Proper technique is to suspend your arm in space and not rest it against the body of the bass.
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Solutions for pain in forearm
- Thread starter EK4001
- Start date
Thanks for all the advice. I like the video of the floating thumb. I’ve been playing bass for 35 years and recently got a new bass and had 4 gigs in a row last week. I’m going to give the floating thumb technique a try. I’ll let y’all know. Thanks for all the replies. I was surprised of how many folks replied. Thanks again.
Notice how Jaco keeps his wrist fairly straight, and rarely rests his forearm on the body. Even when he did, it doesn't look like a lot of pressure was used. Anyways, this is an excellent example of good, sustainable right hand technique.
I really believe he would still be playing today if he wasn't murdered. I also think he would've gotten even better on bass(scary thought huh?), assuming he pulled himself outta his personal problems.
For me, compression sleeves have really helped soreness in both arms when gigging/rehearsing extensively.
As always... YMMV
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As always... YMMV
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I would consider massage therapy. It's more than just a feel-good rubdown.
By all means give the floating thumb a try. I've been using it ever since I first saw that Todd Johnson video. I really like it not just for the muting, but because it keeps my hand relaxed and makes it easier to avoid digging in too hard and instead pluck softly to "let the amp do the work."
Whether you take to the floating thumb -- or instead prefer the "moveable anchor" or anchoring your thumb on a pickup -- the most important thing is that you keep the wrist of your plucking hand as straight as possible. Hold that elbow out so you can maintain a straight line from elbow to fingers. That alone will solve your sore-forearm problem and improve your technique.
....Quote the OP...."...........where my arm makes contact with the upper body..............."Unfortunately, that'd just be the equivalent of popping a couple of pills and expecting it to make everything all better. While it might take a little bit of the edge off the pain, it does nothing to correct the underlying cause...the repetitive stress.
"Chasing symptoms", a phrase I frequently use around my pain-wracked clients, may be fine in the short-term, but the long-term root cause will need to addressed and corrected if they want to do away with the problem for good. Ice, compression, painkillers, and yes, a bit of wrist/forearm protection, are all tools to minimize pain and discomfort, but they're just a series of holding actions if cause of it all isn't dealt with, too.
Also look to see if your left hand and arm position isn't causing the bottom of the bass to pivot out away from your body with this bass. Pulling it back any to look at the new (to you) fretboard? Also are you using the bass at a different height, which would change your arm angle? Just some other ideas.
Whooo boy! That's the story of my career! Once or twice a year, I have to remind the people doing the appointment booking that I can do more than just "pain relief" and "brutal deep tissue" work and that getting the occasional "I just wanna relax" session is a nice change of pace. That and it's important to keep those techniques from getting rusty. (…not to mention giving my forearms, wrists and hands a bit of a breather, to boot!
) I'm not sure what you're getting at. Would you mind clarifying your point?
The pain in his arm is caused by his arm resting on the edge of the bass.
Not repetitive stress.
If he elevates his arm,the pain should go away.
Any amount of force applied to an object is "stress". If said force is applied on a constant, continuous basis, it is "repetitive stress". Even "erosion" could be considered a form of repetitive stress, but the term is most commonly used by people in regards to the body. That stress can either come from within (e.g.: overusing the body in a particular way…lifting, pushing, flexing, plucking, etc…) or it could be due to an outside source. Good examples of it are an ill-fitting shoe that crimps the toes, a wristwatch that cuts too deeply into the wrist or even a piece of wood being constantly forced into flexor muscles/tendons that are flexing and releasing over and over and over again. It is exactly "repetitive stress". (Gimme a little credit. I've been in this career for twenty-four years…twenty-five, if you count my time in Student Clinic.
)@everyone; The human body can and does shrug off a lot of repetitive stresses. Obviously, we have a degree of durability. If not, pro football would look like less of a sport and more like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". (Eww! Messy!
) But there are times when certain stresses damage our body. In the acute/short-term sense, it's called…say it with me…"INJURY". But when tissue has been slowly damaged and/or degenerated by constant, chronic, low-level stress it becomes "REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY".
Ok.Any amount of force applied to an object is "stress". If said force is applied on a constant, continuous basis, it is "repetitive stress". Even "erosion" could be considered a form of repetitive stress, but the term is most commonly used by people in regards to the body. That stress can either come from within (e.g.: overusing the body in a particular way…lifting, pushing, flexing, plucking, etc…) or it could be due to an outside source. Good examples of it are an ill-fitting shoe that crimps the toes, a wristwatch that cuts too deeply into the wrist or even a piece of wood being constantly forced into flexor muscles/tendons that are flexing and releasing over and over and over again. It is exactly "repetitive stress". (Gimme a little credit. I've been in this career for twenty-four years…twenty-five, if you count my time in Student Clinic.
