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07-06-2009, 01:16 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Napa, California | |  Wrist pain (do I have carpal tunnel?)
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Okay, here is my story. I am having a sharp, pinching pain on the inside of my wrist when I play with my index and middle finger. I generally am getting pain only when my wrist is not straight. It doesn't really hurt unless I am playing bass or fingering the air with those two fingers. This is the second day it has been hurting, it is almost instantly unbearable. Let me explain the backstory though, before you diagnose me.
Two nights ago, I slept with my right arm (I play right handed) in awkward positions (I was cuddling while sleeping with a girl). It may have tweaked my wrist in some way, but it seems unlikely that it would cause all of this pain especially since that was two nights ago.
The day after that, yesterday, I played bass for a large amount of time. Probably a minimum of 3 hours. I don't usually play that much every day, especially almost non stop. I was playing a fairly fast song most of that time, Glasgow Kiss by John Petrucci. It is 207 bpm and almost all eight notes for what I was leaning and practicing. So, using my index and middle fingers almost constantly for that time. I played mostly sitting down and I play my bass pretty high up when I stand. I did notice that my wrist was bent a bit during my playing, which is definitely a bad thing.
So, with all of this in mind, do you think I have carpal tunnel? Or did I just play too long, too fast with my wrist bent too much? I have never encountered this problem before and am very frightened at the possibility of this being a long term problem. If the problem persists tomorrow, I am going to go to a doctor.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy  stack the 6x12s
it will amuse me | |
07-06-2009, 01:20 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA | | | do you use one finger per fret? |
07-06-2009, 01:22 PM
|  | Bass lines like a big, funky giant | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern MN | | Quote:
Originally Posted by chanson If the problem persists tomorrow, I am going to go to a doctor. | Definitely the best way to find out what's going on. If you ask us (TB members) we're just gonna tell you stories of when we did or did not have similar symptoms which did or did not turn out to be carpal tunnel syndrome.
BTW, our drummer just had surgery on both wrists to attempt to clear up his problems. So it's not just bassists who can be afflicted! |
07-06-2009, 01:24 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, TX | | | don't know, but i'd advise that you stretch before you play, every time!
good luck!
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07-06-2009, 01:30 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Napa, California | | Quote:
Originally Posted by tranceFusion do you use one finger per fret? | The pain is in my plucking hand
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy stack the 6x12s
it will amuse me | |
07-06-2009, 01:39 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: AZ mountains | | | Sounds like a massive tumor to me.
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To each his own when it comes to tone.
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07-06-2009, 01:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gastonia, NC | | You do NOT have carpal tunnel. Basically, carpel tunnel includes tingling in your fingers as well as pain and wrist pain. I know, I've had both hands done. More of a sprain/strain type deal for you. Some folks use wrist wraps/ace bandage type stuff for some relief for your symptoms. You might try taking a couple of Advil too. As with any strain/sprain, less use helps healing. 
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You Can't Have Too Much Bass.
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07-06-2009, 02:02 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by snyderz Sounds like a massive tumor to me. | It's not a tumah. |
07-06-2009, 02:05 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Providence, RI | | Quote:
Originally Posted by conundrum It's not a tumah. |
Son of a...beaten by two minutes! |
07-06-2009, 02:13 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC | | | STOP BENDING YOUR WRIST WHEN YOU PLAY!!
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Peace
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07-06-2009, 02:31 PM
| | | | I had the same thing. Treated it with anti imflamitory tabs for a couple of days and streaching. Careful streaching is essential. Then started playing small amounts of time every day slowly increasing intensity. Always streach and warm up before you play to avoid reocurrance of this problem. Also, daily maintenance practice will help strengthen your fingers against this injury in future. |
07-06-2009, 02:43 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rutherford, NJ | | Firstly, see an orthopod (orthopedic doctor) preferably a hand specialist and get an examination. Injuries may be serious, denial is not a cure and advice from TBers may prevent you from getting help as quickly as you might.
Second, get a teacher and get your technique issues addressed. Correct posture and technique does not cause pain.
Finally, make sure you are using condom. A hand doctor or bass teacher will not protect you from STDs. Not sure why I added that comment, but it's good advice. 
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07-06-2009, 02:48 PM
| | | | Go to the doctor as soon as you can. You should not do anything without consulting a specialist. Wrist pains are serious things if you're not able to play anything without feeling hurting yourself. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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