Like all Americans of Irish descent, I hope one day to see your fine island.
I'd be happy to show you around, if/when you ever visit.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Stretches to help Avoid it or Ease it
- Thread starter JacoNOT
- Start date
I'd be happy to show you around, if/when you ever visit.
Carpal tunnel compresses the Median nerve as it passes through the wrist and palm, it affects the thumb, index and middle fingers. This is because the Median nerve has to get past the tight structure of the wrist and be safely protected in the palm to reach those fingers so is closest to the skin surface and in contact with hard tissue.
In Cubital it is the Ulnar nerve as it passes the elbow, it affects the little and ring finger. CTS can only affect the radial side of the hand, Cubital can only affect the Ulnar side. As the Ulnar nerve comes close to the surface at the elbow it is at its most vulnerable, the same as the Median nerve is vulnerable as it crosses the wrist and palm, because it is close to the surface and again has hard tissue to contend with.
These are just two types of entrapments that people talk about, but others are common along the line from the fingertips to the neck.
Any damage or entrapments along these lines, even at the shoulder, can cause sensations at the nerve endings.
Since the nerves end in the fingertips, that is where you will feel it most. Fingertips have some of the most dense and clustered nerve endings because we have so much sensitivity there to feel pain, pleasure, pressure, heat, cold, air convections such as the strongest winds to the faintest of breezes.
In all if you have constant symptoms get them checked out if you have any worries, there are a wides range of causes, some easy to fix, not all are CTS.
i've injured my elbow in many ways, from football injuries, to a bad car wreck to lifting heavy weights, etc. I'm not surprised in the least that I was diagnosed, but it was scary as hell to wake up with a numb hand that persisted for weeks so far.
GREAT! and thanks. If I keep playing bass, maybe you can push my wheelchair for me...I'd be happy to show you around, if/when you ever visit.
Another Ergonomic Bass Consideration I picked up somewhere online, or maybe from Ed Frieland's Hal Leonard book set:
Assuming you fret with your LEFT hand, hold your left elbow out, away from your body. I tend to naturally tuck the left elbow in against my waist/belt, as most of us probably do.
But when I remember to lift that elbow up and away from the body (maybe 10" out from my side) the strain on my left wrist is reduced immediately.
Try it for yourself.
Assuming you fret with your LEFT hand, hold your left elbow out, away from your body. I tend to naturally tuck the left elbow in against my waist/belt, as most of us probably do.
But when I remember to lift that elbow up and away from the body (maybe 10" out from my side) the strain on my left wrist is reduced immediately.
Try it for yourself.
I have CTS as a result of a work injury--not as a repetitive injury, so keep that in mind with my advice:
I have no symptoms 90% of the time, and bass playing or guitar playing do not cause any symptoms unless I play excessively, or on a wide necked instrument like a 5+ string bass or 12 string guitar. But, when I do have symptoms, the best thing that I can do is not play....and wear a wrist brace until symptoms are completely gone for a couple of days.
If I have an important gig while I have symptoms, then I wear my brace to all practices and only take it off only for the gig. After I'm done playing--it goes back on. By wearing a brace during practice--I've discovered ways to modify my technique in a way that keeps my wrist in a better position ergonomically, which makes it even less likely that playing the instrument will cause increased symptoms.
Anyway, my advice to you is to get a brace to wear during your practice time--it will at least show you which positions are likely to increase your symptoms.
I have no symptoms 90% of the time, and bass playing or guitar playing do not cause any symptoms unless I play excessively, or on a wide necked instrument like a 5+ string bass or 12 string guitar. But, when I do have symptoms, the best thing that I can do is not play....and wear a wrist brace until symptoms are completely gone for a couple of days.
If I have an important gig while I have symptoms, then I wear my brace to all practices and only take it off only for the gig. After I'm done playing--it goes back on. By wearing a brace during practice--I've discovered ways to modify my technique in a way that keeps my wrist in a better position ergonomically, which makes it even less likely that playing the instrument will cause increased symptoms.
Anyway, my advice to you is to get a brace to wear during your practice time--it will at least show you which positions are likely to increase your symptoms.
