okcrum
in your chest
On the contrary, the age of the article indicates how long we've known.
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Pre-gig habits to avoid stiffness
- Thread starter Mosfed
- Start date
On the contrary, the age of the article indicates how long we've known.
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I'll take a couple of naproxen sodium and drink good coffee when fingers are a bit stiff...
If it is cool weather, snag some of the cheap chemical & air pocket warmer packets from WalFart.... When it turns hot weather, Wally usually dumps em, so you can stock up cheap... Feels pretty good holding in your hand to warm fingers up....
I am also a percussionist (degreed). I would sometimes run warm water over my hands for a couple of minutes before a performance.... Not good to get fingertips wet before playing a string instrument but you could stick a couple of blue gloves in your pocket to keep em dry...
Another trick I use for tendon pain in my left forearm near wrist might help. I tried it one day just for the pure hell of it. I had some odd boot hunting socks as we will use those for rice socks (fill halfway or so with dry uncooked rice, tie a knot, nuke for a minute or two, instant heat pad).... Anyway, I took a thick hunting boot sock, cut the foot off and slipped the rest covering my forearm with the cuff down at my wrist... Works great. A bit of pressure and keeps my forearm warm... Damn sure helps...
If it is cool weather, snag some of the cheap chemical & air pocket warmer packets from WalFart.... When it turns hot weather, Wally usually dumps em, so you can stock up cheap... Feels pretty good holding in your hand to warm fingers up....
I am also a percussionist (degreed). I would sometimes run warm water over my hands for a couple of minutes before a performance.... Not good to get fingertips wet before playing a string instrument but you could stick a couple of blue gloves in your pocket to keep em dry...
Another trick I use for tendon pain in my left forearm near wrist might help. I tried it one day just for the pure hell of it. I had some odd boot hunting socks as we will use those for rice socks (fill halfway or so with dry uncooked rice, tie a knot, nuke for a minute or two, instant heat pad).... Anyway, I took a thick hunting boot sock, cut the foot off and slipped the rest covering my forearm with the cuff down at my wrist... Works great. A bit of pressure and keeps my forearm warm... Damn sure helps...
On the contrary, the age of the article indicates how long we've known. We haven't repealed Newton's First Law just because it's old, either.
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In that case, I should be dead right now. I've been taking the max daily dose of Ibuprofen for sports injury sustained about a year ago - stubborn but getting better (and I don't react well to stronger anti-inflammatories like naproxen). And I had bloodwork done yesterday and my GFR is way below (or, more accurately, way above) the threshold for Stage 1 CKD.
okcrum
in your chest
That's exactly why. You have a healthy renal system, and you've had its function checked periodically while you've been doing the ibuprofen therapy.
If you take ibuprofen and your kidneys feel like someone's punched them, then you probably shouldn't.
Yes, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can cause kidney problems, liver problems and whole slew of other side effects. Kidney or liver failure are exceedingly rare and associated with very high doses. No need to blow it out of proportion.
About five years ago I developed severe sciatica and badly herniated discs.
I was in constant pain, and could not sit at my desk. For about nine months I either had to kneel on the floor with my knees on a pillow, or stand with my laptop at a podium or elevated surface to get my office work done.
I did not take painkillers but I did have to take anti-inflammatory medication for a while.
What helped the most was physical therapy, which recently has been clinically proven to be more effective than opioids.
During my two year convalescence period, I was giggging quite a bit.
I stated out using super light basses. My Dano dolphin (SC56) was a lifesaver early on.
I did my core exercises daily and went on an anti-inflammatory diet.
Over time I got out of the red zone. The anti inflammatory medicine had to be taken for about 9 mos and then I went off. I never took the muscle relaxants prescribed. I just fought through with as much Excercise as I could.
As a result, during this period I could do the 4 the bar gig with a standard bass. I would usually bring a standard axe and a lightweight for relief. For the most part I could play whatever I wanted. But I couldn't thrash around like I was in my twenties.
So I guess overall no stifness and I managed severe pain without much medicine.
I think it comes down to you as an individual and what works for you. I know guys that down Advil. I don't like how that makes me feel so I will stretch and do a core workout before a gig instead. To each his/her own.
I was in constant pain, and could not sit at my desk. For about nine months I either had to kneel on the floor with my knees on a pillow, or stand with my laptop at a podium or elevated surface to get my office work done.
I did not take painkillers but I did have to take anti-inflammatory medication for a while.
What helped the most was physical therapy, which recently has been clinically proven to be more effective than opioids.
During my two year convalescence period, I was giggging quite a bit.
I stated out using super light basses. My Dano dolphin (SC56) was a lifesaver early on.
I did my core exercises daily and went on an anti-inflammatory diet.
