TomRandles97 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 So I’ve been to my GP and since seen a physio after I’ve been told I have tendonitis. The physio has since said that he believes it to be Carpal tunnel. Whether tendonitis inflicted carpal tunnel or I was simply misdiagnosed, I’m not sure. However, I’ve been recommended to do exercises to strengthen the muscles in my hands but I’m unsure of where to start. Anyone able to recommend anything in particular? As with so many things on the internet a lot of information available seems misinformed and not helpful, so I thought it’d be best to ask people who may already have been through what I have. It’s been about 6 weeks since I started having pain and the idea of having a break from playing seems pretty impossible at the moment seeing as I’m currently studying music performance at degree level and I have gigs/recording sessions coming up. If anyone can give me any advice on how to reduce strain and how I can recover quicker that’d be great. I’m aware the best thing I can do is to simply not play but putting the breaks on everything right now isn’t really possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Not being funny but why hasn`t the physio recommended the relevant exercises, surely that`s part of the treatment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest McBass Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 My tendonitis stemmed from a shoulder problem caused through bad posture, i managed to sort it through NHS Physios giving me stretches to do. I paid for private physio and acupuncture at it was a waste of money, it took a while to die down but it eventually went away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 22 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Not being funny but why hasn`t the physio recommended the relevant exercises, surely that`s part of the treatment. He’s given me two but told me to research more myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dankology Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 If it is indeed carpal tunnel syndrome, "muscle strengthening exercises" are not a recognized treatment. CTS should be straightforward enough to diagnose from your symptoms plus some simple tests +/- formal nerve condition studies if there is any doubt. I'd go back to your GP to discuss the Physio's opinion and would be wary of anyone who tells you that you have CTS and then sends you off to figure out some hand exercises... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 10 minutes ago, McBass said: My tendonitis stemmed from a shoulder problem caused through bad posture, i managed to sort it through NHS Physios giving me stretches to do. I paid for private physio and acupuncture at it was a waste of money, it took a while to die down but it eventually went away. How long did it take for recovery if you don’t me asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest McBass Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Once i got the right physio about a year, i just have to be careful. 100-40 gauge strings (low tension) and low action helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
only4 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 The way I reduced strain on my hands but carry on playing whilst suffering hand problems was to get a short scale bass with light strings and trying to rest them as much as I could to reduce inflammation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 1 minute ago, only4 said: The way I reduced strain on my hands but carry on playing whilst suffering hand problems was to get a short scale bass with light strings and trying to rest them as much as I could to reduce inflammation. I have actually been recommended trying out a short scale for it. Many have to invest in a cheap one and give it a go. Did it take long for the inflammation to go down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 These are really good: http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-exercises 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 This thread from Talkbass might be of some help : https://www.talkbass.com/threads/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-cts-info.922789/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
only4 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 1 hour ago, TomRandles97 said: I have actually been recommended trying out a short scale for it. Many have to invest in a cheap one and give it a go. Did it take long for the inflammation to go down? Most of my problems come from manual work so adjustments in my job were also required in this journey. I have to admit that I carried on playing the short scale bass for several years after my symptoms subsided which took about 6 months from memory. Even now I can only play certain fullscale basses without having issues, strap height and how the bass hangs seem critical to me. Whilst this may seem weird, throughout the day and when going to sleep I try to always keep my fingers straight as much as I can instead of having them curled, not sure if this helps but it seems that as you get older you can have problems straightened your fingers so in my mind this should help? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Be really careful warming up. I had a similar issue at uni and when you’re playing everyday and surrounded by good players your perception of what a gentle, slow exercise is can be serverely warped. If you’re not already, limit how fast you go with a metronome or similar and aim for being as economical as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 4 hours ago, TomRandles97 said: So I’ve been to my GP and since seen a physio after I’ve been told I have tendonitis. The physio has since said that he believes it to be Carpal tunnel. Is it definitely CTS? You need it confirming before looking for the correct solution. If it IS CTS, try vitamin B6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 6 hours ago, TomRandles97 said: So I’ve been to my GP and since seen a physio after I’ve been told I have tendonitis. The physio has since said that he believes it to be Carpal tunnel. Whether tendonitis inflicted carpal tunnel or I was simply misdiagnosed, I’m not sure. However, I’ve been recommended to do exercises to strengthen the muscles in my hands but I’m unsure of where to start. Anyone able to recommend anything in particular? As with so many things on the internet a lot of information available seems misinformed and not helpful, so I thought it’d be best to ask people who may already have been through what I have. It’s been about 6 weeks since I started having pain and the idea of having a break from playing seems pretty impossible at the moment seeing as I’m currently studying music performance at degree level and I have gigs/recording sessions coming up. If anyone can give me any advice on how to reduce strain and how I can recover quicker that’d be great. I’m aware the best thing I can do is to simply not play but putting the breaks on everything right now isn’t really possible I had carpal tunnel syndrome. My useless Dr arranged for physiotherapy which I felt was pointless. So I went back to my GP surgery and luckily I saw a different Dr, who agreed with me and arranged for tests, at my local hospital with a Neurologist. He advised that I get surgery, which I did, and 6 weeks later my carpal tunnel was cured. If you have these symptoms, then you probably have carpal tunnel syndrome and need to persuade your GP to refer you to a neurologist for tests. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dankology Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 6 hours ago, gjones said: I had carpal tunnel syndrome. My useless Dr arranged for physiotherapy which I felt was pointless. So I went back to my GP surgery and luckily I saw a different Dr, who agreed with me and arranged for tests, at my local hospital with a Neurologist. He advised that I get surgery, which I did, and 6 weeks later my carpal tunnel was cured. If you have these symptoms, then you probably have carpal tunnel syndrome and need to persuade your GP to refer you to a neurologist for tests. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355603 Depending in how your local services are set up access to nerve conduction studies can be through Neurology, Physiotherapy or even Rheumatology. Current national guidance would suggest referral to Physio/Musculoskeletal clinic in the first instance (especially as they usually have the access to splinting and injections). Any surgery required would usually be carried out by an Orthopaedic surgeon so I'm not sure how keen I'd be to join the waiting list for a Neurology review - many now measured in months.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRandles97 Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) Thanks everyone my symptoms are mainly pain in my hands and around the underside of my wrist. The hand pain is mainly in the joints and muscles but depends on what I’m doing with my hand. The pain normally comes and goes but it’s primarily there when I play bass. I don’t get numbness, but my joints tend to almost ‘lock’ or collapse occasionally. My index finger is the only one to get any numbness, it basically feels clumsy when I play, if that makes sense. I struggle to pick things up and do things like turn door handles, cut food etc. I’m just at a bit of a loss as both people I’ve seen have told me different things so I’m not sure what I should be doing to get better, how long to expect to be like this etc Edited March 5, 2018 by TomRandles97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dankology Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 For me, the lack of certainty about the diagnosis, your (presumably) young age and your risk factors (the bass playing) would point me towards nerve conduction testing to firmly rule CTS in or out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoRhino Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist for an ultrasound scan on your wrist to confirm or dismiss CTS. They will see any damage immediately. In the meantime buy a wrist support and wear it when you play. Or your local physio might provide one for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) 13 hours ago, Dankology said: For me, the lack of certainty about the diagnosis, your (presumably) young age and your risk factors (the bass playing) would point me towards nerve conduction testing to firmly rule CTS in or out. +1 Edited March 5, 2018 by BassBunny 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dov65 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Dont know if this is any good to you but i suffer from white finger vibration/ tendonitis in the base of my thumbs. I've been using CBD oil from Holland & Barret and do notice an improvement, i'm not saying its a cure but does take the edge off things, for me anyway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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