Serious pain?

peterpalmieri · #1 03-31-2007, 10:33 AM

Ok this sucks I feel like I sprained my wrist, I can play the DB but can't use my hand for much else, picking stuff up typing etc. Also get a tingle down my forearm while playing. I thought it would go away during the week some anti inflamatories, a brace ice and heat. I should mention I didn't do anything that would indicate I sprained my wrist but I have been practicing more lately.

Any suggestions for home remedies and do I need to see a doctor on Monday? I am suresome of you have had this experience, thanks for the help...

Pete

jazzbassnerd · #2 03-31-2007, 11:35 AM

Tingle down the forearm?? That's carpal tunnel syndrome or some type of repetitive stress thing.

Be VERY, VERY careful. Lay off the bass for a bit.

G-force · #3 03-31-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

Ok this sucks I feel like I sprained my wrist, I can play the DB but can't use my hand for much else, picking stuff up typing etc. Also get a tingle down my forearm while playing. I thought it would go away during the week some anti inflamatories, a brace ice and heat. I should mention I didn't do anything that would indicate I sprained my wrist but I have been practicing more lately.

Any suggestions for home remedies and do I need to see a doctor on Monday? I am suresome of you have had this experience, thanks for the help...

Pete

Peter,
first of all. GO GET PROFESSIONAL ATTENTION NOW. It is probably nothing serious BUT you should be seeking advice from a medical physician.
Which hand is it?
OK
If your MD starts talking about invasive treatments in the event this turns chronic I would reccomend getting more than one opinion
.
Also read the book by John E Sarno called "THe Mind Body Prescription".
Sarno is a serious orthopedic MD with a large practice in NYC. His views on carpal tunnel syndrome and the other muscle-skeleton problems are very interesting and much cheaper than surgery.

Believe me.

Good luck
Glenn

Ric Vice · #4 03-31-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

Ok this sucks I feel like I sprained my wrist, I can play the DB but can't use my hand for much else, picking stuff up typing etc. Also get a tingle down my forearm while playing. I thought it would go away during the week some anti inflamatories, a brace ice and heat. I should mention I didn't do anything that would indicate I sprained my wrist but I have been practicing more lately.

Any suggestions for home remedies and do I need to see a doctor on Monday? I am suresome of you have had this experience, thanks for the help...

Pete

Peter,
I Hope you have already contacted or visited a physician. If it's CTS then my reccommendation is to find a MD or DOM that is a certified Accupuncturist. They can treat things in very effective ways. Hopefully this is a temporary injury. Keep well

Ric

peterpalmieri · #5 03-31-2007, 04:51 PM

Thanks I plan on doing some readingon the topic tonight and see my doctor eary next week. It's the left hand...

warenut · #6 03-31-2007, 05:03 PM

Peter-

Ditto to all of the previous advice. Stop playing, see a doctor.

Having gone through this myself 10+ years ago, I would also seriously think about finding a teacher who can help you when you're ready to play again. Because at the end of the day, I believe it comes down to dodgy technique.

Since you're in the NYC area, try contacting Andy Eulau (I believe he's in Jersey City). He's a great bassist who relearned the instrument after a crippling bout of tendonitis in both arms. Additionally, any serious contemporary classical player should be able to get you pointed in the right direction. If you're still doing the old school "left-arm parallel to the floor" business, you're asking for trouble.

Good luck!

peterpalmieri · #7 03-31-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the advice, I do have a good teacher. Part of the issue is that I've been playing way more then normal lately. Past 4 or 5 months or so......

Marcus Johnson · #8 03-31-2007, 07:56 PM

That "stop playing" part always scares me... I love my job, but the retirement package sucks!

Michael Case · #9 04-04-2007, 07:31 PM

Peter,

How's the hand doing?

peterpalmieri · #10 04-04-2007, 07:51 PM

That's nice of you to ask, not sure I am going to the Chiropractor on Friday. Seems it is carpul tunnel I've been wearing a brace and resting it the best I can. Some heat some ice etc.

Interestingly enough it doesn't hurt as much when I play as when I try to use it for other things after I play.

Thanks again for asking...Pete

Michael Case · #11 04-05-2007, 08:31 AM

I think that has to do with our ability to work around pain when we are doing things we enjoy. You'll have to adjust your bass playing as well as your non-bass usage of your left hand/arm. It's not fun!

MT Spaces · #12 04-05-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

.... Seems it is carpul tunnel I've been wearing a brace and resting it the best I can. Some heat some ice etc.

