My thumb is 'clicking' (for want of a better word!)

Fassa Albrecht · #1 01-10-2009, 11:04 AM

Don't know if this is in the right place but I'll post it here.

When I'm playing my various instruments, there's this funny sensation in my right-hand thumb which has been happening for a while.

It starts as a tingling sensation in the two joints and then either of the two joints starts clicking and it becomes quite painful.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem is?

tplyons · #2 01-10-2009, 12:09 PM

Tingling sensation suggests something nervous, or some swelling. And pain is a sign from your body to stop doing something.

Therefore: don't ask a bunch of bassists on the internet, go see a doctor.

Fassa Albrecht · #3 01-10-2009, 12:15 PM

The strange part is that this only occurs WHEN I'm doing something musical.

Implosion · #4 01-10-2009, 01:21 PM

Your wrist is possessed by musical demons. Consult a priest for an exorcism.

Fassa Albrecht · #5 01-10-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Implosion

Your wrist is possessed by musical demons. Consult a priest for an exorcism.

I need sig room!

Jared Lash · #6 01-10-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Tingling sensation suggests something nervous, or some swelling. And pain is a sign from your body to stop doing something.

I agree. You should stop playing bass.

Fassa Albrecht · #7 01-10-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

I agree. You should stop playing bass.

What? Permanently?

**Howlin' Hanson** · #8 01-12-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I need sig room!

Then it's time to cough up the $20 (or equivilant) and be a member. If I can do it, you can do it.

Try hand flexes for 10 minutes before you play. Also hot soaks. And see a physician.

Mine crack too. I play through the pain, but at nearly 60 years old I figure I have less than 15 years playing time left, so what the heck.

BellBottomBlues · #9 01-12-2009, 06:15 AM

What exactly are you using your thumb for? You might wanna try fingerstyle...

lamonica78 · #10 01-12-2009, 09:02 AM

Could be signs of overuse/stress. A few years back, I had job that required a lot of typing/computer work. That coupled with practice put a lot of stress on my wrists. I went to a hand specialist who basically told me that I did not have carpal tunnel or anything serious, but recommended that I use wrist bands/splints, ice down my wrists every night, take anti-inflammatory meds, etc. My suggestion is to go to the doctor and get it checked out. Take a break from practice until you do so. Better to be safe and take things easy for a bit than do permanent damage

MakiSupaStar · #11 01-12-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

The strange part is that this only occurs WHEN I'm doing something musical.

Don't do anything musical then.

Mark Latimour · #12 01-12-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

The strange part is that this only occurs WHEN I'm doing something musical.

What are you doing with your instruments that's not musical?

Baryonyx · #13 01-12-2009, 11:01 AM

Time to go and see a doctor, that doesn't sound normal. However, it could be a phantom ailment, beware!

smeet · #14 01-12-2009, 11:07 AM

Sounds like you are tensing up and putting a lot of pressure on your thumb while playing. You should correct this as soon as possible before you injure yourself.

Try playing whole notes very slowly and really watching and feeling what your hands and arms are doing. You might be surprised at how much unnecessary tension and movement you are actually creating.

Fassa Albrecht · #15 01-14-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamonica78

Could be signs of overuse/stress. A few years back, I had job that required a lot of typing/computer work. That coupled with practice put a lot of stress on my wrists. I went to a hand specialist who basically told me that I did not have carpal tunnel or anything serious, but recommended that I use wrist bands/splints, ice down my wrists every night, take anti-inflammatory meds, etc. My suggestion is to go to the doctor and get it checked out. Take a break from practice until you do so. Better to be safe and take things easy for a bit than do permanent damage

I'm going to the doctors methinks....someone suggested cartilage damage as a possibility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Don't do anything musical then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

What are you doing with your instruments that's not musical?

Nothing at all...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baryonyx

Time to go and see a doctor, that doesn't sound normal. However, it could be a phantom ailment, beware!

Going!

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeet

Sounds like you are tensing up and putting a lot of pressure on your thumb while playing. You should correct this as soon as possible before you injure yourself.

Try playing whole notes very slowly and really watching and feeling what your hands and arms are doing. You might be surprised at how much unnecessary tension and movement you are actually creating.

I'm going to go and speak with my music director in my church...he might know what's the problem.