Playing with tendonitis

[Ric5]

Hi,

I was playing pretty much every day for 4-5 hours a day over the summer and as much as I can now that school has started and have developed mild tendonitis in my thumb (I play primarily slap). I was wondering if you guys had any tips on technique that will still allow me to play while giving my thumb a break so it can heal. Playing bass is really my only hobby, so losing that would really suck!

There are a lot of natural remedies for this … Arnica, boswellia, willow bark, … etc …

But I would encourage you to look at the Plant Paradox book … it has helped me a lot ...

 

[JakobT]

Hi,

I was playing pretty much every day for 4-5 hours a day over the summer and as much as I can now that school has started and have developed mild tendonitis in my thumb (I play primarily slap). I was wondering if you guys had any tips on technique that will still allow me to play while giving my thumb a break so it can heal. Playing bass is really my only hobby, so losing that would really suck!

I’m afraid I have little to offer you by way of advice, but I wanted to thank you for spelling «tendonitis» correctly.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

I’m afraid I have little to offer you by way of advice, but I wanted to thank you for spelling «tendonitis» correctly.

No problem!

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

I'll second this recommendation. I've gone to an even lighter set of custom strings than this: 30/40/65/75. I use a set of "Super Light Gauge" Chromes (40/65/75/90), add a separate high C 30 gauge, eliminate the E string and then tune everything down 5 frets - if you have a neck that can be set up very straight, this works and the Chromes are not excessively floppy.

I started getting sensations that felt like carpal tunnel in the 1990s when I was touring heavily, and dedicated myself to changing my technique to prevent it. I deliberately play with an extremely light touch, turn my amp up, and use a compressor (with pretty light settings) to smooth things out.

I will just finish by saying that while changing your equipment and settings absolutely help, the key to dealing with this is totally in your hands, no pun intended! Change your playing style first and foremost - the changes you make to your gear are just to accommodate that new style and get the sound that you want.

Interesting solution! I've started running everything through my compressor and turning up the amp so that I can play with a lighter touch. It helps with technique, too, I've noticed.

 

[baileyboy]

I thought you joined a band called "Tendonitis ", or your band was opening for them. ....playing with Tendonitis. If that was the case, I'd hope the opening band was "Tinnitus ". Great bill right there.

If it's your slapping thumb that's the issue, stop slapping.

Correct. The first step toward healing any injury is to stop the behavior (assuming you can) that caused it in the first place. This is difficult to do if the injury is work-related, but it appears you have options- use a pick or fingers.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

The rule of thumb to slapping (pun intended) is to keep a loose thumb and a tight wrist. What that means is you shouldn't really be using any thumb muscles/tendons and the action should be a quick flick of the wrist.

 

[Nightman]

The rule of thumb to slapping (pun intended) is to keep a loose thumb and a tight wrist. What that means is you shouldn't really be using any thumb muscles/tendons and the action should be a quick flick of the wrist.

I’ll have to look into this myself!

 

[J Gold]

Surgery. I had it on both wrists because playing became unbearably painful with carpal tunnel syndrome after doing it for 35 years. Now I’m perfect. I have another 35 years left in my wrists.
You can barely see the scars too!

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

Surgery. I had it on both wrists because playing became unbearably painful with carpal tunnel syndrome after doing it for 35 years. Now I’m perfect. I have another 35 years left in my wrists.
You can barely see the scars too!

I certainly hope I won't need surgery this early in my career!

 

[J Gold]

I started noticing the pain in my early 20’s, while playing a lot of upright bass in college. It got to the point that I could
only play electric. And it got progressively worse to the point that after a 4 hour gig I would be in stabbing pain.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

I started noticing the pain in my early 20’s, while playing a lot of upright bass in college. It got to the point that I could
only play electric. And it got progressively worse to the point that after a 4 hour gig I would be in stabbing pain.

Jeez.... Well, I'm glad you've gotten past that!

