TENDONITIS!! WHAT TO DO?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #1 08-30-2010, 08:31 PM

So apparently I've got tendonitis around my plucking hand and a bit in the pinky or so of my fretting hand. Not really a surprise, knowing that I play more than anyone else I know, and always can be found with a bass in my hand and a new song on my mind, playing out on the fretboard. However, I don't know how long to hold off my beloved instrument. I'm not sure what to do to help fix this crap. And finally, I really don't know what precautions to take to avoid this in the future, and still keep the juices flowing fast and often.

Any suggestions? I really want to get over this as fast as possible. My band's finally starting to get somewhere, and I'm the frontman of the trio. Plus, I'm already suffering withdrawl...

powerbass · #2 08-30-2010, 08:44 PM

You could try researching this Health Related Issues To Playing.

MysticMichael · #3 08-30-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

However, I don't know how long to hold off my beloved instrument. I'm not sure what to do to help fix this crap. And finally, I really don't know what precautions to take to avoid this in the future, and still keep the juices flowing fast and often.

Any suggestions? I really want to get over this as fast as possible.

Yeah. Don't just ask us. See a doctor!

And don't worry about getting over it as quickly as possible - if that means starting to play again before you're actually over it. Be smart. Try to look at the big picture & long term - and don't risk developing a much more serious, maybe even crippling condition - just because you want to get back into action ASAP.

One more thing: Have a competent professional (bass instructor) check out your playing technique - and if necessary, improve it. It's always possible to develop repetitive motion injuries despite having good technique. It's much more likely to develop them because you have poor technique.

This isn't a canker sore, dude. Or just a bad cold. Or chicken pox. Take it seriously - or suffer the consequences...

MM

slybass3000 · #4 08-30-2010, 09:25 PM

Stop playing right now !!!

Like somone said earlier go see a doctor and get some pain killer but don't play yet. Do some warm-ups exercices for your shoulders and when you'll start playing buy a mirror and practice in front of it to look at your position.

Good luck and take this seriously if not you might have a hard time to go back to bass.

emblymouse · #5 08-30-2010, 09:47 PM

That pain is there to warn you to stop doing whatever it is you are doing to your hands and wrists. See a doctor. It takes a long time to aggravate a tendon, and it takes a long time to heal. It's not like a muscle spasm or something, there is relatively little blood flow there.

Long story short, I had surgery and ended the pain almost immediately. Had I paid proper attention early on I would likely not have needed this drastic treatment. Don't screw around, get yourself checked out.

bass12 · #6 08-30-2010, 10:13 PM

Definitely go see a doctor. A few years ago I developed some pain in my right arm and right-hand fingers. My doctor told me it was mild tendonitis and referred me to a physiotherapist. Fortunately I caught things early enough and I've been fine ever since (the physio gave me some exercises to do). As for the future, stop practicing so much. Really. You're doing yourself more harm than good. Playing bass is a physically demanding activity and your body clearly isn't comfortable with what you're doing. Ease up on things - you'll fare much better in the long run.

Elsie8687 · #7 08-30-2010, 11:46 PM

+1 on the "see a doctor" advice and then, with the doc's OK, sitting down with a professional instructor for a technique checkup. I'm 66 years old, started playing pretty late in life compared to you youngsters, and have a touch of arthritis setting into my hands. Lined up some sessions with a great instructor who taught me pre-playing stretching/warm up routines and corrected some technique issues that were aggravating my situation. Result is less pain while actually doing more with my playing. Must admit that the four-fingers-on-four-frets stretch is still a challenge.......but, hey, I can do it now.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #8 08-31-2010, 05:15 AM

Would wearing a brace do any good until I can get to a doctor?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #9 08-31-2010, 05:26 AM

And I forgot to mention, the middle finger of my plucking hand is a little noticably stiffer than any other finger, including the same finger on my plucking hand.

fearceol · #10 08-31-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Would wearing a brace do any good until I can get to a doctor?

I think the general advice is to see a doctor immediately.

What's the point in delaying ?

tobie · #11 08-31-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Would wearing a brace do any good until I can get to a doctor?

Highly unlikely. The injury is possibly the result of an incorrect wrist angle during play. Unless you change that (good advice above to let someone check it out), you'll probably force your wrist into the same position even with a brace. In addition - a brace might strain other parts of your wrist / hand which were fine before wearing the brace.

