help me!!!!!

[fuzzythecat]

does anybody else get a pain on the pinky side of their fretting hand after playing? if so, do u perhaps know what it could be?

i'm convinced it's carpal tunnel syndrome, but perhaps others could help me out...if it is carpal tunnel, did u get the surgery or what else did u do for it?

[Turock]

I've had carpal tunnel surgery. What you are describing are not symptoms of carpal tunnel.

[deadworld101]

You should go to a massage therapist, they will do body work on your wrist, hands and forearms and possibly give you a few streches that you do. Plus if you talk to them and explain your situation they will probably only charge you a little if anything at all to do 10 minutes of work on you.

[Thundar]

Ummmm...yes it can be a symptom of carpal tunnel, but it does not sound typical of CTS. I had the surgery 3 years ago and it worked wonders, I do still have pain and discomfort in my fretting hand after long gigs, but nothing at all like it used to be.

[fuzzythecat]

i was also thinking it could be a repetitive stress injury because we've been gigging and practicing a lot more often

[Turock]

Originally Posted by Thundar

Ummmm...yes it can be a symptom of carpal tunnel, but it does not sound typical of CTS. I had the surgery 3 years ago and it worked wonders, I do still have pain and discomfort in my fretting hand after long gigs, but nothing at all like it used to be.

Ummmm... no it's not:

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

From:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/c...pal_tunnel.htm

[hrodbert696]

I doubt it's carpal tunnel, one usually feels that in the wrist. Still, take it seriously. I'd say 1) take a bit of a rest for a day or two and let it try to heal up/relax, 2) re-examine your technique and see if you're doing anything that's putting undue stress on that pinkie - try a few different hand positions and see if they help, 3) see a doctor if it's persistent, and 4) do not rely on people on the internet for medical advice.

[Groove Doctor]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I'd say 1) take a bit of a rest for a day or two and let it try to heal up/relax, 2) re-examine your technique and see if you're doing anything that's putting undue stress on that pinkie - try a few different hand positions and see if they help, 3) see a doctor if it's persistent, and 4) do not rely on people on the internet for medical advice.

Get a professional who knows what they are doing to examine it, do any necessary testing and diagnose it correctly. Only then can you get appropriate advice from others on treatment and management.

But you'll still need to look at your technique, ergonomics (position of bass and hands, bass dimensions, etc), playing schedule (duration, rest), etc in the long term.

[Codymb]

I'm not a doctor but I'm willing to bet I know what your problem is.

Do me a favor and snap a photo of how you hold your bass. I just need to know how you position your hands while you're playing.

Also, have you noticed any difference from when you are standing verses when you are sitting?

[fuzzythecat]

i'm pretty sure it's my hand positions, and it's only bad when i do some big stretches standing or sitting

[Codymb]

Here's what is most likely your problem.

A lot of bassists make the mistake of positioning their hands in ways that are counter productive to their playing, either because it's convenient or because they've developed bad habits. This is usually caused by wearing their bass too high or too low, or sometimes from just holding the bass at odd angles in relation to their body.

One of the more common issues, and what you are likely experiencing, is in the positioning of the wrists.

When making those large stretches a lot of bassists position their wrists in an extreme Ulnar Deviation, Flexion, and/or supination. People also create extreme Ulnar deviation from wearing their bass too high and having to reach the lower notes, while wearing your bass too low creates an extreme Flexion position.



The problem with these positions is that you are putting a lot of pressure on the ulnar canal (or Guyons canal), where the ulnar nerve travels into the hand. Putting pressure on this area can damage the superficial terminal branch of this nerve. (Shown here in green)
Which is where your pain is coming from.



With out seeing how you position your hand for myself I can only speculate, but I'm pretty sure this is what is causing your problem. The issue is not in your hand, but rather your wrist.

So to correct this, just position your bass in the proper, traditional position, and make sure that you're keeping your wrists straight.

I hope that helps.

Edit: Also, keep in mind that you can do permanent damage to this nerve. Straightening your wrist out and using proper positioning techniques should relieve your problem, but if it starts bothering you again you should stop playing, put the bass down and go call your doctor.