Right hand going numb.

[HolmeBass]

I got treatment from osteopath (a kind of doctor/chiropractor hybrid) for tendinitis with some nerve impingement. He tried cortisone shots on my elbow, didn't last. What finally resolved the issue was very long and slow warm-ups before playing, ice on the elbow and down my forearm after playing, and every two weeks I'd visit him and he would simply manipulate my forearm tendons and muscles - like a task-specific extremely deep tissue massage. I'd definitely have to ice my arm after the massages! It took about 8 months, but now I play mostly pain free. If I start to experience some symptoms again - numbness, soreness, tightness, or pain when gripping things - I go back to icing after playing or just before going to bed. Usually a couple nights of that nips it in the bud now. I can't recommend an osteopath enough, he took a very holistic approach from both alternative and "normal" drug-and-surgery based medicine, plus he had the healing touch. I also changed my work setup (day job on computers) and that helped too.

 

[rickdog]

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?

I'm surprised no one has suggested this yet - have you consulted a chiropractor? Sometimes the relevant nerves are getting pinched right at the spine. Your association of trouble with a "hard day with a shovel" could be right on, and your problem might have nothing to do with your bass technique. You've just tweaked your spine with hard physical labor.

I fortunately haven't had any problems like this myself, but a guitarist I play with a lot did a few years ago. He took my advice to see a chiropractor, which solved the problem for him.

Whatever you think about some of the farther-out claims about chiropractic medicine, those guys know spines and nerves.

 

[gitlvr]

I had these problems playing acoustic guitar, except mine went from numbness to numbness with pain and swelling of the hands( it's a very strange feeling to not be able to feel anything with your hands, and yet be in intense pain at the same time). I had to stop playing acoustic, because part of the problem was the deep body and wide lower bout of the guitar. I still have problems with this, even with the electric guitar or bass, but not near as bad as with an acoustic.
I know what my problem is. I have nerve damage from diabetes that went unknown and untreated for years, as well as carpel tunnel, and impact damage from martial arts training. However, I'm on a fixed income and absolutely cannot afford treatment. I barely get by treating my diabetes.
What I do is listen closely to my body, and do things according to how I feel at the moment. And I don'y play acoustic anymore.
If you can somehow afford it, though, I'd definately recommend seeing a specialist. What you describe definately sounds nerve related. If so, it will only get worse. You may find yourself with chronic pain (where I'm at) or lose the use of your hands. Do not play around with this. MHO.

 

[garmenteros]

I echo everyone's comments and recommend seeing a specialist.

I had a serious knife wound to my hand (cooking accident) that punctured and split the nerves and tissues in my left thumb. It was bleeding a lot and all I thought I needed was to be sown back up again. I went to a nearby hospital and had about 8 stitches. They missed the nerve damage and ruptured veins. About a week later my hand was still numb to the point I could grab a match or lighter and not feel a thing. It was feeling heavy and was starting to blacken. I went to see a specialist and the following day had emergency surgery to repair my left thumb and drain a terrible infection in my hand. It could have cost me my hand. I still have limited feel (but not limited mobility... thank you GOD) and numbness in my left hand.

The moral of the story is... Do whatever you can and see a specialist....

 

[Funkfaker]

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.

Any updates, baddarryl?

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I have carpal Tunnel in both wrists, tendinitis and a trapped ulnar. It really has been cramping my style (so to speak) playing bass especially since i play in a Who Tribute and have to emulate John Entwistle. I am an engineer on the computer all day and that is what has really caused the problem in my and the doctor's opinions.
I use a anti inflammatory gel called Voltaren that really seems to help. That coupled with cortisone shots in the primary tendon have really helped. Don't delay going to the doc, you can permanently lose the nerves if you let it go too long.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Any more news or change in the condition?

Coming to this late the advice to see a doctor is no.1 priority.
You have to tell your doctor what you want and ask him for
referral to another, a specialist, if the condition worries or bothers you that much.

2/ Complete rest of the hands.
The choice here is simple, whether self employed, no insurance or whatever, you either rest the hands by choice or the condition worsens and stops you. Its a hard choice but ultimately the end result is the same for its effects on your life, but you resting by choice is best option as usually when a condition stops you it is to late....damage done or not reversible.

That's why in 1/ i said if the condition bothers you. Some can justify strange behaviour for the sake of continuing to play that is a detriment to their health.

You can reduce your hand use, stop individual things and see if by eliminating certain things the condition changes or reduces the stress your hands get when you have to use them. So bass playing is out, gaming, typing, sport etc. all things that are not work related can stop since stopping work may not be an option.

None of what's going on is easy and anyone with any problems should address them rather than justify a way to ignore them or put off seeking treatment. The general rule with hand injuries is over use and miss-use. The body is a great thing and with illness or injury it give you the chance to stop and rest before it decides to do it for you.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

I had problems similar to you. Tests revealed slight carpal tunnel syndrome. The MD suggested lowering the bass in small increments to see if it made a difference. A little more than 1 1/2" did the trick. Although the symptoms are not completely gone, they are very mild in comparison to how they were before.

 

[BuffaloBass]

After a while, the problem went away. So far, so good. But I worry that it will return at some point.

Guys, You should consider something like powerwalking ( taught to me as a "forced march pace" ) , where you swing your arms in a full range of motion; it will fill your fingers with blood for 20-30 minutes a day ( or as long as your care to) and help all these issues. Your fingers will tingle in a GOOD way!

YMMV. I am no doc, just trying to keep this old carcass running well for 30 more yrs.

 

[Koog]

I had this problem when playing basses that didn't have a forearm cut. My wrist or lower forearm was always resting against the hard squared off edge of the bass side of the lower bout. This cut off the circulation to my hand, which caused, of course, numbness and ultimately more fatigue when playing.

I first switched back to my vintage Precision and problem solved. I've since retired the Precision again, but make sure what I'm playing has a forearm cut or well rounded edges. Goodbye G&L ASATs (wonderful basses) and Gibson Thunderbirds.

My main show basses are Music Man Sting Rays and Drake Customs. If you want to see the Drakes, visit Invalid Link Removed . Google Music Man and you can look at Sting Rays.

A good exercise and massage program also helps.

Koog

 

[GroovyBaby]

I had some issues with my right hand going numb occasionally both while playing bass and not (I am right handed). However, it was clearly exacerbated by playing. I met a physical therapist and described the problem. He looked my over and noticed that my left shoulder (where my bass sits) was high. Also, my right shoulder had rotated forward and my neck and head had shifted to the left. Basically, my posture was adapting toward what I do when I play. The result was pinching nerves in the neck/shoulder of my right arm which would surface in my hand and occasionally in my right arm. I went to a physical therapist for a bit who gave me some exercises to do. I also consciously worked on shifting my head back to the right and keeping my shoulders more even and keeping my shoulders rolled slightly back (chest open) while playing. The result is that the problems have completely gone away. I teach and practice Tai Chi so I'm sure the body mechanic awareness of was part of what helped me realign myself (literally). So, consider that perhaps you, like me, don't have your head on straight. I also spent a good bit of time finding a well balanced bass that seemed to really fit me ergonomically. The Jazz bass for me is just right. It is possible that a physical therapist, as well as a yoga class or a Tai Chi class long-term could help. Sure wouldn't hurt!
Not that anyone on TB lives around me but here is my Tai Chi website (shameless plug): http://huntingdontaichi.com/
Hope that helps!