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Double Bass How have you overcome elbow pain?

PaperbackRyder

PaperbackRyder

Supporting Member
Apr 21, 2007
920
1,069
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Maynard, MA
#1
Seems to be Tennis Elbow. Pain on the outer side of the forearm, from squeezing the neck too hard. I have learned much from Chris Fitzgerald's videos, but it may be too little too late. Am taking tylenol, applying ice and wearing a strap to practice, but can only get about 15 minutes in before the pain gets severe. I would like to avoid laying off for two months, so if any of you have overcome this, please share.
=JR=
 
#3
I have a recurring "golfer's elbow" condition that originally came from helping a family member move and carrying half of a couch at an awkward angle. When it first happened and was really bad, I was able to mitigate the effect by wearing a simple brace for few weeks, and then continuing to wear it when i played for a few months. This video does a good job of explaining what's going on with both Tennis and Golfer elbow conditions and how the brace can help some (but not all) people. Good luck!
 
#12
I had a problem with my right elbow after moving some heavy objects. I tried wearing a brace, and that seemed to help a little bit, but it lingered for months and wouldn't go away.

I finally saw an orthopedist. He gave me a cortisone injection. The pain was gone within 24 hours.

He also gave me some stretching and exercises to do. I try to keep doing these regularly. If I miss several days in a row, sometimes I'll feel a slight twinge.
 
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#14
All good stuff here, thanks all. I watched the video listed by Chris F. I am trying massage, cold/hot, anti-inflamatories and a strap brace. Also ordered a Gamut D&G. All this was working for a short while, but no longer.
Going to see a homeopath for other things and may try acupuncture while I'm there. After seeing the video, its probly best to see an Orthopedic Doc. Will also take my bass for a full setup to keep me away from her.
 
#15
PaperbackRyder said:
All good stuff here, thanks all. I watched the video listed by Chris F. I am trying massage, cold/hot, anti-inflamatories and a strap brace. Also ordered a Gamut D&G. All this was working for a short while, but no longer.
Going to see a homeopath for other things and may try acupuncture while I'm there. After seeing the video, its probly best to see an Orthopedic Doc. Will also take my bass for a full setup to keep me away from her.
Click to expand...

I would not recommend a homeopath and I would advise you do some research on homeopathy before you do.
 
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#17
Makes me wonder... I experienced a tinge of tennis elbow tonight. My setup has been tougher on the left hand and I'm gripping harder. Certainly I noticed the first thing is that my muscles are tighter (needs to be stretched) but also it went away for me the moment I started getting some proper distance between my shoulder and the neck - in a way that the elbow is not bent at an angle. Trying for more of a "C" shape alleviated the problem pretty much altogether.

I'd take a look at your posture, stance, and how you're holding the instrument. Your arms are strongest when they're not so close to your torso. Even if that doesn't solve the problem, better form never hurt anybody.
 
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#18
I had both tennis ,and golfers elbow, in both elbows, for about 4 years.
It was brutal. But with rest, stretching, physiotherapy, light icing, and heat, it finally went away about 95%.
It will still act up once in awhile... but not like at it's worst.
I never want that again.
Mine was triggered from production welding.

funny thing.. it didn't hurt to play electric bass, and I feel playing helped with my rehab.
 
#19
PaperbackRyder said:
I would like to avoid laying off for two months, so if any of you have overcome this, please share.
Click to expand...

Tennis elbow is very difficult to get rid of. I've had it a few times over the years in both elbows. I've tried icing it, straps, trigger point therapy, pain meds, stretching, exercises... none of it seemed to make any difference except for... time. This means NO playing at all. Any playing will just keep irritating the elbow tendon. Unless someone on TB has any good ideas, I'm afraid you're looking at, give-or-take, 2 months of not playing at all.
 
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#20
^^^yeah Schlyder, mine doesn't hurt playing electric at all. In fact it doesn't hurt playing upright either. But when I stop and straighten the left arm?..whoa, that hurts.
I'm doing 400mg of Ibuprofen 3x day and ice/heat 3x as well. Wearing an arm band much if the time. Very hard to not practice even a little, but like I said, its holding the arm and hand in position that hurts more than stopping notes.
Maybe I should strap on the Fender an do the same excersizes to improve my sight reading. Thaen when the elbow feels better I can concentrate on form rather than reading...?
Or like BB suggests, just lay off. To do that I should take my bass for a setup, and find another outlet for my OCD...that'll cover the time needed!
 
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