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Health Related Issues To Playing
- Thread starter Fergie Fulton
- Start date
Sorry to hear you are suffering issues.
One of the ways to practice is focus on what you want to achieve.
In many cases students over play, by over practice….this now becomes a repetitive strain injury (RSI)
10mins a day is good enough to develop physical skills, but when learning, the fun of playing takes over, and that is the thing……we play for fun and as such with anything we do for fun we can over do it.
Reality is most amateur players work all day, so come home at night and practice/play with tired hands.
So in these situations the muscles are tired before extra demand is asked of them.
Simply changing a practice routine to morning when we wake up, rather than evening will benefit the muscles and learning….so if time in the evening for anyone is an issue, get out of bed 30mins earlier and practice with fresh hands….it is better to have 10mins in the morning than hours and hours into the night.
One of the ways to practice is focus on what you want to achieve.
In many cases students over play, by over practice….this now becomes a repetitive strain injury (RSI)
10mins a day is good enough to develop physical skills, but when learning, the fun of playing takes over, and that is the thing……we play for fun and as such with anything we do for fun we can over do it.
Reality is most amateur players work all day, so come home at night and practice/play with tired hands.
So in these situations the muscles are tired before extra demand is asked of them.
Simply changing a practice routine to morning when we wake up, rather than evening will benefit the muscles and learning….so if time in the evening for anyone is an issue, get out of bed 30mins earlier and practice with fresh hands….it is better to have 10mins in the morning than hours and hours into the night.
It's frightening really - out of the blue , woke up the next day and no power at all from the wrist to the last three digits ... I hope i'm lucky enough to heal it but right now and for the last fortnight or so it really feels like something permanent has happened here - grip is gone -makes one feel very vulnerable psychologically too, tbh
No affiliation with this vendor or the product, other than I've found it helpful when my wrists, fingers, or forearms feel cranky. When you spin up the gyro speed it'll work the muscles--but if you keep the rotation down around 3 K or so, it can soothe the moving parts.
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As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
For me, sodium has become an enemy. Cut back on my sugar, but i crave salt. Its a work in progress; garbage in, garbage out. I feel like if i can resist everything that appeals to my unsupervised dietary consumption and get some exercise, i can deal with my arthritic reality better rather than throw grass on a fire that im continually stoking with bad habits. Ive been poking it in its proverbial eye. That being said, i got measurable relief from meloxicam. Been off it for better than two months, and i still walk up and down steps like a crab, but at least it doesn't hurt anymore.
Yes I have been there myself, was involved as a passenger in an RTA while on tour that resulted in me breaking my neck and suffered paralysis in my upper right body so my arm and hand would not move.
This was nerve damage and it healed over time, but never perfect, so I lost a bit of my 'playing ceiling', and by that I mean I have to work a bit harder to play 100%. Before the accident I used about 10% of my playing skills to play the bands set, after the accident it is now about 30% to play the same set, but there is no noticeable difference because the songs are played 100%, I just have to work a bit harder.
In the weeks and months after the accident it was all mental, I ran every scenario under the sun as to outcomes, after all I was just lying there with nothing to do but think.
My advice is get it checked out and do not over think it, the stress of doing that adds to the issue.
Look to get stronger and better, rather than better fast…time is the healer and take more time because playing your instrument will always be an option.
If you ever want to talk, PM me
I've got a weird one.
39 years ago I had a job working the deli counter in an upscale grocery store.
One of our tasks was dishes.
As I was cleaning the salmon knife (very long, razor sharp) I sliced deeply diagonal on the pad of my first finger almost down to the bone.
Lately the scar gets exacerbated by glissandos mostly on the B string.
Gigged Friday night it's still pretty tender.
But halfway through the gig it was agonizing! I played half the gig with fingers 2, 3, and 4.
Might look for some kinda condom thingy going forward. Aren't there things for tailors that cover the 1st fingertip?
39 years ago I had a job working the deli counter in an upscale grocery store.
One of our tasks was dishes.
As I was cleaning the salmon knife (very long, razor sharp) I sliced deeply diagonal on the pad of my first finger almost down to the bone.
Lately the scar gets exacerbated by glissandos mostly on the B string.
Gigged Friday night it's still pretty tender.
But halfway through the gig it was agonizing! I played half the gig with fingers 2, 3, and 4.
