Tendonitis in plucking hand ...

[mlbarlow]

So, my doctor has me on 1600mg/day of ibuprofin, I'm resting my right hand as much as possible, and trying to remember to do the exercises my physicial therapist friend taught me.

Has anyone dealt with tendonitis in their plucking hand? I know it's an overuse injury, but seeing as my day job is teaching band, I don't have much opportunity to practice, and then I go out and play four hour gigs a few times a month. It would seem to me that I would need to keep up a practice regimin of a couple hours a day to pull off bar gigs, which just isn't happening between work and my family.

So I guess I'm wondering about 2 things:
1) How did you get rid of it?
2) How did you keep it from returning?

Peace

[jsbass]

If it isn't an option for you, I play with a pick. I never worry about any of these hand issues.

[mlbarlow]

you know, while I totally respect picking, i'm not sure that it would work well in the way I play ... but hey, I'm up for trying anything

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Do you play with your hand bent over the bass? or is your arm straight?

[JimmyM]

Can't see you play, so it makes it tough t tell you what to do. Maybe talk to someone else in your area or post a vid on Youtube. Sounds like you've got a severe angle in your right arm without seeing you, but you need someone to take a look at your technique.

[georgestrings]

Stretching before playing can help a little in that situation - I put my hands together, palms facing each other(like in prayer) at chest level, then push downward to stretch... Also, making sure your hands are warm before playing can help - I see you're in Plattsburg, and I know it gets pretty cold up there(I'm in Syracuse)... Running warm to hot water over them, keeping them in pockets, etc... can help...



- georgestrings

[mlbarlow]

thanks guys ...

I actually play with a completely straight wrist. (sometimes by necessity with my splint ) I use the floating thumb technique. Of course, I have not always used this technique, so this could be payback for bad technique in the past ... but even then, the angle was not excessive.

I have thought about posting a video on youtube with my current technique to get some thoughts on it ... I will be sure to post here if I do so.

(I apologize for the lack of contractions ... my computer is going all wonky when I use the apostrophe key ... I am as weirded out as you are)

[jamesblue]

Rest as much as possible. Pay attention to other things you use your hands/wrist to do like typing on the computer, cooking and games. I've had a mild problem with my fretting hand, I think it's from stressing it while sleeping, this is quite common, sometimes while we sleep we naturaly bend our wrists. Sounds strange but if you wake up and your wrist hurts... I haven't used a brace yet, but may need to if it gets worse. It seems to have been temporary.

[mlbarlow]

jamesblue ... i would recommend the splint at night. i went from wearing one all the time to pretty much when I sleep and when I play. i've slept without it, and boy, can I tell when i awaken

for the 20-odd bucks you'll spend, you'll thank yourself

[Trevorus]

I'd do the brace thing (I had to do it for my tendonitis) and watch the position your hand is in. That's very important to watch where the strain is coming from.

[jamesblue]

Originally Posted by mlbarlow

jamesblue ... i would recommend the splint at night. i went from wearing one all the time to pretty much when I sleep and when I play. i've slept without it, and boy, can I tell when i awaken

for the 20-odd bucks you'll spend, you'll thank yourself

Thanks, I think I will.

[markjazzbassist]

i think i have tendonitis in my plucking hand as well.


are you supposed to have a straight arm or bent?

does anyone have any vids of the "correct" placement for the plucking hand?


thanks,

mark

[mlbarlow]

the best possible way I've found to play is the floating thumb method. in fact, I gigged last night with my wrist splint on (my physical therapist friend was there ), and I felt much better than playing without it last week (hey, I'm typing now, right?!)

so, to answer your question, a straight wrist is what I'm advocating

[mlbarlow]

ps mark ... you asked about a video, there is a sticky on the technique thread on floating thumb

(but you probably knew that)

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by mlbarlow

ps mark ... you asked about a video, there is a sticky on the technique thread on floating thumb

(but you probably knew that)

thanks. im subscribed to that thread (cause i wanna learn floating thumb when my 5er gets here), but i haven't read the whole thing yet.

[Zinkff]

I recently had tendonitis in my middle plucking finger. I ended up seeing a hand therapist because it swelled up and became stiff and painful. I have been doing a series of hand stretches and exercises and it is much better. One stretch is pushing back on the fingertips. Another is bending the fingers down at the first joint and pressing in. Another is making a fist and pressing in. I have also been using a Gripmaster finger exerciser.

[mlbarlow]

The gripmaster is a great idea ... what strength are you using? Did your therapist have you get that, or was that your idea?