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Right hand going numb.

baddarryl

baddarryl

Oct 26, 2008
1,738
1,537
Cape Fear!
#1
Sometimes my right hand will fall asleep when playing finger style. Usually goes numb in my pinky first then moves around to the top of my hand above my thumb. I have struggle with carpal tunnel in the past from the use of power tools, but this feels different.

I do landscaping and notice I have trouble with my hands after a particularly hard day with a shovel. I had one of those days on Thursday and have had problems playing today and yesterday. I am sure it it somewhat related, but is there something I am doing wrong?

My finger style is not fully developed and I worked on it pretty hard last night, woke up with it numb. Started playing tonight and it started going numb in 5 minutes. Now is achy and still a little numb. Can happen both sitting and standing. Would holding my elbow out when I play help? Suggestions? Thanks.
 
#3
baddarryl said:
..... I worked on it pretty hard last night, woke up with it numb.
Click to expand...

Based on previous TB posts I've read, take a break from playing for about a week. See how it feels.

IMO, if you're getting CT from work, it's time to see a doc. If your state has Worker's Compensation or some other worker's protection, time to file a claim. If not, see your own doc and get treatment.

This is serious. Don't wait to get help. It could be permanent.
 
#4
Stumbo said:
Based on previous TB posts I've read, take a break from playing for about a week. See how it feels.

IMO, if you're getting CT from work, it's time to see a doc. If your state has Worker's Compensation or some other worker's protection, time to file a claim. If not, see your own doc and get treatment.

This is serious. Don't wait to get help. It could be permanent.
Click to expand...

Ha, self employed, no insurance!
 
#7
baddarryl said:
Sometimes my right hand will fall asleep when playing finger style. Usually goes numb in my pinky first then moves around to the top of my hand above my thumb. I have struggle with carpal tunnel in the past from the use of power tools, but this feels different.

I do landscaping and notice I have trouble with my hands after a particularly hard day with a shovel. I had one of those days on Thursday and have had problems playing today and yesterday. I am sure it it somewhat related, but is there something I am doing wrong?

My finger style is not fully developed and I worked on it pretty hard last night, woke up with it numb. Started playing tonight and it started going numb in 5 minutes. Now is achy and still a little numb. Can happen both sitting and standing. Would holding my elbow out when I play help? Suggestions? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I was going to ask what your wrist angle is like but obviously you've considered this with holding the arm out, I would recommend straightening your wrist for a nice line in tendon work without the constriction, but all said, go see your Doc, it does sound a little bit like constriction somewhere along the line.
 
#8
I have carpal tunnel problems in both wrists and some nerve impingement (originating in the elbows) in both arms so I have had my share of experience with this. The numbness is definitely a sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed now. I would recommend going to a sports medicine doctor, take your bass, play for him, so that he knows exactly where you are putting pressure. Don't play around with this- you might "get by" for years, but at some point the bell with toll. I am finding that out now- after 40 years of playing.
JS
 
#9
Go to the doc's asap and he should be able to send you to the right specialist. Because it's starting in your pinky it could be a trapped ulnar nerve (within the elbow), as this is the nerve that runs into your pinky and ring finger. Look out for a slight burning sensation in the elbow because if you have that, it'll almost definitely be some sort of nerve entrapment.

Good luck,

Scott.

http://www.scottsbasslessons.com

Link Removed
 
#10
I would definitely stop playing now and see a doctor, unfortunately you may not be able to stop working and this is probably the biggest contributor to your symptoms. I have played bass for about 30 years and about 7years ago I first started experiencing symptoms in both wrists. I had numbness, stiffness, aching thumbs and a shock-like sensation that went right up through my forearm that would cause me to drop anything I was holding.It came to a peak during the third set of a gig when I couldn't feel my left hand anymore and was forced to try and hold my index finger on the root of the chord, which was even painful, just to finish the song. Needless to say I was forced to stop playing immediately and seek the Doctors help. I continued to struggle with the problem for another 1 1/2 years until I had surgery on both wrists. Recovery was a very long and frustrating process and to this day my wrists are still not 100%. My advice to you would be to seek out and understand all proceedures before taking the advice of one Doctor, do your research, but for now try to rest it as much as you can and be really conscious of keeping your wrists in a neutral position for every task that you perform.

Good luck baddarryl!