Might look for some kinda condom thingy going forward. Aren't there things for tailors that cover the 1st fingertip?
Although It wasn't related to playing, I had bad arthritis in my thumb that made it almost impossible to play. I had surgery last year where they removed a bone and put a cable in called a "mini tightrope", took 6 to 8 months to heal but now I have no pain whatsoever! It's amazing how much of a difference it made and how much better it is!
Attachments
I started my own thread about my issues, but I'll share it here too...
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I've been playing for over 45 years. I started out using a pick, and then in later years played almost exclusively plucking with my fingers (with only occasional pick use).
Well, I took a hiatus for a few years, and then managed to injure myself and developed some arthritis in my plucking hand and tendinitis in my elbow that led to tingling and numbness in my hand/fingers (similar to carpal tunnel, but it's not that). It's really more a combination of a pinched nerve in my neck, a separated collar bone (that is now healed) and the tendonitis in my elbow that makes playing with my fingers difficult. I've been getting therapy for a while, but I've been limited to playing like Jamerson and using only my index finger. That works for most music I play but not anything more complex or fast.
So I've been trying to (re)learn playing with a pick. But not just any pick. I need a thumbpick or I'll keep dropping it. The only ones that work for me are the Black Mountain thumbpicks. They are spring loaded and stay on my thumb even without gripping it tightly, so I can keep a very relaxed grip while playing. With some bass lines I don't have to grip the pick at all and play exclusively with my thumb. Excellent picks!
Not only am I getting better at using a pick, I've noticed that playing with a pick is actually lessening the tingling, pain and numbness in my hand/fingers!!! I practiced for a long time last night and by the time I stopped there was no tingling pain or numbness at all. None! I woke up today and it's the best my elbow/wrist/hand has felt in a very long time! The motion and technique of using a pick must be loosening up my muscles and tendons in my elbow.
Playing with a pick is actually becoming more like physical therapy for me.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I've been playing for over 45 years. I started out using a pick, and then in later years played almost exclusively plucking with my fingers (with only occasional pick use).
Well, I took a hiatus for a few years, and then managed to injure myself and developed some arthritis in my plucking hand and tendinitis in my elbow that led to tingling and numbness in my hand/fingers (similar to carpal tunnel, but it's not that). It's really more a combination of a pinched nerve in my neck, a separated collar bone (that is now healed) and the tendonitis in my elbow that makes playing with my fingers difficult. I've been getting therapy for a while, but I've been limited to playing like Jamerson and using only my index finger. That works for most music I play but not anything more complex or fast.
So I've been trying to (re)learn playing with a pick. But not just any pick. I need a thumbpick or I'll keep dropping it. The only ones that work for me are the Black Mountain thumbpicks. They are spring loaded and stay on my thumb even without gripping it tightly, so I can keep a very relaxed grip while playing. With some bass lines I don't have to grip the pick at all and play exclusively with my thumb. Excellent picks!
Not only am I getting better at using a pick, I've noticed that playing with a pick is actually lessening the tingling, pain and numbness in my hand/fingers!!! I practiced for a long time last night and by the time I stopped there was no tingling pain or numbness at all. None! I woke up today and it's the best my elbow/wrist/hand has felt in a very long time! The motion and technique of using a pick must be loosening up my muscles and tendons in my elbow.
Playing with a pick is actually becoming more like physical therapy for me.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Yes I had that procedure on my left thumb December of 2024. The prognosis was a 12 month recovery period. So I'm about a month shy of the anniversary. I was able to finger the bass within 3 weeks of the surgery. briefly in middle of the finger board. The problem was swelling limited the ability to rotate my wrist.
In six weeks I could play for about two hours playing long with recordings on my past gigs, but still fingering in the first position as well about the 12TH fret was limited.
4 months I was able to play a full gig including hauling my gear.
Ok now the bad news. The joint is relatively pain free. This is a slight strength deficit, bit the joint itself is fine. However, that bone that was removed was there for a reason, and the rest of the bones have to work harder and occasionally there is some discomfort as the alignment shifts somewhat. There were times where the rest of the hand hurt worse than joint.
The other things I've found is you have to relearn getting your thumb to the right spot, and for a while fingering might be a bit of an issue as the bones alignment changes. Also expect periods of stiffness.
