tendonitis questions for those who've gone through it.

[macteacher]

Hi All,

I'm curious if players that have dealt with tendonitis have had it mostly in the fretting hand, mostly in the plucking hand, or both?

Also has a change in technique been able to alleviate any of the issues?

Thanks.

 

[GroovyBaby]

Fretting hand for me. I work at the computer most of the day and play most nights so that’s a lot of work on the hands. My solution was to switch to the lowest tension strings possible (TI flats and rounds) and work on technique. You want to minimize muscle tension and relax as much as possible while playing precisely. It’s like Tai Chi bass playing. Technique and low tension work for me.

 

[srosenthal13]

I had pretty bad tendonitis in my shoulders, and general joint inflammation that was beginning to affect my drumming (this was before starting on bass).

The thing that made the biggest difference for me was changing to a keto diet. Within the first couple of weeks, I could feel the reduction in my joint inflammation and tendonitis.

That was maybe four years ago now, and I rarely have issues these days. I probably never would have taken up bass otherwise.

That's my anecdotal experience, but if you can reduce the amount of inflammation-provoking stuff in your diet, it could help.

 

[Petethebassman]

I had acute tendonitis in my fretting hand wrist almost 20 years ago, I had been practicing for 5-7 hours daily for a longer period, not getting enough rest and not eating quality foods were probably factors, too. Anyway, playing on a loaner upright with high action without warming up was the last straw- I woke up the next morning with a searing pain in the fingers and wrist, coùldn't even move the fingers properly. I went to see a doctor who injected cortisone in the wrist, told me to wear a wrist brace and not to play at all for two weeks.

I did cut down on the daily practice hours and started to take better care of my body. Thankfully that helped, the tendonitis hasn't recurred. But now - 20 years later - I'm dealing with early stage arthritis on my picking hand finger joints, especially in the middle finger. Ah, the "joys" of getting older..

 

[Geepers]

Had bad problems with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands and basically had to learn a whole new technique: flat wrists, floating thumb, relaxed hands and very light touch (turn up the amp!). I have no problems at all now no matter how many hours I play. It was a pretty long road looking back but very glad I took it. Good luck!

 

[onda'bass]

Had it in my elbow of plucking hand. Couldn’t hold a glass without dropping it. I revamped my approach while dealing with it. Now I am ok but never again do I want to
Go through that again.

 

[franklindayala]

Hi All,

I'm curious if players that have dealt with tendonitis have had it mostly in the fretting hand, mostly in the plucking hand, or both?

Also has a change in technique been able to alleviate any of the issues?

Thanks.

I had it in the plucking hand. The doctor said there where 2 options. Dont bend your wrist or stop playing bass.

The way that Gary Willis and Pino Palladino have their plucking hand helped me a lot.

 

[Lammchop93]

I had carpal tunnel in my fretting hand. Had surgery last year and I’m back to 100%. Getting my right hand operated on this Fall. I’m ready to be over the pain!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I recently had some numbness in my right hand's index and middle fingers and thumb and some pain in the elbow. Since my work also requires me to be on the computer a lot, my physiotherapist suggested getting an upright ergonomic mouse. Not playing too much bass and the ergo mouse has worked for me so far.

 

[matthewbrown]

I've mostly managed to avoid it by applying good technique, which I learned in college from my teacher: straight wrists, not too much force. Playing unamplified led to a recurrence a few years ago - too much force. I have arthritis, especially in my elbows, knees and at the base of my thumbs. Right now I am using a tennis elbow brace when I play to prevent elbow pain. The elbow pain recurred when I took up playing flute again. I also use diclofenac sodium topical gel. I use the gel on my hands and elbows. The gel works very well.

 

[Jakeman]

I just went through all of it the past few years. Carpal tunnel surgery, a-1 pulley tendon release, and ulnar nerve transposition surgery. Big question there is “how the ** did this happen??” Well, it’s many things. Some of it is genetic - history of this kind of thing on my mother’s side. But the main, number one thing was a lack of listening to and taking care of my body. Had to make a lot of changes in a lot of different areas. For several decades I was going to a gig, filling myself with various vasoconstrictors and very little water, playing aggressively with questionable technique and zero regard for ergonomics for three hours, then going home to bed where I’d sleep with my arms and hands crushed under my overweight body where they’d be pins and needles for hours while I slept. Not good. Start with stretching before you play, look up “stretches for guitarists” on YouTube. Catch it before you end up in my situation, and good luck!

