building up nerve stamina - is it a thing?

[AngelCrusher]

Tennis elbow can come from using higher tension strings as well. I prefer low tension strings and a light touch.

 

[travep]

You can help a bit with the tennis elbow by "rolling" your bicep. Those that hit the gym may have had a trainer show them. I had a CrossFit coach suggest that I lay the end of a 45 lb bar on my bicep and roll it towards the elbow and then back towards the shoulder. It hurts...but it really rolls out the muscle...that tightness will make your tennis elbow much worse. Just a thought...

 

[DavC]

sounds to me , like some is getting pinched or a knot in your shoulder/neck ... especially since it's numb and tingly in 4th/5th fingers ... take a look at a spinal nerve chart ...

my wife has had neck and back surgeries ... i've spent lots of time looking at those charts in her docs office ..

she also had some arthritis in her shoulder area nearby where several nerves criss/cross that made parts of her arm/hand numb-ish

like others have said ... those very boring various carpal tunnel exercises will help ... wrist curls , military press for shoulders , etc ...

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

Nerve Stamina would be a great name for a 90s Hardcore Punk band. Could totally see them opening for Rancid or Fugazi.

Ok, jokes aside. I never had the problem that you are talking about until I became a line cook. Now, I have tricep/wrist pain constantly from cutting meat and veggies all day. It definitely affects my playing. I heard wearing a compression sleeve on your arm can help. I'm looking into buying one.

 

[geowis]

I went through long periods of just barely practicing, and then I went overdrive on it, but in the process I "sprained" my arm, for lack of a better word.

I took some time off from playing then & resumed with some better methods for left-hand technique.

I stand to play/practice now as well. In that area I don't have a problem for stamina, but if I play a lot I can feel it the next day & realize maybe I should slow down.

My arm problem was a numbness. I lost the grip in my ring & pinky fingers, but that's fine now.

I played quite a bit on Saturday & I could feel a bit of tennis elbow on Sunday, so I didn't do any playing.

Will I build stamina over time so that I can virtually play as long as I like, or should I just listen to my body & cool it when I sense that numbness setting in?

Coincidentally, my right hand also fatigues easily now, just holding a mouse.

The thing that I need to keep an eye on is resting my forearm on the bass body as it cuts off the circulation. One of my basses is a slab body, so I rarely practice with it, but almost always gig with it.

From what you're describing with the numbness, I would venture a guess that you're guilty of the same thing.

 

[Doner Designs]

Constant struggle for me (right hand). For me the only things that help are rest, heat and Aspercreme. The crème may not do much but I figure it can't hurt.

Heat actually helps heal by stimulating blood flow. It's not just to feel better in the moment.

 

[TripleDouble]

Nerve stamina is not a thing, but strong muscles that do not get exhausted are, as well as eliminating postural issues that may lead to inflamed tendons and ligaments is. Sounds like you're on the right track - stay hydrated, loose, and eliminate weird angles in your wrist, arm, neck, and back. Never, ever "play through the pain", you can permanently wreck things.

 

[Latitude94941]

Have not read whole thread but for the benefit of OP and anyone else reading this thread:

For the symptoms you describe, find a practitioner that is certified in Active Release Therapy. If you google the term you can go to the site where you can do a search for your area. Years ago, suffering from symptoms similar to OPs I found out about this and it was the answer.

 

[ofajen]

I would suggest that you may find some useful guidance here:

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Otto

 

[cnltb]

I went through long periods of just barely practicing, and then I went overdrive on it, but in the process I "sprained" my arm, for lack of a better word.

I took some time off from playing then & resumed with some better methods for left-hand technique.

I stand to play/practice now as well. In that area I don't have a problem for stamina, but if I play a lot I can feel it the next day & realize maybe I should slow down.

My arm problem was a numbness. I lost the grip in my ring & pinky fingers, but that's fine now.

I played quite a bit on Saturday & I could feel a bit of tennis elbow on Sunday, so I didn't do any playing.

Will I build stamina over time so that I can virtually play as long as I like, or should I just listen to my body & cool it when I sense that numbness setting in?

