Wrists...

[tZer]

From the pics my first thought is pic no. 2 - no, no, no... it's a bass, not a baseball bat! LOL

Pic no. 1 - yeah, from the pic it looks like you've got quite an angle going there - and my first thought is for you to bring your elbow out a bit from your side.

But pictures are deceptive. I have some other questions and possible answers:
1. What else do you do that might be causing your wrists pain? Do you play computer games that are wrist-intensive (First-person shooters et al.)
2. Do you work on a computer a lot? Doing graphics/photoshop/Flash/Illustrator?

These sort of activities take an awful toll on your wrists - both of them. If the computer is a factor, you may want to investigate some ergonomic equipment - mouse - keyboard and possibly some wrist wraps like these:


http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...&id=prod359737

And finally, here are some bass player stretches for you:

1. Stretch fingers back opposite of the joint. 10-15 seconds each hand.

2. Bend hand forward as far as possible stretching wrist for 10-15 seconds each hand.

3. With hands and fingers extended in front of you, slowly rotate each hand as far left and right as possible 10 times.

4. Starting in same position, rotate hands in circular motion through full range of motion.

5. Drop hands to side and shake out.

6. Pull elbow with opposite hand across body. 10-15 seconds each arm.

7. Clasp hands and extend palms above head.

8. Find muscle that controls arm movement above chest and under collarbone. Massage and warm up muscle.

9. Find forearm muscle that controls finger movement. Massage and warm up muscle.

Take care of those wrists! You need 'em!

[rpatter]

Originally Posted by keewa

the crease between wrist and hand.

and earlier it was the muscley bit between thumb and index.

it's so weird. It was fine until one day something just changed, and no I can't seem to remedy it whatever i try.
bad habits eh

Funny, I had the same issue years ago when I played a 4 string Jazz bass. Never had it with 5 string either.

Until you can get it resolved, try icing after you play. A ziplock bag of crushed ice will work fine. This will keep it from getting any more inflamed. I don't know what they are called across the pond, but we have doctors over here called kinesiologists. One of them should be able to tell you what's going on and give you some specific stretches and exercises to help. If you absolutely have to get through a gig, ibuprofin or asprin will reduce the inflammation, but that's really only a temporary fix.

Ralf

[MeYHymN]

Originally Posted by tZer

And finally, here are some bass player stretches for you:

1. Stretch fingers back opposite of the joint. 10-15 seconds each hand.

2. Bend hand forward as far as possible stretching wrist for 10-15 seconds each hand.

3. With hands and fingers extended in front of you, slowly rotate each hand as far left and right as possible 10 times.

4. Starting in same position, rotate hands in circular motion through full range of motion.

5. Drop hands to side and shake out.

6. Pull elbow with opposite hand across body. 10-15 seconds each arm.

7. Clasp hands and extend palms above head.

8. Find muscle that controls arm movement above chest and under collarbone. Massage and warm up muscle.

9. Find forearm muscle that controls finger movement. Massage and warm up muscle.

Take care of those wrists! You need 'em!

++1, just like professional athletes who stretch before a competition or workout. I might also add, pay for an hour or so of professional instruction. Not a guitar player that teaches bass, but from a genuine bass player. Actually being there watching you play would be much more clear than from looking at the pictures you posted.

[keewa]

Ok. I've started doing all those exercises. I'm starting to think it might be a pinched nerve, seperate to the bass-playing that's responsible for the pain. But I still need to work on my technique though.

[keewa]

it's still aching after playing. i'm not liking this.

[Vorago]

see a doctor

[keewa]

i plan to, tomorrow I shall.

[jady]

It sound like a pinched nerve, I also have this problem. It could be cause by how you sleep, do you sleep on your side? If so you are probably compressing your nerves by having your shoulders bunch up when you sleep. try sleeping on your back in a more erganomic position or prop yourself up with pillows to reduce your shoulders bunching up when you sleep.

[steve66]

Have you changed your strap recently or the way you wear your bass? your wrist angle is to severe.

try this

Hold your elbow at a 90 degree angle with your wrist inline and fingers straight palm facing up.

Lay the bass in your hand and place your thumb in back of the 2nd fret. Without bending your wrist curl your fingers on the fretboard.

Dont move your wrist, move the bass into position using your elbow.

your wrist should just hang there

[Scourge441]

In picture 1, it looked like your wrist was extremely tense. Maybe that could be a problem?

[keewa]

all sorted. my technique's fixed and stuff.

[cord]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

If brute force isn't enough, then you're just not using enough brute force.

Try to bend your thumb and your big knuckles on your fingers more to have more of a curve.

strength= endurance