 

[Winslow]

Yeah, I'll join the club too. Had it bad enough in my right forearm & plucking hand a few years ago that I started to wonder if my table saw would have given me any relief. (Don't do that.) As others have said above, good technique and a lighter touch was key. Had to unlearn a lot of bad habits, but it can be done. I might have even accidentally gotten a little better.

Hang in there, and good luck!

 

[blacktocomm]

Had it in my fretting hand a few years back. Doctor suggested a temporary brace and laying off playing so much for awhile. I wore the brace while sleeping and cut my practice time back for a month or so and it healed right up.

 

[Geepers]

Something else I should have mentioned: fixing neck dive is an important part of my new, non-injurious way of playing. It allows my fretting hand to “hover” rather than “grip”.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Right elbow tendinitis and right frozen shoulder. Just had to get injections in both. Not fun

 

[Winslow]

I went to see a doctor who injected cortisone in the wrist, told me to wear a wrist brace and not to play at all for two weeks.

I got the shots in the wrist too. That was freaky as all get-out. Not terrible compared to the pain of the problem, just crazy to watch.

Incidentally, for anyone wondering if it's worth talking to a doc, I would say yes, with a qualifying note: Find a hand & extremity specialist. It was also nice that the brace from the doc's office was way better in fit & quality than the generic stuff off the peg racks at the "all-mart." That was a huge help. If I feel the early twinge of an ache coming on, I know now to stop, rest it, and if need be, brace it for a while to keep it still. Very helpful.

Good luck to all.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Had bad problems with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands and basically had to learn a whole new technique: flat wrists, floating thumb, relaxed hands and very light touch (turn up the amp!). I have no problems at all now no matter how many hours I play. It was a pretty long road looking back but very glad I took it. Good luck!

Great advice, and I’ll add that playing with a light touch and turning up the amp generally produces great tone.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I have had chronic tendonitis in both hands, wrists and elbows for years. I had six surgeries on my hands to release trigger finger and all six were successful, no more problems. The tendonitis in my elbows finally cleared up as it did in my wrists. You may have to stop playing for a while to let things settle down. There are some massage techniques that are very helpful. You can find them online. Good luck.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

I'm just getting over a case of tendonitis in my right (plucking) forearm, between the thumb and elbow. I had 2 months of 1-2 gigs every weekend, and I believe the high volume of playing, and my preference to play with the bass up high with a bent right wrist, caused it.

I made some dietary changes recently which incidentally helped with the tendonitis, and sore joints in general. I was already eating healthy food, but I increased my vegetable portions, while reducing portions of animal stuff. I'm surprised by how much this simple change improved how I feel. I'm 53 years old, btw.

I lengthened my strap so the bass sits lower, which allows me to straighten out my right wrist somewhat. I also try to avoid resting my forearm on the bass, which naturally leads to a bent wrist. Right elbow out.

Finally, I allowed it to rest. I limited my practice sessions to 30 minutes, and took a day off every 2-3 days.

After doing the above for 4 weeks or so, the tendonitis is nearly gone, and I've grown accustomed to the new playing position. Fingers crossed that it doesn't come back.

 

[Wavy]

Yes, 30 years ago.
Not due to neck dive, because I play headless.
After a long day of being the only bassist, the next day, my (left) fretting elbow hurt badly.

A chiropractor who at the time taught all the other chiropractors found the source -- my fretting side trapezius... from the heavy book bag slung over my shoulder every day at college.

Chiropractic, with ultrasound, and acupuncture cured it. Oh, and moving my book bag to my right shoulder.

Sometimes it reoccurs from using the mouse. (Yes, I mouse with my left hand. It's a power user tactic. ) Osteopathy and cannabis cream take care of it.


May you heal well and fast.