Went to the doctor today....

Zako · #1 05-20-2009, 04:50 PM

Turns out i have mild carpel tunnel

been playing bass for like almost 5 years and i never thought my technique was bad.

I was thinking it was the added stress with my new job unloading trucks and pulling and pushing large/heavy pallets of stuff. But Im not sure.

Im hoping it will get better, im wearing a brace now

Any advice or tips on how to deal with this?

Ron G · #2 05-20-2009, 06:45 PM

Which hand?, fretting or picking.

Fretting I switch from OFPF to 1-2-4. Picking my upper arm is now more in line with the body of my Bass as if I were playing with a pick. That position seems to have less stress on my wrist.

Knifedge · #3 05-20-2009, 07:18 PM

Carpal tunnel is a tough heal. You almost have to stop everything you are doing to make sure it heals, and even that is no guarantee.. many patients end up getting an operation to relieve the symptoms of it. If you have a mild case, it's probably that with limited use and application of that brace, it will return to normal.

More common folks who develop Carpal Tunnel include computer programmers, musicians, construction workers and other occupations where it involves the repetitive, vibrative or forceful use of your hands and fingers. Improper positioning of your hands where you bend your wrists sharply (when playing guitar or typing on the keyboard) will either start it, or very heavily aggravate it.

It is very important to make sure you take care of that, it is a hard to heal, easy to get worse type of affliction, where it can affect you for years especially if you are at the mild stage. My mom had it badly, she has had 2 operations to try to obtain relief from the pain and numbness, and now she has limited use of her hands, so keep on top of that.

Zako · #4 05-20-2009, 08:03 PM

Sorry i should of specified, its my Fretting(left) hand.

My left wrist has always been a little stiffer than my right as long as i can remember(which isnt very long :P).
I just finally went to the doctor when i noticed my fingers where starting to go numb while playing(mainly my middle and ring).

I started playing guitar too and possibly my hand wasnt used to using more than one finger at a time(chords

) ha.

Maybe this is a lesson from the bass gods to not play guitar

Allmanfan456 · #5 05-20-2009, 08:50 PM

Dude I know how you feel. I have carpal tunnel in both my hands pretty bad cases. And man order a pair of these before it gets worse.

http://www.therapygloves.com/faq.html#1

I went from playing barely being able to play punk to my usual thrash metal in a couple hours. Theyve saved my bass playing. So now I have a good long future full of bass ahead of me!

#6 05-21-2009, 05:52 PM

Check your shoulders sometimes carpal tunnel is actually referred pain from the shoulders and neck region.

Haysoochreesto · #7 05-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Is it feasible to go to southpaw and play with a pick? I don't know anything about the malady but it's the only solution I could think of.