@everyone; The human body can and does shrug off a lot of repetitive stresses. Obviously, we have a degree of durability. If not, pro football would look like less of a sport and more like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". (Eww! Messy!
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Actually, I'm glad you brought up the subject. In my experience, there are common, easily understandable misconceptions about certain terms and ideas regarding health, the human body and the maladies that afflict it in everyday life. When working on my clients, or in open discussion, I do my best to clarify the subjects I already know for them and, more importantly, try to learn more about what I don't know.
Even though I've been working in my field for a quarter of a century, some of my schooling may be a little out of date. Discussions like this, as well as sessions I perform on other health professionals (Would you believe nurses make up a considerable percent of my clientele base? Guess who does the real hands-on, grunt-work around a hospital!
) make me go back to my old lessons and compare them to updated information and/or newer breakthroughs on these subjects.In summary, izz all güd!
So in you opinion,should he go to a specialist or just get some "Icy Hot" and an ace bandage?Actually, I'm glad you brought up the subject. In my experience, there are common, easily understandable misconceptions about certain terms and ideas regarding health, the human body and the maladies that afflict it in everyday life. When working on my clients, or in open discussion, I do my best to clarify the subjects I already know for them and, more importantly, try to learn more about what I don't know.
Even though I've been working in my field for a quarter of a century, some of my schooling may be a little out of date. Discussions like this, as well as sessions I perform on other health professionals (Would you believe nurses make up a considerable percent of my clientele base? Guess who does the real hands-on, grunt-work around a hospital!
In summary, izz all güd!
Professionally, I'm not a fan of Icy Hot. The cooling sensation (which distracts the pain receptors) doesn't last very long. Products like BioFreeze or Zim's Max Freeze offer straight-up cooling sensation (no heat) and last much, much longer with a single application. Personally, I don't like the "heat" it offers. It just feels like "burning" to me, not pleasant warmth, but that could just be me.
In the short term, an ACE bandage would offer some protection against the pressure of the forearm resting upon the bass. Longer term, it could force a little bit of the excess fluids out of the inflamed area. Mild-to-firm pressure can do that, but too much pressure can risk cutting off necessary circulation. For example, if the hand starts swelling, turning darker in color and/or losing sensation, that's way too tight.
For self-care, ice or a cold pack is the way to go. It kills pain and reduces inflammation. Just don't apply it to the area too long. Too much of a good thing is still too much.
For professional care, someone who specializes in repetitive stress injuries would be the way to go. A physical therapist or occupational therapist would be the best way to go. Massage can help, but only if the person is trained to handle injuries. For example, if an area is too inflamed, I won't work on it. It needs to heal a bit first. Straight-up Swedish Massage (which does not mean "light pressure", by the way) would be okay, if applied correctly. Sports or Neuromuscular Therapy would be closer to the mark.
A piece of advice, try to limit your medical advice over the internet. There is often very little to base your diagnosis on, and technically you are establishing yourself as the OPs physical therapist, but with no exam, an incomplete history, and probably no follow up. Also, you are not the only highly qualified healthcare professional on the forum. No need to tout all of your accolades.
Actually, there is a great need for it. In practice, it's important to establish one's bona fides, especially when disseminating medical advice. It's how we separate ourselves from the "WebMD says it's cancer!" or the "My cousin's best friend's sister's former roommate said blah…blah…" sets. Certified schooling, great teachers, years of practical experience and input from other professionals are the steps to giving hard-earned advice. It's not that much different from bassists running educational programs touting where they were taught, who've they've played for and which recordings they've participated in. It establishes a baseline of credibility.
What you say about "medical advice over the internet" does carry some weight, though. As it stands, @EK4001 only has my word as to who I am and what I do. That's why I suggested which kinds of therapists would be best suited for his particular soft-tissue issues. They can perform a thorough, hands-on diagnosis, identify the specific bodily structures that are being affected and give a course of remedies and preventative steps necessary to alleviate his pain.
All that being said, if he wants to confirm who's giving him advice before he even waves an ice cube at his forearm, I'd gladly invite him to contact my employer and professional peers to verify and back up any claims of mine and advice I've given he might feel dubious about. I have nothing to hide and will gladly let my professional record speak for itself, especially when it comes to simple advice that I've given to scores, if not hundreds, of clients.
Sorry (but not very much
) if you have a problem with me establishing my credentials to back up advice that falls directly in the realm of my skill-set, experience and career, but like I said, it's important to do exactly that.
