Which arm for a flu shot?

[nickpc]

I really can't believe this hasn't been discussed (and if it has I can't believe how well hidden it was from Search...), so here it goes:

Situation:

• You're getting a flu shot today
• Your arm will be sore from the shot
• You're playing for ~2 hours later today
• You play right-handed (so you fret with your left and pluck/pick with your right)

Knowing you'll be playing for a few hours with a sore arm, which one do you sacrifice to the soreness?

 

[Torrente Cro]

Got my flu shot last friday and didn't feel any pain in my arm.
I take shot every year for last 10 years and it is something I forget 5 min after. Only for the first time I was in bed for 2 days, arm was fine, but I had a fever.

 

[Texaspandj]

Ha, my wife and I were just discussing this but not in relation to bass playing.
My wife says the dominate side because it's stronger and can take it better.
I say the weak side because you'll be able to do basically the same things without any compromises such as brushing your teeth, drinking water etc.
FWIW, the flu shot will be forgotten relatively quickly. However the vaccine shot will still be sore the next day. Neither one will hinder your playing though.

 

[Anachronism]

It probably won't hurt enough to matter. Still, in the off-chance that it does, I'd go with the right arm, as I think it is easier to cope with a sore shoulder on the plucking hand.
1. The strap will be over the left shoulder.
2. Holding an arm out and moving it up and down the neck is going to strain things more than plucking strings.

 

[Cutter8]

The shot isn’t likely to affect your playing to any significant degree on the day you get it (but the following day could be a different story). If you typically sleep on your side, I would get the shot in the shoulder you don’t tend to sleep on. If you aren’t a side-sleeper, I would go with the non-dominant arm.

 

[Hounddog409]

I really can't believe this hasn't been discussed (and if it has I can't believe how well hidden it was from Search...), so here it goes:

Situation:

• You're getting a flu shot today
• Your arm will be sore from the shot
• You're playing for ~2 hours later today
• You play right-handed (so you fret with your left and pluck/pick with your right)

Knowing you'll be playing for a few hours with a sore arm, which one do you sacrifice to the soreness?

No clue. Never had a flue shot

 

[Gsnorgathon]

It probably won't hurt enough to matter. Still, in the off-chance that it does, I'd go with the right arm, as I think it is easier to cope with a sore shoulder on the plucking hand.
1. The strap will be over the left shoulder.
2. Holding an arm out and moving it up and down the neck is going to strain things more than plucking strings.

What Anachronism said. Though - I've never noticed soreness from a flu shot. Covid's another story. Plus, what Cutter8 said. Even with the covid shot, I don't notice any soreness until the next day.

 

[devnulljp]

I gave blood for the first time at 18 the day of my first ever gig. Didn't even think about it, but got a nasty bruise (left arm). Didn't stop me playing though.

 

[DirtDog]

Suck it up princess. Any arm will do. Power through it like a champ!

 

[iiipopes]

Either. I have had shots in both arms over the years. This spring I had one of the two-stage COVID-19 immunizations, and I had one shot in one arm and one in the other the four weeks later. I will be going in soon to get my flu shot and a COVID-19 booster, and I will ask for one in each arm.

I've debated this issue over the years: strong arm, weak arm, writing hand, other hand, neck strap side arm, other side arm, etc., I have found over the decades it makes really no difference to me.

As persons are all different in this regard, YMMV. What does your primary health care provider or your pharmacist or other health care provider recommend to you?

 

[Stewie]

Forehead is best

 

[micguy]

I'd go with my left arm. My right hand is the one that has issues with speed at times, so anything that might affect anything like that - do it in the left.

 

[micguy]

Forehead is best

The less I think, the better I play, so that sounds like a solid tactic.

 

[darwin-bass]

Right arm. Because I sleep on my left side.

And I suspect my R shoulder moves less while playing than my L. Except for putting the bass on. That might be a bit of a challenge if the R arm is sore and doesn't want to move.

 

[darwin-bass]

And bravo for not adding "carrots" to the pole. This is one instance where that would not be a good choice.

 

[dalahorse]

I always do left. But I drive a truck with a manual transmission and need my right arm for lots of shifting.

 

[MrLenny1]

Do the right arm in case you get Pain.
It's not bad at all.

 

[TheReceder]

Someone else's arm.

 

[HardNHeavy]

if i had to, it'd be my right arm...since it is no doubt stronger to tolerate any "pricks" so to speak..rather have my fretting hand spot-on with the notes.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Its a well known fact that a flu shot will only have an negative effect on transporting 8X10 bass cabinets. And only with people who already have trouble lifting 8X10 cabinets.

Either arm is fine.