Worried about fretting hand

[Matt2799]

I've been playing bass for a year or so now, and have recently come across what might be the beginning of a problem. Sometimes, whilst I'm playing normally my fretting hand (right) gets a sudden sharp pain which takes a few seconds to recover from. Is this normal?

Also I have found that when I'm on the computer using a mouse my hand often gets tingling sensations, like pins and needles, which never happened before I started playing bass.

I am very worried that this will develop into a bigger problem later, even though I do lots of hand excercises before playing.

Help would be much appreciated.

Matt

[dmusic148]

Sounds like carpal tunnel. Go to a hand specialist, now. Do not let this go, you'll regret it if you do.

[Matt2799]

I didn't know that carpal tunnel could affect me so soon.

Thanks for the advice.

[SmokeyB]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Sounds like carpal tunnel. Go to a hand specialist, now. Do not let this go, you'll regret it if you do.

Sharp pain is not usually a sign of Carpal Tunnel.

"Many people that have carpal tunnel syndrome have gradually increasing symptoms over time. The first symptoms of CTS may appear when sleeping and typically include numbness and paresthesia (a burning and tingling sensation) in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, although some patients may experience symptoms in the palm as well.[3] These symptoms appear at night because we tend to bend our wrists when we sleep, which further compresses the carpal tunnel.

Patients may note that they "drop things". It is unclear if carpal tunnel syndrome creates problems holding things, but it does increase sweating, which decreases friction between an object and the skin.

In early stages of CTS individuals often mistakenly blame the tingling and numbness on restricted blood circulation. They may also be at ease and accepting of the symptoms and believe their hands are simply “falling asleep”. In chronic cases, there may be wasting of the thenar muscles (the body of muscles which are connected to the thumb), weakness of palmar abduction of the thumb (difficulty bringing the thumb away from the hand).

Unless numbness or paresthesia are among the predominant symptoms, it is unlikely the symptoms are primarily caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. In effect, pain of any type, location, or severity with the absence of significant numbness or paresthesia is not likely to fall under this diagnosis."
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Sharp pain might be tendonitis. Which is what I have. It is directly attributable to unnatral hand positions
http://www.itendonitis.com/thumb-tendinitis.html

--Err, what other unnatural acts are you doing with your hands

Mine started as yours did. It also hurts if I touch thumb to pinky, ring fingers. It only goes away if you stop or alter your habits.

If you're playing or practicing for long stretches, stop doing that. Give you hand frequent rests.

Lay off for a couple days. If the pain stops you have a pretty good indication the bass playing is either causing or aggrivating it.

See a doctor if you are worried, don't ask a bunch of guys on a bass forum. And be prepared, cuz if you do have a problem the solution is likely to be staying off the bass for longer than you'd like.

[Matt2799]

I don't think I've started doing anything else with my hands recently apart from playing bass. I'm wondering if it might be anything to do with my hand position. Mines more or less like this, but with the thumb showing over the top of the neck slightly:

[GreggBummer]

This is just from my experience:

I used to get sore hands from playing from long stretches. As I got older, I thought I was developing carpel tunnel.

Then I started taking lessons again (after a break of 15 years) and the first thing my teacher addressed was my technique. I was playing WAY TOO HARD, my bass was not setup correctly, and I was not relaxed. My hand position was sloppy.

I needed to relearn some things... but it helped immediately. My hands dont get sore. Fingers are pain free. Oh yeah... I sound better!

Two bits of advice. First, see a medical professional. ASAP. Second, if don't have a teacher- GET ONE. Just a few weeks of lessons will help. No amount of forum posting, you-tube videos, DVD's, books, or snake oil can replace what you can get accomplished with a good teacher.

Your hands and your ears are more important then any gear you have. Take care of them.

[Audiophage]

Realise that you can also get the pins and needles sensations in your hands in your sleep from actual restricted blood circulation.