Pain in the Index Finger

[Tehfatzor]

Hey all! I'm new here and this is my first post. Yay! So I guess I'll cut to the chase.

I'm having pain in the index finger of my right hand, my plucking hand. The pain centers around my second knuckle (the one after the one connecting my finger to my hand - yeah, overly complicated explanation lol), and the finger is slightly swollen. Here's how this began:

Last night I got together with my cover band and we started learning the song "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. If you know the song, you know that the bassline is really fast and repetitive on the right hand. And thus, it completely brutalized that finger (and of course I had to just play through the pain and deal with the consequences later).

So I'm asking for any advice that anyone might have on this situation. I've gotta find a solution to this 'cause my bass playing's getting pretty serious and I'm going to do a LOT of playing this year. Do I need to simply practice right hand exercises more, and strengthen the finger? Is there a stretch that I can do? Or do I need to start icing my hand or something? The swelling and stiffness has me pretty concerned.

I appreciate any help greatly. Thanks everyone!

P.S. -This is the first bass forum I've ever signed up for. I'm excited to see what I can gain from being here. I'm excited to see what I can bring to teh table too of course

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Firstly you have to think how the injury occurred, so think if you can remember knocking it or hurting it, so think careful, even the smallest of knocks could have been the catalyst.

If not, then we have to assume its a strain on the joint, so ice to reduce the swelling, put the ice in a cloth and apply for a few minutes, remove, re-apply, remove. take care not to over ice the finger. Put on a small splint to immobilize it, this is simple, make a small tube out of some cardboard, tape or bandage it up around the finger. Make it so it is snug, but not to tight as you need to be able to slip it off and on when required, as in washing or icing up. It is to support the finger but stop the joint from bending. Then take some Ibuprofen to reduce the swelling. If possible keep the hand elevated above your heart, so touch your shoulder So it is ice, imobilise, and rest.

In first aid there is a treatment called R.I.C.E. which is the acronyms to remember if you get a sports injury... RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Using these immediate first aid measures is believed to relieve pain, limit swelling and protect the injured soft tissue. You are using this as the split will act as the compression part.

This should feel better in a few days so stop the Ibuprofen after a day or two and switch to rubbing in an Arnica cream. use the splint to help rest it and all should be well in a couple of weeks. If there is no improvement go and see a medical professional.
On this forum there is plenty advice about stretches and warm ups, both are advised to do before and after playing so have a search.

 

[Stumbo]

...of course I had to just play through the pain....

No you don't.

There's no code that make you "play through the pain".

I would have just put off the tune and practiced on my own until enough strength is built up or I figured out a technique so I wouldn't hurt myself playing a song.

Would playing with a pick help?

I mean, what's going to change between the time you recover and you play the song again?

Will you get hurt again?

 

[Chris K]

No you don't.

There's no code that make you "play through the pain".

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If there's anything at all to keep in mind

Good advice by Fergie as well.

Technically speaking you might experiment with lightening your touch and playing with your fingers a little more straight. This will transfer some of the energy of hitting the strings to the third knuckle.
When gigging/rehearsing, make sure you're loud enough; don't try to reach sufficient volume by plucking hard (but do protect your ears )

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[Tehfatzor]

Thanks for your responses everybody. Fergie, I followed your advice and the swelling and pain has mostly subsided.

I know there's no code stating that I have to play through the pain, that was just my choice at the time. I don't wanna have to do that again though, which is why I came here.

Chris- The link you provided is exactly what I've been searching for! Thanks so much, I can't wait to read everything you have to say