Finger Went Numb

[iceshaft07]

Hey everyone.

I was playing the other day, and my finger quite literally went numb. At first I wasn't sure if it was, but I trusted my guitarist to take a grill lighter and do a little test. He felt it, but I couldn't tell at all.

The feeling came back after a few minutes, but it was a kind of shocking.

I noticed that both times that this has happened I have heard a crack or a pop in my wrist (like your cracking your knuckles).

The first time I did it, my thumb when numb, but this time it was my index finger.

Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong to cause this?

[BullHorn]

Perhaps your wrist is at a very steep angle. You should go see a doctor, or even better, go take a bass guitar lesson from a professional teacher that will tell you what you're doing wrong.

[Ibanezzer]

see a doctor, sounds like maybe carpel tunnel or tendanditis?

i've got carpel tunnell... go see a doctor before you make something like that worse if that is it.

[alavaia]

Actually sounds like a pinched nerve. Depending on which finger, you probably banged anywhere from your elbow to your wrist. Or it could have been you were just holding your wrist at an awkward angle for long enough to cause the temporary numbness. I remember I had banged my funny bone real hard one time, and lost feeling in my entire pinky for about 6 weeks.

[stillborn86]

Originally Posted by alavaia

Actually sounds like a pinched nerve. Depending on which finger, you probably banged anywhere from your elbow to your wrist. Or it could have been you were just holding your wrist at an awkward angle for long enough to cause the temporary numbness. I remember I had banged my funny bone real hard one time, and lost feeling in my entire pinky for about 6 weeks.

He definitely didn't bang anything. What probably just happened was your wrist just popped out of place (just like your knuckles) while playing and when it popped back into place, pinched a nerve really bad. That's probably what happened and is probably nothing to worry about.

I tell you this, but if it were me, and if I had medical insurance, I'd go see a doctor just in case. It may be a little tight (budget wise) if you don't have insurance for such a little thing. If it is something as serious as carpel tunnel, you are going to be grateful to have gone to check it out. If it is just a pinched nerve, well, at least you don't have to worry about it.

[m.oreilly]

Originally Posted by Ibanezzer

see a doctor, sounds like maybe carpel tunnel or tendanditis?

i've got carpel tunnell... go see a doctor before you make something like that worse if that is it.

+1

[Plinkerton]

Originally Posted by stillborn86

What probably just happened was your wrist just popped out of place (just like your knuckles)

Well, your knuckles don't actually "pop out of place" when you crack your knuckles. It's just gas escaping.

But, we know what you mean...

[BetterBottomEnd]

Carpal Tunnel is a pinching of the Median nerve which affects your thumb, index, and middle finger. Before this have you ever had a numbness or tingling in those three fingers? If so it's probably Carpal Tunnel progressing in which case you should get some braces and go from there. If not, and especially since you mention the cracking sound, its probably some dislocation that is pinching the nerve. Either way it would be best to have a doctor look at it although unless it keeps happening its not necessary.

[iceshaft07]

No, I have only had the problem while playing the bass for an extended period of time, usually at least four. Once I had it in my thumb, and the more recent time I had it in my index finger.

I did have an idea of playing with a wrist brace on, but I am not sure how well that would work. I was also thinking about getting one and wearing it to bed.

Do you think lowering the strap help at all? I have it kind of high, a few inchest below my chest angled upward a bit, but I am kind of tall.

[Steve]

That happens to me all the time. All I have to do is lower the strap maybe an inch and it goes away.