Finally PT. Do it!!! If you don't take this seriously, you will screw up hand for good. I can't be clearer on this subject. We bassists have a leg up on this because are hands are usually in good physical condition. That said, it twice a day and don't miss and session if I were you.two things that are going to be key for your recovery, One is the modeling clay exercises to build up strength. The other is wound care to prevent excessive scarring of which if you don't comply may greatly restrict the motion of your thumb.
One last thing, this is going to hurt so you are going to be uncomfortable for a while. Avoid using as many of the narcotic pain pills if you can. Unless you have an extremely high pain tolerance, you going to need pain meds well in place before the nerve block wears off. Trust me on this. I waited until after the nerve block to wear off. Big mistake and I do have a very high pain tolerance.
Best wishes.
Tough hearing about a lot of these issues, but inspiring to read the successful adaptation and healing stories.
I had a few issues from old military injuries to my neck, nerve pain and numbness in my hands over the last few years. Those seem to be all gone after having a cervical fusion procedure last year that took the pressure off of the nerves . My right hand felt better as soon as I woke up!
That's my success story.
Now, I had a little accident. Severed the extensor tendon to my left thumb.
They aren't sure if they can repair it or not. The decision will be made in the operating room. If they can't fix it they will do an EIP to EPL transfer. Basically one of the tendons used to extend my index finger will be transferred to my thumb.
I demonstrated the motions and stretch my hand needs to do, and they said it wouldn't be a problem, but it would likely be a few months.
Anyone here have any experience with this? Suggestions for PT/ recovery?
I had a few issues from old military injuries to my neck, nerve pain and numbness in my hands over the last few years. Those seem to be all gone after having a cervical fusion procedure last year that took the pressure off of the nerves . My right hand felt better as soon as I woke up!
That's my success story.
Now, I had a little accident. Severed the extensor tendon to my left thumb.
They aren't sure if they can repair it or not. The decision will be made in the operating room. If they can't fix it they will do an EIP to EPL transfer. Basically one of the tendons used to extend my index finger will be transferred to my thumb.
I demonstrated the motions and stretch my hand needs to do, and they said it wouldn't be a problem, but it would likely be a few months.
Anyone here have any experience with this? Suggestions for PT/ recovery?
Advice on trigger finger (especially recovery time and effects of string gauge) please 
I'm suffering a bit with this on my plucking middle finger. (All other fingers seem fine luckily). I was diagnosed by a physio and given a load of exercises etc and I've been doing them a month, massively reduced my plucking by switching to a pick for nearly all my set (only a few songs really really need fingerstyle and I've only played them at a few rehearsals and one gig - I've actively avoided fingerstyle)
So that's the background. It's getting a bit better but still feels pretty seized up in the mornings.
Am I being too hopeful for a speedy return to fingerstyle (which I often prefer)?
To prevent recurrence, would anyone be able to report if switching to a lighter gauge string set might help?
I played for hours on end for a decade with no problems as a youngster. I've had 15-20 years off until last summer and picked it up again and probably recently overplayed (having joined a band and had a 2hr set to learn!)
I'm sure I used to play this much as a youngster but I used to play with a 95-40 set. My new bass came with a 100-45 set of strings.
Could this have helped trigger my trigger finger?
Should I go back to 95-40? (I quite like the feel of the 100-40s under a pick though…)
I'm suffering a bit with this on my plucking middle finger. (All other fingers seem fine luckily). I was diagnosed by a physio and given a load of exercises etc and I've been doing them a month, massively reduced my plucking by switching to a pick for nearly all my set (only a few songs really really need fingerstyle and I've only played them at a few rehearsals and one gig - I've actively avoided fingerstyle)
So that's the background. It's getting a bit better but still feels pretty seized up in the mornings.
Am I being too hopeful for a speedy return to fingerstyle (which I often prefer)?
To prevent recurrence, would anyone be able to report if switching to a lighter gauge string set might help?
I played for hours on end for a decade with no problems as a youngster. I've had 15-20 years off until last summer and picked it up again and probably recently overplayed (having joined a band and had a 2hr set to learn!)
I'm sure I used to play this much as a youngster but I used to play with a 95-40 set. My new bass came with a 100-45 set of strings.
Could this have helped trigger my trigger finger?
Should I go back to 95-40? (I quite like the feel of the 100-40s under a pick though…)