OCF ==
It's fun to watch the LOGIC play out in sequence as it does in your post. One new understanding leads to the next and the next, and ultimately you find a totally unexpected relationship between two things (the wrist brace actually demonstrates improved playing postions/techniques).
Great post, and to add to this sleeping with a night hand brace is also an option. A lot of problems can be elevated during sleep without the sufferer being aware......as they are sleeping???
Lie on hands or elbows, sleeping in positions that strain or reduce blood flow are common, but because the effects wear off fast they are not giving a second thought.....until the effects linger for longer....and longer. In some extreme cases they will wake the person.
A pillow can be use to rest the arm on, so elevating it, during sleep. Neoprene supports be used to protect the wrist and elbows, o would even recommend neoprene wristband supports as a matter of course.
Check out the link for a UK based company that supplies such items and use it for a search for similar companies in your own area.
Link Removed
Also a good mattress that accommodates and supports the body better is another great option, many people simply have mattresses that do not support their bodies correct.
Quote "OCF ==
It's fun to watch the LOGIC play out in sequence as it does in your post. One new understanding leads to the next and the next, and ultimately you find a totally unexpected relationship between two things (the wrist brace actually demonstrates improved playing postions/techniques)."
True....and it really pointed out to me that what is taught commonly as "correct position" isn't always correct for you. For example, I took guitar lessons years ago--I'm very familiar with the "thumb behind the neck" classical style position. But guess what---that position really fires up my CTS, especially if it's already irritated. But the "incorrect" rock style "thumb over the neck" works really well for me-- and that's what the brace forces me to do. For me, clearly the "improper" position is ergonomically superior.
It's fun to watch the LOGIC play out in sequence as it does in your post. One new understanding leads to the next and the next, and ultimately you find a totally unexpected relationship between two things (the wrist brace actually demonstrates improved playing postions/techniques)."
True....and it really pointed out to me that what is taught commonly as "correct position" isn't always correct for you. For example, I took guitar lessons years ago--I'm very familiar with the "thumb behind the neck" classical style position. But guess what---that position really fires up my CTS, especially if it's already irritated. But the "incorrect" rock style "thumb over the neck" works really well for me-- and that's what the brace forces me to do. For me, clearly the "improper" position is ergonomically superior.
OP Here.
I put D'Addario black nylon tapewounds on my fretless 5-string a couple of weeks ago, and they're fantastic. Absolutely smooth surface. If I wanted to, I could do great-sounding slides the entire length of the neck, effortlessly.
And apparently the tapes do ZERO harm to my rosewood fingerboard. They're light to the touch and sound surprisingly bright and articulate. I was expecting dark-and-thumpy, but that only happens if I pan to the neck pickup and roll off my Mid and Hi EQ entirely. Otherwise, I get a full, useful tone spectrum with lots of mids.
The D'Addario Nylon Tapes are not floppy, and the B-string provides a solid, clear fundamental pitch. Both my basses arrived with SIT roundwounds. The SIT B-string makes "noises" at the first five frets, but I just cannot hear the pitches. And my little clip-on tuner can't detect the B-string pitch at all. The D'A Tapes are a tremendous improvement. All the B-string pitches ring true and the tuner registers them.
If you're having hand or wrist problems (or want to avoid them), consider D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds. They feel "light", or perhaps I should say they accommodate and encourage a light touch from the bassist. The packet of strings weighs less than a set of typical metal strings, and that's how they feel on the bass - like they're "lighter" and require less finger pressure from BOTH hands. At least that's my perception.
I put D'Addario black nylon tapewounds on my fretless 5-string a couple of weeks ago, and they're fantastic. Absolutely smooth surface. If I wanted to, I could do great-sounding slides the entire length of the neck, effortlessly.
And apparently the tapes do ZERO harm to my rosewood fingerboard. They're light to the touch and sound surprisingly bright and articulate. I was expecting dark-and-thumpy, but that only happens if I pan to the neck pickup and roll off my Mid and Hi EQ entirely. Otherwise, I get a full, useful tone spectrum with lots of mids.
