Right Hand Pain (with pictures, for once)

[Conner Fleming]

Hey there. I have been playing for bass for the best part of 2 years, now, and without lessons, I like to think my progress has been going pretty well. I have always played finger-style, and I next-to-never play with a pick, or slap: it's just not me, and I don't like the sound (or rarely I do, should I say). I have been playing no problem for the past 2 years: however, I left for holiday for 3 weeks, about a month ago, and when I came back, I naturally started playing bass again. The usual complaints, muscle needing built back up, blisters on the fingers developing to hard skin, nothing out of the ordinary.

However, about a week, I started experiencing a sort of pain in my wrist, near the outside of the hand. I start to feel this not long after I start playing, possibly 30 seconds or so into a song, maybe earlier if the notes are fast and repetitive, even more so when playing octaves. Here's a diagram of where the pain is:

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If you have your right hand stretched in front of you, feel around the wrist area, and to both the left and the right sides, you should feel two large humps. The pain is directly left of the right hump, as in the small dip.


I haven't had lessons at all, so I'm not entirely sure if my positioning has been correct, but here's a video of my playing so you can see for yourself. I generally play high, because I find it easier to work my left hand over the strings.



I know it would be best to go see a doctor (which I intend to do). However, I thought it would be good to get a little insight from more seasoned players such as yourselves first, then consult a doctor with the knowledge I've gained.

Thanks for any help,
Conner.

 

[Conner Fleming]

PS: I know that there are other threads dealing with right hand and wrist problems, but I haven't quite found one that's quite so suitable for my problem. Keeping my hopes up, however.

 

[tangentmusic]

Conner, Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me.
Where you indicated the pain is right on the carpals.
What else do you do that may contribute to the pain?
Lots of computer keyboard usage?
Sports activities that involve using that wrist alot? (tennis, ect..)
Or is it only when you play bass?
They say regular motions of the wrist can cause it.
If it is very painful and stays with you for a long time, have a doctor take a look.
It may be an instance where with MORE bass playing activity, It may go away

 

[paganjack]

A few suggestions:
-Play with a wrist brace, or
-tape your wrist with athletic tape to help you keep your wrist straight.
-Go through a wrist stretching routine prior to playing.
-Play lower so that you can keep your wrist straight.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't play with your wrist bent. When you have your wrist bent and use a lot of finger muscles (bass playing) it puts undue strain on them and this can lead to discomfort. The only times that I experience the pain you describe it's because I have been playing/typing/whatever with bent wrists.

 

[Conner Fleming]

Conner, Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me.
Where you indicated the pain is right on the carpals.
What else do you do that may contribute to the pain?
Lots of computer keyboard usage?
Sports activities that involve using that wrist alot? (tennis, ect..)
Or is it only when you play bass?
They say regular motions of the wrist can cause it.
If it is very painful and stays with you for a long time, have a doctor take a look.
It may be an instance where with MORE bass playing activity, It may go away

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I do use the computer quite a lot, and I do admit, I don't have the greatest posture when I'm using the computer. I also work in a store as a cashier, when there's constant flicking of the wrist (opening tills, arranging money, etc.)
I haven't experienced the pain outwith playing bass. Generally, I only feel it when I playing repeated notes, or sections where there is constant use of the index and middle fingers.

 

[OPBASSMAN1994]

From personal experience, it may be technique. I've been playing for 3 by now [I already can play almost all of Rush's catalouge (I'm such a nerd)], and I've made some remarkable progress. However, I was playing for the better part of 2 years with really BAD technique.

1. Do NOT anchor your thumb on the Pickup. It will stretch your wrist way too much, cutting of circulation, tensing muscles, and limiting your fingers' mobility.

2. Always keep your arm UP! draping it back over the body of the best will make you bend your wrist, and will add circulation cut off of the arm to the evil equation of the wrist bend.

3. DO anchor on the string above the string you're playing, it increases speed and reduces tension.

4. Don't be afraid to move your arm.



If you can correct any faults in your technique, and rest for about a week to two weeks with plenty of Ice, you should leave the pain behind and be back and better than ever.

 

[OPBASSMAN1994]

God bless and I hope you can get back playing soon!

 

[Nic.]

I've had a similar problem, plus numbness in that part and on the same side of my forearm. When I went to a nerve specialist, he did some tests and told me it's probably not CTS, it appeared to be a nerve in my elbow getting strained from a combination of my bass playing and my DIY work. You better go see a specialist and get his professional opinion, though...

As for the suggestions,

1) I used a wrist brace for some time but I found it actually made it more painful somehow.

2) OPBASSMAN1994 has quite good points. Been doing 1 and 3 already, but after relaxing my thumb more it helped to relieve pain (was quite stiff previously). I worked on 2 after the problem appeared and it helped quite a bit.

 

[Conner Fleming]

I really didn't expect such speedy responses - thank you all!

As I expected and as you suggested, it's most probably just been my technique. I'll try to play with a more straight wrist from now on, and I shall see a doctor later this week.

The only thing that confuses me is how I was able to play fine for so long, then only start experiencing this a week ago. Would the condition have come on gradually? Or have I suddenly changed something to bring this about?

 

[tangentmusic]

I really didn't expect such speedy responses - thank you all!

As I expected and as you suggested, it's most probably just been my technique. I'll try to play with a more straight wrist from now on, and I shall see a doctor later this week.

The only thing that confuses me is how I was able to play fine for so long, then only start experiencing this a week ago. Would the condition have come on gradually? Or have I suddenly changed something to bring this about?

Possibly the 3 week holiday caused the wrist to lose its flexibility while you were not playing your bass or any of the other repititious activities.
Good suggestions are given here. try them. Hope it helps

 

[Joel_bass]

I'd have to agree with everyone else that says to keep your wrist straight.

Here's a fun exercise to show one reason why: While keeping your wrists straight hook your 2 index fingers together and pull your arms in opposite directions. Feel how much strength your have. Now try the same thing with your wrists bent, you will not be able to keep your fingers hooked together.

I went through the same thing a couple of years ago when I was on the road. About half way through a gig my wrist would be on fire and I would have to put ice on it between sets (sometimes between songs). After adjusting my technique and not playing so aggressively it went away.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Conner, Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me.
Where you indicated the pain is right on the carpals.
What else do you do that may contribute to the pain?
Lots of computer keyboard usage?
Sports activities that involve using that wrist alot? (tennis, ect..)
Or is it only when you play bass?
They say regular motions of the wrist can cause it.
If it is very painful and stays with you for a long time, have a doctor take a look.
It may be an instance where with MORE bass playing activity, It may go away

How can it be CTS when it show none of the symptoms or characteristics of the condition? CTS starts in the centre of the palm and affects the thumb, index finger and middle finger in any symptom. This is because it is a nerve injury not a muscle one.

Go and see a doctor, he will help give you the correct information you seek.