Still having HUGE issues with wrist pain DESPITE correcting the position of my hand

Fassa Albrecht · #1 10-25-2008, 01:34 PM

I decided on the basis of being told off by a TBer to really tighten up my left-hand position. I'm now playing much higher up than I would have.

One problem- my left wrist still has the RSI issues. They're not as bad as before but they're still there when I play.

Any ideas for a solution? At the moment I play across my lap, like a pedal steel.

bassrest · #2 10-25-2008, 01:44 PM

see a doctor before its to late. trust me on this.

WarwickFan · #3 10-25-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrest

see a doctor before its to late. trust me on this.

+1,000

onlyclave · #4 10-25-2008, 01:53 PM

Just quit.

Thundar · #5 10-25-2008, 01:59 PM

Yeah I would agree....get to the doctor

Mojo-Man · #6 10-25-2008, 02:07 PM

See a doctor.

How do you wear your strap? (high,low)
Wrist maybe bent to much?

Don't mess with pain.

Stumbo · #7 10-25-2008, 02:08 PM

If it hurts, don't do it. If it keeps hurting and you keep going, you may injure yourself permanently.
See the Doc to find out what he/she thinks.
You might want to check out WebMD.

Fassa Albrecht · #8 10-25-2008, 02:17 PM

One slight problem- at the moment I don't HAVE a doctor to see. My uni med. dept. won't do a thing either.

JimmyM · #9 10-25-2008, 02:18 PM

Find one. You live in a country with socialized medicine...certainly you should be able to find one.

fretlessman71 · #10 10-25-2008, 02:20 PM

Did you try bending your fingers from the joint where they meet the hand, and straightening the wrist? Lots of people miss this idea.

Darkstrike · #11 10-25-2008, 02:24 PM

Why not keep on doin' this, buy a slide mabye, might be cool. I tried it a little, can sound real good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

At the moment I play across my lap, like a pedal steel.

Fassa Albrecht · #12 10-25-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Find one. You live in a country with socialized medicine...certainly you should be able to find one.

True.

Saying that, I'm looking at a summary of my medical records and I've reported this on 7 occasions to my doctor, and they refused to do anything other than dose me up on tablets.

Jazzdogg · #13 10-25-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I decided on the basis of being told off by a TBer to really tighten up my left-hand position. I'm now playing much higher up than I would have.

One problem- my left wrist still has the RSI issues. They're not as bad as before but they're still there when I play.

Any ideas for a solution? At the moment I play across my lap, like a pedal steel.

I agree with everyone who said to see a doctor ASAP. Additionally, I'd ask whether you have a bass teacher/mentor who can provide objective feedback about your body mechanics.

If you're willing to post a short video that shows your playing technique, we'd be in a better position to offer specific feedback.

What does, "I'm now playing much higher up than I would have." mean?

For me, one solution to repetitive stress injuries has been adjusting my strap so my bass is positioned the same while standing as it does when I'm sitting with my left foot elevated and my bass resting on my left knee - like a classical guitarist. When the head of my bass is elevated I find it far less tiring and stressful, and easier to play, than when the neck is horizontal (parallel to the ground).

Fassa Albrecht · #14 10-25-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I agree with everyone who said to see a doctor ASAP. Additionally, I'd ask whether you have a bass teacher/mentor who can provide objective feedback about your body mechanics.

If you're willing to post a short video that shows your playing technique, we'd be in a better position to offer specific feedback.

What does, "I'm now playing much higher up than I would have." mean?

For me, one solution to repetitive stress injuries has been adjusting my strap so my bass is positioned the same while standing as it does when I'm sitting with my left foot elevated and my bass resting on my left knee - like a classical guitarist. When the head of my bass is elevated I find it far less tiring and stressful, and easier to play, than when the neck is horizontal (parallel to the ground).

Like I said, this won't be the first time I've been to a doctor about it and they have so far refused to do a thing.

Also, when I say I play higher than I did, I did use to play with the body of my Shergold sitting quite low. The upper horn usually sat level with my belt buckle, like Peter Hook.

Might try the classical guitar thing...

xshawnxearthx · #15 10-25-2008, 02:35 PM

here is what you do.

first, stop playing. stop playing for a month or so then try again and see how it feels.

at that point if it still hurts then go to a dr.

ever since i sprained my wrist bridge jumping i would get pain from certain positions. so i stopped playing and tried to let it heal the best i could. then once it healed i started to do wrist exercises to strengthen everything. since then i've been pretty good.

Fassa Albrecht · #16 10-25-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xshawnxearthx

here is what you do.

first, stop playing. stop playing for a month or so then try again and see how it feels.

at that point if it still hurts then go to a dr.

ever since i sprained my wrist bridge jumping i would get pain from certain positions. so i stopped playing and tried to let it heal the best i could. then once it healed i started to do wrist exercises to strengthen everything. since then i've been pretty good.

I've been unable to play bass for almost three months now. Which sucks.

Thundar · #17 10-25-2008, 02:40 PM

I had Carpal Tunnel for years and finally had surgery...now Im back to normal, and able to play without pain...something I hadnt been able to do in probably 5 years...one of those miracles of modern medicine.

Nyarlathotep · #18 10-25-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

At the moment I play across my lap, like a pedal steel.

So.... your like the bass version of Healey?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Why not keep on doin' this, buy a slide mabye, might be cool. I tried it a little, can sound real good.

Man, you've just made me wanna whip out my slide again.....

Fassa Albrecht · #19 10-25-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundar

I had Carpal Tunnel for years and finally had surgery...now Im back to normal, and able to play without pain...something I hadnt been able to do in probably 5 years...one of those miracles of modern medicine.

I wish I was in your position...

wazzel · #20 10-25-2008, 03:19 PM

Look at how you do other things also, it may not be completly bass related. I was having wrist issues and worked out my technique and still had some discomfort. Turns out I was driving with my wrist at 90deg angles and pushing hard for some reason. I never noticed I was doing it. You may have other bad habbits that add to the problem, how you sit at a keyboard, drive, etc, etc. Just pay attention and see a doctor.