Stop playing NOW is the first correct step in the direction of recovery.

fonnet · #12 08-31-2010, 06:35 AM

+1 for the doctor but here are some things you can do before tendinitis occurs or now that you are hurt. In order for the body to heal itself in your sleep, the inflammation must be calmed. That's why you'll be prescribed pills but a very good natural anti inflammatory recipe is ice. You can put a bunch of ice cubes in a bag or buy these blue jelly plasticized bag in a sport supply and put it in the refrigerator. Then, you put the ice on the wrist to cold it until you feel a little numb. Your nerves are calmed, the healing can occur. BUT never use your hand once they are numbed: the nerves are partially down so the muscles won't engage and the tendons will compensate. As a result, you'll be worse.
I find pretty convenient to cold down my wrist(s) when I'm in bed, ready to sleep, I'm sure I won't use my hands before 6 hours! The next morning, it should be a little better. In your case, try to find 2 more spots in the day when you can cold your wrists/hands (10-15 minutes) and rest them for at least an hour.
It saved me from surgery as well as helped me recover after several too long/too late shows or insane practice sessions...
Along the way of healing, consider isometric exercises for your hands/wrist/forearms and not braces or other things that limit motions in every direction. It will weaken the whole section of the arm.

Rudreax · #13 08-31-2010, 07:37 AM

Get a doctor, and stop playing bass however you're playing it. There are pros that play bass for hours upon hours at a time and don't suffer injuries because their wrists are straight there is no cutting off of any blood flow. In other words, simply playing a lot doesn't make things bad; if you have proper technique you can play as long as you want. Make sure both wrists are as straight as possible whenever you play.

mcapote · #14 08-31-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Would wearing a brace do any good until I can get to a doctor?

that's more for carpel tunnel than tendinitis. I have both and the brace don't help the tendinitis. only thing that helps is not doing crap with that hand for a couple weeks till the swelling goes down

OPBASSMAN1994 · #15 08-31-2010, 08:03 AM

My wrist tecnique doesn't look any different than most people I have seen. I don't rest my arm on the body, I curve it (my wrist) a little, to hit high notes while I anchor, but my anchor has moved up to the strings, so curving is minimum, and I've seen lots of bassists do that. The one exception is Geddy Lee, who actually curves his hand outward, thus wrist inward, and does all that awesome, crazy crap almost without an anchor, and shoulder almost forward...What am I doing wrong? Should I adopt his whole inward wrist thing? What? If it doesn't mean taking 4 months to relearn everything I've ever played, I'll change my technique instantly. But I don't think I'm doing anything wrong... Maybe I should post some pics.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #16 08-31-2010, 08:15 AM

Forgot, I use the computer alot, could that contribute to the tendinitis?

OPBASSMAN1994 · #17 08-31-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobie

Highly unlikely. The injury is possibly the result of an incorrect wrist angle during play. Unless you change that (good advice above to let someone check it out), you'll probably force your wrist into the same position even with a brace. In addition - a brace might strain other parts of your wrist / hand which were fine before wearing the brace.

Stop playing NOW is the first correct step in the direction of recovery.

I mean, while resting it.

nobodysfool · #18 08-31-2010, 08:16 AM

Post the pics, but see a doctor, NOW! if there is a sports medicine facilty in your area, that might be your best bet. The main thing is to find out what is happening, how to treat it, and give your body time to heal.

I struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis in my hands. My right hand (plucking/picking) is worse than my left, but I have had to adjust my technique in order to continue to play. I am under treatment for RA, and it's in remission, but not before it robbed me of some of my manual dexterity, and nearly all of my ability to play 6 string guitar. Most bassists would look at my hands and technique, and wonder how I can even play, but I can get the notes out, without pain or damage to my hands and fingers or wrists. Most people tell me I'm playing better than ever, but I can tell that I've lost some of my ability. I was stubborn, and didn't get treatment for the RA until it was almost too late. It wasn't just my hands, it was my ankles too, and I was nearly to the point of being bound to a scooter chair for all but short walks. Now, I'm able to walk and stand for long periods with no pain, or very little. No scooter chair needed.

These things are serious! Do NOT ignore it, get it looked at, and do what it takes to heal and get back to doing what you love. Make the changes you must, and don't take short-cuts.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #19 08-31-2010, 08:45 AM

I see that you have your hand diagonal to the strings. Should I do that? I curve my wrist to the right a little to be perpendicular to the strings.
And thank you very much for the advice. I'm self taught, so I really just learned to play by trial and error. Maybe that's why my technique is a bit off...

OPBASSMAN1994 · #20 08-31-2010, 08:49 AM

Oh, and I can't see a doctor now, I'm in school still, so I have to wait a bit. in the meantime, I've got a planned treatment of ice, rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, a brace for when I'm writing and wresting, and flat out prayer that I haven't screwed up my plucking hand too bad.
Anything I need to add?

Besides obviously paying a visit to my doctor asap.