · #20 08-01-2009, 06:37 PM

Warming up. Do it.