The D'Addario Nylon Tapes are not floppy, and the B-string provides a solid, clear fundamental pitch. Both my basses arrived with SIT roundwounds. The SIT B-string makes "noises" at the first five frets, but I just cannot hear the pitches. And my little clip-on tuner can't detect the B-string pitch at all. The D'A Tapes are a tremendous improvement. All the B-string pitches ring true and the tuner registers them.
If you're having hand or wrist problems (or want to avoid them), consider D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds. They feel "light", or perhaps I should say they accommodate and encourage a light touch from the bassist. The packet of strings weighs less than a set of typical metal strings, and that's how they feel on the bass - like they're "lighter" and require less finger pressure from BOTH hands. At least that's my perception.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f21/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-cts-info-922789/
The link above is for a thread just newly sticked at the top of this page concerning CTS.
Thanks to JacoNOT for making it happen and being the catalyst behind me sorting out the info. There is a time and place for such things and I see that now is the time and here on TB is the place thanks largely to conversations we have had on the matter.
Not aimed at replacing this thread, but just highlighting some of the facts about CTS and what you can expect and not expect from developing it......and again a big thanks to JacoNOT for making it happen.
The link above is for a thread just newly sticked at the top of this page concerning CTS.
Thanks to JacoNOT for making it happen and being the catalyst behind me sorting out the info. There is a time and place for such things and I see that now is the time and here on TB is the place thanks largely to conversations we have had on the matter.
Not aimed at replacing this thread, but just highlighting some of the facts about CTS and what you can expect and not expect from developing it......and again a big thanks to JacoNOT for making it happen.
Thanks for credit/kudos, Fergie. People sharing information online has improved my life in many ways, giving me the chance to do things I would never have attempted (or even know about), and do them well. I'll "give back" every chance I get.
You, Fergie, have a unique ability and desire to dig into technical subjects and make your findings available to others. I believe the more we all do that, the quicker we level out the playing field worldwide (whoa! big concept...)
So thanks.
You, Fergie, have a unique ability and desire to dig into technical subjects and make your findings available to others. I believe the more we all do that, the quicker we level out the playing field worldwide (whoa! big concept...)
So thanks.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/take-good-care-your-hands-504219/index3.html
if you're having issues with your hands / wrists read my post # 111 in this stickied thread in the misc. section
if you're having issues with your hands / wrists read my post # 111 in this stickied thread in the misc. section
The idea is yours, i was just part of what you used to make your idea a reality, glad i could be of help.
Very cool (or very warm) NorCal Dog.
HERE'S A BETTER LINK to your post #111
How to link directly to a specific post:
I navigated to the your post #111, actually on page 6. Then CLICKED ON THE POST NUMBER "111" at upper right of your post. That shifts focus to that particular post. A-Ha! Then I copied the URL from my browser's URL text box (at top of browser window) and pasted it into my post (but first select the text you want to appear as the link, and then use the Insert Link tool to attach the URL address to the blue linked words). Or maybe nobody cares...
) NorCal Dog.HERE'S A BETTER LINK to your post #111
How to link directly to a specific post:
I navigated to the your post #111, actually on page 6. Then CLICKED ON THE POST NUMBER "111" at upper right of your post. That shifts focus to that particular post. A-Ha! Then I copied the URL from my browser's URL text box (at top of browser window) and pasted it into my post (but first select the text you want to appear as the link, and then use the Insert Link tool to attach the URL address to the blue linked words). Or maybe nobody cares...
I bookmarked your new Sticky thread and hope to find time to read it top-to-bottom tonight.glad i could be of help.
Refuse to touch my bass again until I do...
+ N
T
I quit racing off road motorcycles and started playing the bass 5 years ago because I thought it was a lot easier and more relaxing on the wrist action.
I practice my bass alot too and never even notice any discomfort or numbness in my hand(s)
Good advice on the stretching exercises though. I always warm up slow and it does take me 20 minutes to get my fingers up to speed.
2c
I practice my bass alot too and never even notice any discomfort or numbness in my hand(s)
Good advice on the stretching exercises though. I always warm up slow and it does take me 20 minutes to get my fingers up to speed.
2c