Coincidentally, my right hand also fatigues easily now, just holding a mouse.

I am quite sure you will. Just don't over-do it whilst building up the necessary strength.
And...do mind your posture whilst doing it(Alexander technique,s suggested is a good one, I think!)!!

 

[Flatwoundround]

Jeff Berlin has a video on youtube on how to avoid physical problems on the bass. Essentially he is simply saying lower your action and play with a much lighter touch. I would also add that lower tension strings help alot too. I have done all these things and they have helped me out tremendously. Also as others have said take a break every 45 minutes or so and listen to your body.

 

[morgansterne]

I had occasional numbness of the hands as well. In my case I tracked it down to work -- I fix copiers for a living. Gripping a screwdriver, repeatedly turning with the wrist a hundred times a day, would catch up with me quickly when I'd start to play bass or keys.
I got a cordless electric drill for work and now I can play for much longer with no problems. My hands still get sore but not numb.
Perhaps you might have some similar adjustment you can make in your daily habits.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I play 3 hr gigs with 1 break 3 times a week and practice quite a bit, and Ive noticed I occasionally get numbess in my left hand thumb. It's definitely a technique thing because it doesn't always happen. I do think I have something pinched in my elbow from repetitive stress though.

 

[pbass2]

Yeah, sounds like you're not relaxed and playing/digging in, etc. just too hard. Even if you've let up it still takes time to recover. But it most definitely could be aggravated by, or even originating somewhere up or downstream of where the pain or numbness is registering.

I've had everything from back issues to wrist, shoulder and knee problems that have been cured by getting myofascial release massage. A skilled therapist using this technique can really work wonders. They also will talk about your posture, how you move, etc. and get you sorted.
What is Myofascial Release? - Myofascial Release - John F. Barnes, PT

I also recommend rolling out muscles and fascia with a foam roller, and yoga balls (even a tennis balls can work): Invalid Link Removed
I get really jacked up from sports and these things help a lot, on the advice of the therapist I've been to.

 

[Fabio_MIJ]

 

[Josh Kneisel]

Yes Massage Therpy is very helpful. I'm lucky enough to be dating one who is willing to work on my hands and arms after gigs which is a life saver

 

[brianrost]

Numbness is bad, bad, bad. It sounds like you are getting tendonitis. I have had it before and it's serious. When you mentioned the mouse it set off alarms. When I first got it playing bass, working at a computer (typing and mouse) and driving a manual transmission stick shift all caused pain. It wasn't any one thing as much as all of them aggravating the same tendons. It usually doesn't just "go away". I required physical therapy sessions, ultrasound and exercises to do on my own. Then I changed my right hand playing technique and tweaked my computer setup for better ergonomics.

You should see your doctor and ask for a referral to an orthopedic doctor if necessary.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Stretching before and an ice pack after will help what you've got going on. Sounds like some internal swelling that is pinching the nerves.
I get it too, more as I've gotten older.

And lightening up your touch, as you're talking about.
One exercise I have my students try is playing a whole song without touching the back of the neck with their thumb. You shouldn't play like that all the time, of course, but it can help you learn how little you need to grip.

Make sure your setup is on point. Good nut slot height is a big factor for me in being able to have a lighter left hand.

in reference to not using the thumb...
You know I've done that at gigs, when midsong I get a cramp in the web of my thumb. Great suggestion

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The thing that I need to keep an eye on is resting my forearm on the bass body as it cuts off the circulation.

I sold my ASAT bass & my BC Rich Warbeast partially for this reason, because they're both squarely cut & would cut off my circulation pretty quickly.
Yeah, I should have just improved my technique, but I had other reasons as well.


Thanks for the tips guys. It looks like I have some reading and viewing to do.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

In addition, neck tenseness, clenching teeth, hunching shoulders all contribute to the equation.
And with the amount of time you seem to spend online, as was mentioned before address your keyboard and mouse habits.
If you have at all the controllers cause all kinds of issues due to holding your hands in a static position for long periods.
My left hand cramps up more from holding and typing in my phone than it does from an hour long fretboard marathon.