Hello Pete,
I can relate ..... I had kind of bum wrists from years of working with my hands even before I took up playing double bass

. After I started playing and feeling some pain I started using one these DynaFlex gyro gizmos: http://www.dynaflex-intl.com/flash_s...ortsgyros.html .
It has really helped along with "hand yoga" stretches. Like others have said, good technique is very important. I use the gyro ball to warm up both wrists before I do any serious playing. Good Luck, keep us informed

.

peterpalmieri · #13 04-05-2007, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the advice I 'll research that info tonight, I have an appointment tomorrow and I'v isolated my wrist movement with a brace. I also have a gig tomorrow night after that I have the week off so I can rest and recoup if needed!

Uncletoad · #14 04-05-2007, 07:02 PM

I strongly recommend a meeting with our own Don Higdon and exploring Alexander Technique. He's just over the bridge in NJ.

It has been very effective at reducing my carpal tunnel issues. I combine that with periodic acupuncture and massage.

There are those that choose surgery for this issue and have had great success at it. My bass instructor being one. There are others whose results were not as positive. I have tried to avoid surgical interventions. That's an individual choice of course.

Regardless, I do know that studying Alexander has changed the way I sit, move, play, work...all for the better.

Oh and using the braces at night helped for quite a while.

warenut · #15 04-06-2007, 05:44 PM

A second to the Alexander suggestion. Peter, if you can find him, check out a legit guy in NYC named Chris Mathers (PM me if you're interested). He was one of my primary teachers, and incorporated Alexander into his teaching.

Not to flog a dead horse, (and not to second guess you or your teacher more than I already have) but I firmly believe that it all boils down to technique. I've been through periods of playing 10-12 hours daily for many months with no adversity thanks to proper technique.

As to the surgery, another second. There's an example of a well known player here who had it done and, some years later, had to have it re-done. Again with the technique.

Good luck.

Don Higdon · #16 04-11-2007, 06:34 PM

Peter,
Situations like yours are confronted by Alexander teachers every day. Uncle Toad's kind words notwithstanding, you don't have to travel to New Jersey; there are many good teachers closer to you. If you'd like, I can give you names and numbers.
One of the reasons I became an Alexander teacher was that I had been seeing chiropractors 25-30 times a year. When I began taking Alexander lessons, that all stopped. It's been years.
If you want to read or talk about the Alexander Technique, my website has information and my phone number. I'd be happy to help.

peterpalmieri · #17 04-11-2007, 07:49 PM

Thanks I'll read up on the Alexander technique.

I'm not sure it is a technique issue, I've been working with a really good teacher here in NY.

BTW it has been getting much better but I haven't pushed it yet....

Don Higdon · #18 04-12-2007, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

Thanks I'll read up on the Alexander technique.

I'm not sure it is a technique issue, I've been working with a really good teacher here in NY.

Just to be clear...The Alexander Technique has nothing to do with bass playing per se, and everything to do with all of human behavior. It is fundamental, working at the level of how we respond to stimuli of any sort.

Steve Clark · #19 04-12-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Knebel

Hello Pete,
I can relate ..... I had kind of bum wrists from years of working with my hands even before I took up playing double bass

. After I started playing and feeling some pain I started using one these DynaFlex gyro gizmos: http://www.dynaflex-intl.com/flash_s...ortsgyros.html .
It has really helped along with "hand yoga" stretches. Like others have said, good technique is very important. I use the gyro ball to warm up both wrists before I do any serious playing. Good Luck, keep us informed

.

I have just started experiencing a right wrist pain this last week. I went to my chiropractor who says I don't have a carpal issue. Instead we'll work on stretching as well as massaging the wrist joint where she says there is scar tissue. No doubt from my bent wrist BG playing which I have been working on corrrecting in the last month of so. Now that I'm typing on the keys I'm thinking it could be related to typing as well.

The reason for the quote is to ask what the Dyno ball does for you. I'm curious about what it does for you.

Rattman · #20 04-12-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-force

Peter,
I would reccomend getting more than one opinion

Also read the book by John E Sarno called "The Mind Body Prescription".
Sarno is a serious orthopedic MD with a large practice in NYC. His views on carpal tunnel syndrome and the other muscle-skeleton problems are very interesting and much cheaper than surgery.

Glenn

Roger that! Thanks.. I also have some painful, chronic issues. TB members are so good about disseminating good useful information.