Over time I got out of the red zone. The anti inflammatory medicine had to be taken for about 9 mos and then I went off. I never took the muscle relaxants prescribed. I just fought through with as much Excercise as I could.
As a result, during this period I could do the 4 the bar gig with a standard bass. I would usually bring a standard axe and a lightweight for relief. For the most part I could play whatever I wanted. But I couldn't thrash around like I was in my twenties.
So I guess overall no stifness and I managed severe pain without much medicine.
I think it comes down to you as an individual and what works for you. I know guys that down Advil. I don't like how that makes me feel so I will stretch and do a core workout before a gig instead. To each his/her own.
My problem is just the opposite. I haven't experienced stiffness at a gig in 30 years. What am I doing wrong?
okcrum
in your chest
Not so much liver problems as kidneys. I was surprised when I was playing industrial sports how many weekend warriors were complaining about kidney pain who were merely chronic users during the season. It's also possible these people were using higher doses than recommended.
Given the original doubt there was any connection, I don't think pointing one out is blowing it out of proportion.
I don't disagree with the outcomes, observations from 1990 nor the Mayo's current recommendations, but the balance of evidence certainly didn't stop Dr. Whelton (PI referenced in the NYT article linked above) making a career of accessing NSF funds to investigate links between NSAIDS and renal failure. Not everyone gets it right the first time like Newton did!
okcrum
in your chest
I was trying to be funny w/o snarky but gave up there.
Fair enough...I was trying to agree with you but couldn't help but be pedantic. Maybe its the meds....
okcrum
in your chest
Industrial sports? Like with jackhammers and forklifts?
You mean the companies you work for don't stock up on semipro rugby and football (soccer) players (as well as former college & minor leaguers) for their baseball and softball teams?
This stuff was serious around Philly.
Hot & spicy foods help too to pick me up... 
Hot enough, the body will start spewing endorphins... Yeuh buddy!
Hot enough, the body will start spewing endorphins... Yeuh buddy!
You mean the companies you work for don't stock up on semipro rugby and football (soccer) players (as well as former college & minor leaguers) for their baseball and softball teams?
This stuff was serious around Philly.
Naw, we just recruit them, give them stripes and uniform, teach them drill and how to shoot. For civvies, we call 'em beer leagues here for the obvious reasons. Rugby and hockey mostly.
okcrum
in your chest
Some of what helps me on the gig is practice, since endurance isn't instant.
Beyond that, stretching before, wearing comfortable shoes, and staying hydrated are the big ones for me. I weighed myself before & after gigs for awhile and I sweat off almost 1 lb. per playing hour, so that last is important.
Beyond that, stretching before, wearing comfortable shoes, and staying hydrated are the big ones for me. I weighed myself before & after gigs for awhile and I sweat off almost 1 lb. per playing hour, so that last is important.
I hear ya.
Stretching, ice packs, wrist ice packs.
Shoulder shrugs 10 -35 times.
Physical therapy can help also.
Stretching, ice packs, wrist ice packs.
Shoulder shrugs 10 -35 times.
Physical therapy can help also.
How long are you playing straight on a gig? I think anybody should be able to play three hours without any hand, wrist or finger pain. If I cannot play five hours straight on an instrument without pain I sell it.
If you can't go that long it is likely that either:
a) the bass you are playing is not well suited for you. (But, sometimes you have to rock a p-bass. I get it.)
B) you have picked up some bad playing habits.
If you can't go that long it is likely that either:
a) the bass you are playing is not well suited for you. (But, sometimes you have to rock a p-bass. I get it.)
B) you have picked up some bad playing habits.
Well you're definitely on to something with staying hydrated. Lots of water/coconut water
My suggestion would be a take a look at your posture. A lot of problems with your hands start with your posture. I've had all kinds of issues with my shoulders/hands/wrists/etc. It started because of bad posture while practicing and playing live.
Take some time practicing in the mirror and see if there's anything unnatural you're doing with your shoulders while playing. Lots of people don't realize it because they're in the zone playing/practicing but they're putting their bodies in weird positions.
I would also recommend making sure that you are not bending your wrist while playing. Check out this video from Gary Willis where he explains some of this type of stuff. The wrist/hand info starts at 2:00. The rest of the lesson is pretty sweet too!
My suggestion would be a take a look at your posture. A lot of problems with your hands start with your posture. I've had all kinds of issues with my shoulders/hands/wrists/etc. It started because of bad posture while practicing and playing live.
Take some time practicing in the mirror and see if there's anything unnatural you're doing with your shoulders while playing. Lots of people don't realize it because they're in the zone playing/practicing but they're putting their bodies in weird positions.
I would also recommend making sure that you are not bending your wrist while playing. Check out this video from Gary Willis where he explains some of this type of stuff. The wrist/hand info starts at 2:00. The rest of the lesson is pretty sweet too!
