Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

metdistortion · #1 06-29-2009, 01:38 PM

Earlier this evening, I was playing bass, but gave it a rest after a few minutes, due to an irritating feeling in my plucking fingers, which felt like I my fingers weren't callused, along with a tingly feeling in my fingers.

A few hours later, the tingly feeling started spreading throughout both my hands, and now my right wrist aches as well, and my hands are quite clammy. I googled my symptons, and after some trouble finding similar problems, it seems like my symptons match Carpal Tunnel syndrome, a conditions I've heard about on this forum.

I'm only 16 and have only been playing bass for not much longer than a year, and I am worried that this could put an end to m short playing history. Any advice as to what I should do would be much appreciated. Thanks.

kcamsdog1387 · #2 06-29-2009, 01:48 PM

I remember an article on this a few years back in BassPlayer magazine. First off, how high do you play your bass? How are your hands angled when you play? I think if you look online you can find simple exercises that will looses up the joints and tendons. My aunt is a chiropractor and she was always on my ass about keeping my hands as loose as possible and try to keep my plucking hand straight, along with my posture.

metdistortion · #3 06-29-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcamsdog1387

I remember an article on this a few years back in BassPlayer magazine. First off, how high do you play your bass? How are your hands angled when you play? I think if you look online you can find simple exercises that will looses up the joints and tendons. My aunt is a chiropractor and she was always on my ass about keeping my hands as loose as possible and try to keep my plucking hand straight, along with my posture.

Thanks for the reply. I normally have my bass about waist high. But I think I do have my wrist fairly bent when finger plucking. However I can definately feel strain when playing like this whilst sitting down. I tend to get these feelings in my hand and wrists every now and again, should I be worried?

kcamsdog1387 · #4 06-29-2009, 01:56 PM

The general answer on this is if it hurts, stop playing. Not totally, but simply find whatever position you can so that it doesn't. I'd recommend going to a chiropractor and getting your wrists checked out. I don't know how people feel about them, but I've been going since i was about 8 and i love it.

Miles Berry · #5 06-29-2009, 01:58 PM

Yes, but just take a break for a little while, alternate icing and heat pads on the meaty part of your thumb, and change your technique, focus on keeping your right wrist as straight as possible when you play. Also, warm up and stretch your hands out before every practice, and buy some wrist braces and wear them while you sleep, and possibly while you practice, they will for surely keep your wrists straight.

good luck

allexcosta · #6 06-29-2009, 02:40 PM

Read this:

floating thumb techniqe

metdistortion · #7 06-30-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

Read this:

floating thumb techniqe

I do already use the floating thumb technique, but I still have problems keeping my wrist perfectly straight

Asher S · #8 07-10-2009, 08:52 AM

These exercises might help you:

http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm

And maybe these (no diagrams here):
http://www.safecomputingtips.com/car...-exercise.html

PDK · #9 07-10-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm not a doctor but I am currently recovering from carpel tunnel surgery. You need to have a test done to see how bad it is. Then go from there. I had tingling in my fingers and numbness while I played and when I wasn't. They told me I had a moderate case and I could try exercises but surgery was better option. You may not be to that point yet. But I would check it out.

JimmyM · #10 07-10-2009, 12:46 PM

You need a teacher who teaches proper technique as taught by major music schools to straighten you out before you make it any worse. It sounds to me like your technique is way out to lunch.

PDK · #11 07-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You need a teacher who teaches proper technique as taught by major music schools to straighten you out before you make it any worse. It sounds to me like your technique is way out to lunch.

He's right this is very important.

metdistortion · #12 07-11-2009, 04:50 AM

I went to the doctor the night after this happened to me, and he didn't suggest it may have been Carpal Tunnel syndrome, but told me to come back if the problems persist. I have not really had the tingly feeling and numbness, apart from when I've slept on my arms funny, but my wrists often feel strained. Do you an of you think it could still be Carpal Tunnel syndrome?

Thanks

Fergie Fulton · #13 07-11-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metdistortion

I went to the doctor the night after this happened to me, and he didn't suggest it may have been Carpal Tunnel syndrome, but told me to come back if the problems persist. I have not really had the tingly feeling and numbness, apart from when I've slept on my arms funny, but my wrists often feel strained. Do you an of you think it could still be Carpal Tunnel syndrome?

Thanks

I would be surprised if you had CTS. you show none of the true characteristics of this condition.
Please understand many things are needed to induce CTS, but not many for a repeditive strain injury (RSI).
First off your age makes it highly un-likely for CTS but a RSI is more likely. Also in both hands suggests a central problem like in your neck area of your spine. Look at you strap and your posture.

Now googling your symptoms was a bad move.. Your Doctor thinks it un-likly so take that as read or get a second opinion.
At 16 your body is still developing so aches and pains are a normal thing, your bass playing may just be highlighting this.

As Jimmy says check out you technique with a teacher and try some simple stretching exercises before and after playing.

As someone who deals with bass players with physical problems, and have put years of study and research into this subject, i agree with your Doctor, and would take his advise. Please understand no one and i mean one one can answer your problems on-line, myself included, you have to be examined and have real tests like Phalen, or Tinel and have them backed up with nerve conduction tests. CTS has many causes and many mimics, as well as many culprits, like diabetes.

Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults. This i why you don't have the "true" characteristics of CTS.