 

[BASSnSAX]

I've struggled with tendonitis in both of my wrists, and didn't realize how badly I was injuring myself until I started learning to play upright correctly. Then I transferred (and adapted when necessary) these tips over to electric bass.

• One thing you should do is practice in front of a mirror. Really analyze your technique, and look for any sharp angles - like bending your wrist 90 degrees (in toward your palm's direction) when your wrist should be straight with your forearm.
  • For my RH, I was always dropping my right elbow toward the bass's body, making my forearm jut up and out away from the front of my electric, and then I would drop my hand down and back toward my bass (creating a 90 degree angle break for my wrist and carpel tunnel); I need to constantly remind myself to try to get my forearm and wrist parallel with the bass's body.
• Also while practicing in front of the mirror, pay close attention to the height of your bass. If you have your bass too low or too high, this is going to put excess stress on your joints, and force you to move your body in unnatural ways. Experiment by raising up your strap (if your bass is hanging too low) or lowering your strap (if your bass is hanging too high).
• Slowly stretch your arms and hands, without assisting (read: forcing with your other hand!) always before picking up your bass.
• Ibuprofen can help reduce inflamed tendons, but is not a cure nor is it a license to practice harder and/or longer (if you are considering this, you should go see a physician first).

 

[lermgalieu]

If you can't find a way to play without working that thumb AT ALL, put your bass down for a month. Thank me later. I've been there with my forearm.

 

[NathOBX]

Stop slapping it so much

 

[cchorney]

Specifically, you might want to try the "floating thumb" technique, in which your thumb literally doesn't do anything except lay there

So, it's like my wife then?

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

So, it's like my wife then?
View attachment 3182898

 

[Nickweissmusic]

Hi,

I was playing pretty much every day for 4-5 hours a day over the summer and as much as I can now that school has started and have developed mild tendonitis in my thumb (I play primarily slap). I was wondering if you guys had any tips on technique that will still allow me to play while giving my thumb a break so it can heal. Playing bass is really my only hobby, so losing that would really suck!

I’ve dealt with all kinds of physical problems over my 20+ year career, Including tendinitis in my fretting hand thumb here are the best hints i can give:

take frequent breaks, and ice when actively in pain. Ibuprofen and multivitamins to reduce inflammation and speed healing. I play for a living, so I can’t always simply lay off when my tendons or nerves are inflamed.

Get a TENS unit on Amazon, literally the only thing that will at least temporarily take the pain away for me. It also may speed healing, but the science is not conclusive on that. The one I use is the TENS 7000, inexpensive and very powerful.

Practice with purpose; set achievable goals you can reach in 10-20 minutes, and take a break. This makes you more focused and wastes less movement.

Do yoga and other full body activities. So much of bass playing ergonomics relies on balance and large muscle group strength. I credit yoga with being the number one activity that has kept me away from the surgeon’s knife.

Train the opposite side muscles than are normally used when playing. This is generally the back of the forearm and triceps. This is the best back of the hand/forearm exerciser I’ve found: https://smile.amazon.com/ZenStrengt...s=hand+exerciser+grip+strengthener&psc=1&th=1

 

[lermgalieu]

Do yoga and other full body activities. So much of bass playing ergonomics relies on balance and large muscle group strength. I credit yoga with being the number one activity that has kept me away from the surgeon’s knife.

As a fellow yoga devotee (5+ times/week hot power yoga), I agree (wholeheartedly - yoga has helped me in so many ways) but, but, will say this: at one point when I was going to the same yoga class daily with a teacher who didn't change up the routine and did many repetitive sequences, I developed tennis elbow in both arms! So as with anything, use common sense, and I wouldn't suggest starting yoga until the thumb feels better.

 

[StatesideRambler]

I won't address technique, never having learned slapping, but I'll offer this: when your tendonitis flares up 1) stop doing what's causing it and 2) ice your hand either with a soft freezer pack or immersing it in an ice water bath for ten minutes (the way baseball pitchers do). I learned the icing from physical therapists so I'm not playing doctor, here. Give it a chance to heal; don't immediately resume playing.