Can't play due to pain-help please?

Aner Stroz · #1 06-19-2009, 05:19 AM

hey guys i'm new here it's my 1st thread...i don't know what to do anymore it's driving me crazy..you see i play bass alot,about 7 hours a day..and 'till now it was ok i mean i had some pain in my fingers,and my skin sort of..fell off?(soory about my english)..but it got extremely bad about a month ago,and since than i actually can't play for more than 5 min than i fell like i can't play anymore because of all the pain..anyone got any suggestions on how to make it heal completly? and how to make sure it wont happen again? it would really help me,thank you.

EBBassMan · #2 06-19-2009, 05:35 AM

You need to see a doctor first and foremost.

Marley's Ghost · #3 06-19-2009, 05:42 AM

Welcome to TB. Read the FAQ's and do searches. Lots of threads on pain issues. I would stop playing for now and get to a doctor asap.

Aner Stroz · #4 06-19-2009, 05:44 AM

seriously? a doctor? well..ok i'll see what i can do..thank you.

Marley's Ghost · #5 06-19-2009, 05:47 AM

Can you be more specific on exactly where the pain is?

Aner Stroz · #6 06-19-2009, 05:56 AM

ehm..well..most of the pain is at the..damn i don't know the word in english..i would say the top of the finger? or the finger pad?altough,it feels like my intire hand is like that? it feels dry,yet moist..it's really hard to explain..you know when you play for a while,your fingers top is starting to like..to peel? well that's what happend to me,just in a really serious way..

klokker · #7 06-19-2009, 06:01 AM

In general, if something is hurting badly when you play, or feels overly strained, you should stop and give it a rest. Also the best teachers I've had have recommended taking a 15 minute break every hour. One day off a week.

Also stretching is important for your fingers and wrists.

Most important is developing a relaxed wrist and arms while playing.....reducing tension as much as possible. This in my experience is the real key to pain free playing......and takes a lot of discipline and poise to develop. For me, its a "spiritual" thing.

Good luck. Take some time off....see the doc if you can like others have suggested. Hope things heal up.

Aner Stroz · #8 06-19-2009, 06:03 AM

thank you..you have just lighted my eyes..thought the best way to get better is just playing without taking a break to breath..one day off a week? that's intresting indeed.

Froaderick · #9 06-19-2009, 06:08 AM

Sounds like you've got blisters and kept playing and tore the skin up... that will hurt like a mother

yea, definitely give your fingers time to heal, get checked by a dr to be safe

Gotta admire the dedication tho

psychotiger · #10 06-19-2009, 06:11 AM

Playing that long everyday you may have caused inflammation of nerves and/or muscles. Sounds like a repetitive motion injury. First, stop playing for now. You don't want to worsen the problem. As others have posted, have this checked out medically. You may eventually need to see a physiatrist (rehabilitation physician) if the problem does not resolve but it likely will get better without needing a specialist. Second, seek out a bass instuctor to monitor your technique. Often times improper hand position is the culprit. Finally, seek out a good bass tech. S/he can get the action lower so that it takes much less pressure to finger a note therefore lessening the chance for re-injury. Related to that, monitor the amount of pressure you are using when fretting a note. You may be habitually using too much pressure. Again, a good instructor can help with this.

Aner Stroz · #11 06-19-2009, 06:11 AM

yes blisters! that's the word i was looking for!..thank you btw,i just thought "yeah i'll keep playing until i won't be able the feel the pain anymore"-that was a dumb idea obviouslyXD
anyway ty

psychotiger · #12 06-19-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aner Stroz

ehm..well..most of the pain is at the..damn i don't know the word in english..i would say the top of the finger? or the finger pad?altough,it feels like my intire hand is like that? it feels dry,yet moist..it's really hard to explain..you know when you play for a while,your fingers top is starting to like..to peel? well that's what happend to me,just in a really serious way..

Ah, that's different. I thought you were talking about hand and wrist pain. Take a break. Probably several days off to allow healing. Consider flatwounds?

Aner Stroz · #13 06-19-2009, 06:14 AM

psychotiger,thank you but my problem isn't with the nervs,it's just as i pointed out at last reply,a blister gotten really really bad(i guess)..but i'll better check it out anyway

Aner Stroz · #14 06-19-2009, 06:16 AM

what are flatwounds? and that's the thing,it's not a few days..i wasen't being able to play properly for about a monthe now,that's the problem

Aner Stroz · #15 06-19-2009, 06:18 AM

oh just found out flatwounds are some kind of strings..can you explain me about it?(soory bout my ignorance,i only play for about 7 monthes-and even though i'm trying my best it's still only 7 monthes.)

RJMiller · #16 06-19-2009, 06:20 AM

Sorry if I missed which hand - or both hands - you are having pain in.

If fretting - possible to press less hard on the strings? Try playing with your thumb pushing on the back of the bass neck as lightly as possible. That is don't strangle the neck.

If plucking hand - pluck less hard. Let the amp do the work.

+1 all the previous replies.

Hope this helps.

(I'd say your English is darn good.)

RJM

Aner Stroz · #17 06-19-2009, 06:32 AM

yeah it's both hands=\..and thanks for the tips.

Marley's Ghost · #18 06-19-2009, 06:53 AM

New Skin liquid bandages or crazy glue can help blistered fingertips

Aner Stroz · #19 06-19-2009, 06:58 AM

i'm not sure i have this "new skin liquid" here in israel,but i'll search for it

psychotiger · #20 06-19-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aner Stroz

oh just found out flatwounds are some kind of strings..can you explain me about it?(soory bout my ignorance,i only play for about 7 monthes-and even though i'm trying my best it's still only 7 monthes.)

Roundwounds can be harder on your fingers than Flatwounds. Flatwounds do not have ridges, they feel smooth.