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#11
Piggyback question:

Everyone is saying to see a doctor to see about nerve impingement, trapped ulnar nerves, and the like. I have been diagnosed with both (left shoulder, right elbow,) and all that I've been able to get from my doctor was a battery of blood tests to make sure it's not rheumatoid, some x-rays to check out if it's osteo, and a referral to an occupational therapist who has given me lots of stretches and exercises to do.

What are your doctors doing for you that's different? I finally managed to yell at him enough to get me a referral to the UW hand specialist, but that referral is still pending insurance approval. (Healthcare. :( )
 
#13
jasonbraatz said:
Piggyback question:

Everyone is saying to see a doctor to see about nerve impingement, trapped ulnar nerves, and the like. I have been diagnosed with both (left shoulder, right elbow,) and all that I've been able to get from my doctor was a battery of blood tests to make sure it's not rheumatoid, some x-rays to check out if it's osteo, and a referral to an occupational therapist who has given me lots of stretches and exercises to do.

What are your doctors doing for you that's different? I finally managed to yell at him enough to get me a referral to the UW hand specialist, but that referral is still pending insurance approval. (Healthcare. :( )
Click to expand...

When people advise someone to "see a doctor", I think they mean a specialist in the problem that the person has. It's more a general term, and it would be up to the person to decide which specialist would be appropriate. It also implies that the person not seek medical advice from a bass forum.
 
#14
I had a somewhat similar experience - in my right hand, constant numbness of my pinky finger, and constant tingling of my index finger.

I took the advice of some here, and immediately stopped playing double bass, mostly stopped playing electric, and went to an orthopedic doctor. He diagnosed compression of the ulnar nerve, and recommended having a small (cutting) operation.

I chose not to let him cut me, laid off bass for about two months, readjusted some things regarding how I sit at my desk, and where I position my elbows (reworked my position so that my elbows were no longer constantly pressing against the desk).

After a while, the problem went away. So far, so good. But I worry that it will return at some point.
 
#15
My plucking hand used to get numb from extended playing. I adjusted my strap so the bass hangs low and the problem went away. I would prefer to "wear" it a bit higher but if I do the numbness returns. Try this, may save a trip to the Doctor.
 
#16
baddarryl said:
Ha, self employed, no insurance!
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Blue Cross is usually pretty cheap. You can try going to the Public Health Clinic in your area since their purpose is to work with those people who don't have a lot of money. I agree with the "see a doctor" advice; however, I understand that without insurance that can be difficult. "See a doctor" is pretty generic and not very helpful. What you want to see a doctor for is a referral to a physical therapist (if the PT says you need one). Unless you are seeing a sports doctor for this, your family practice physician will have limited ideas to help you. The situation will get worse and reach a point where it cannot heal if you don't address the issue. Sounds to me like your CT might be getting aggravated. Those muscles and tendons do need a rest sometimes. If you've had a hard day with a shovel, it could be you need to rest that arm for 24 hours or more.

You could call a physical therapist and see what they have to tell you (if anything). Other options could include accupuncture or massage therapy.

Rest it for a day or two. Putting a cold pack on it can relieve the pain and reduce swelling. If it stops feeling sore but still feels stiff, try a warm pack (hot water bottle, electric heating pad, etc.). Gently strech your wrist and fingers before and after you play. Also, make sure your wrist is as straight and relaxed as possible when you play. Another thing you might consider is playing with a pick for awhle and see if that feels better.

Of course, if you simply take up the harmonica and drop the bass, you won't have to worry about any of this. :smug:
 
#18
fearceol said:
When people advise someone to "see a doctor", I think they mean a specialist in the problem that the person has. It's more a general term, and it would be up to the person to decide which specialist would be appropriate. It also implies that the person not seek medical advice from a bass forum.
Click to expand...

Well, sure. My main question buried in there is to ask what kinds of treatment people are actually getting from whomever they end up seeing.
 
#19
jasonbraatz said:
Well, sure. My main question buried in there is to ask what kinds of treatment people are actually getting from whomever they end up seeing.
Click to expand...
The advice that I gave above the the advice that I gave to troops as a medic in the Army and the same advice that I got from my own doctor whlie treating some injuries that I sustained as a soccer goalie in a men's league.

Above all...TAKE IT EASY...and seek professional medical advice...not professional bassist advice. :D
 

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