Thumb Support

[Ejb]

Good morning Bass chatters, I have arthritis in my thumbs but just recently my left (fretting) thumb has started to get really painful when playing. Are there any of you that can recommend a good thumb support or have experienced similar. I have had two steroid injections but sadly haven’t worked. I would welcome any constructive feedback. Thanks in advance.

John

[Lozz196]

I`ve not got any suggestions but will keep an eye on this thread as am in the same position - not had the injections yet but I fear they are looming. I`ve spent pretty much the last year adapting my playing technique to the point where I hardly touch the neck with my thumb now and that has really helped me, it may look a tad daft playing with thumb fully extended but I don`t care about that. I have looked at support-thingys on Amazon but none of the reviews mention musicians/playing guitars so not bought one yet, again I think this purchase is looming.

[chris_b]

I have the same thing on the way and I'm looking at all possibilities.

 

I have no medical suggestions, but a very low action and a soft technique, involving very little pressure, is all I've come up with so far.

[Leonard Smalls]

I recently had a case of trigger thumb and seem to have sorted it out with one of THESE

They allegedly work for arthritis too - the physio I saw said it was probably the best option (not necessarily that one, there's loads of similar ones!)

 

[Dood]

55 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I`ve not got any suggestions but will keep an eye on this thread as am in the same position - not had the injections yet but I fear they are looming. I`ve spent pretty much the last year adapting my playing technique to the point where I hardly touch the neck with my thumb now and that has really helped me, it may look a tad daft playing with thumb fully extended but I don`t care about that. I have looked at support-thingys on Amazon but none of the reviews mention musicians/playing guitars so not bought one yet, again I think this purchase is looming.

 

 

My suggestion is based on this post and, related to techniques I teach in bass lessons. New students sometimes weld their thumb in to the wood work, or poor left hand positioning; understandably instruments can sometimes need a service and a set up too. Not suggesting that those suffering from thumb problems are doing any of the above, but often taking these things in to consideration can, as Lozz has pointed out, be a great help. 

 

There are many elements to look at when playing and one that I often pickup on when watching students is the tendency to lock up or apply uneven/more pressure when playing faster or more dextrous passages leading to fatigue. (Sometimes overlooked whilst in the throws of an adrenaline filled performance) - Couple that with say a high action / neck relief and 'broom handling' position has definitely caused issues. Much like those who like to "rest" their picking hand thumb on the top of a pickup, but, in the excitement of a performance let the weight of their entire forearm bear down on the thumb joint. FLoating thumb technique can be of assistance here for example. 

 

Obviously I'm not a doctor but I hope maybe there's a little food for thought that might just help? I hope so, not being able to play without discomfort is the worst and I have my own battles in that department.  

[Dood]

Just now, Dood said:

 

 

My suggestion is based on this post and, related to techniques I teach in bass lessons. New students sometimes weld their thumb in to the wood work, or poor left hand positioning; understandably instruments can sometimes need a service and a set up too. Not suggesting that those suffering from thumb problems are doing any of the above, but often taking these things in to consideration can, as Lozz has pointed out, be a great help. 

 

There are many elements to look at when playing and one that I often pickup on when watching students is the tendency to lock up or apply uneven/more pressure when playing faster or more dextrous passages leading to fatigue. (Sometimes overlooked whilst in the throws of an adrenaline filled performance) - Couple that with say a high action / neck relief and 'broom handling' position has definitely caused issues. Much like those who like to "rest" their picking hand thumb on the top of a pickup, but, in the excitement of a performance let the weight of their entire forearm bear down on the thumb joint. FLoating thumb technique can be of assistance here for example. 

 

Obviously I'm not a doctor but I hope maybe there's a little food for thought that might just help? I hope so, not being able to play without discomfort is the worst and I have my own battles in that department.  

 

Completely forgot to ask about bass set up, neck profile size, hand position and at what height the bass is set at. Ideally, some playing videos may be of assistance. 

 

There's also the Alexander Technique for musicians that may help? 

[Lozz196]

Good points @Dood, I was always a high-action heavy-plectrum heavy-hitter, which may account for wear & tear on my hands, but over the last few years have changed these, now preferring a low action, lighter gauge plec and employing a softer touch. I`ve found that these have made playing much more enjoyable for me, as well as helping me master songs that with my old caveman techniques would probably have been beyond me.

[Dood]

7 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Good points @Dood, I was always a high-action heavy-plectrum heavy-hitter, which may account for wear & tear on my hands, but over the last few years have changed these, now preferring a low action, lighter gauge plec and employing a softer touch. I`ve found that these have made playing much more enjoyable for me, as well as helping me master songs that with my old caveman techniques would probably have been beyond me.

 

Not entirely related, I went to a Chiropractor many years ago for excrutiating back pain. After looking at me, poking and prodding, she told me I've played heavy guitar for many years. Excited that she may have come to those conclusions based on me trying to look like a musician (ha ha) she said, no, it's because my back is crooked, my neck is tight, my left shoulder goes down, my left hip points upwards and this causes one leg to be shorter than the other.  😂🤣

 

Years of bad posture in this case took it's toll, I've wear and tear on my vertebra. I do have to check myself when performing, not to pull so many rock-star poses so I don't have to pay the piper too much later!!

[chris_b]

40 minutes ago, Dood said:

 

Not entirely related, I went to a Chiropractor many years ago for excrutiating back pain. After looking at me, poking and prodding, she told me I've played heavy guitar for many years. Excited that she may have come to those conclusions based on me trying to look like a musician (ha ha) she said, no, it's because my back is crooked, my neck is tight, my left shoulder goes down, my left hip points upwards and this causes one leg to be shorter than the other.  

 

Years of bad posture in this case took it's toll, I've wear and tear on my vertebra. I do have to check myself when performing, not to pull so many rock-star poses so I don't have to pay the piper too much later!!

 

I bought a suit a few years ago and went to the tailor for a final fitting. He couldn't get the waistcoat to sit properly on my shoulders. Turns out my left shoulder is 2" higher than my right, after years of holding up heavy basses.

[Ejb]

Thanks for all comments, some really good feedback. I have started new techniques and experimenting with my different basses. The comments from Chris b I can relate to, as many years ago I was having physio after an accident and the physiotherapist immediately asked me did I play bass guitar due to the problems I was having with my hands. Clever people.

👍

[Ejb]

3 hours ago, Leonard Smalls said:

I recently had a case of trigger thumb and seem to have sorted it out with one of THESE

They allegedly work for arthritis too - the physio I saw said it was probably the best option (not necessarily that one, there's loads of similar ones!)

 

 

[Ejb]

Thanks I will try one of these, hopefully won’t impact on playing.

[Leonard Smalls]

17 hours ago, Ejb said:

hopefully won’t impact on playing

Mine's on the left fretting hand too, and has no impact at all on playing (might if you like to hook your thumb over to fret stuff!).

And it looks sort of rock'n'roll, wot with the blackness and straps!

Edited 14 hours ago by Leonard Smalls

[Hellzero]

I'll come back here with an old moto of mine: use the classical guitar seated playing position, this is the best position to release all tensions in the body, but don't use a foot rest as it will twist your spine and ruin everything.

 

Instead use a Hopf Dynarette on your thigh to perfectly balance your instrument and body, but don't buy any Amazon fake, but the original that you can find at Thomann.

 

Check here what it is:

 

 

 

And watch Simon Zauels here playing the perfect way to avoid any health problem:

 

 

To release the tension of the thumb, use the double bass (again) classical technique, which is using the thumb as a guide for your hand without any pressure on the neck, which is also the classical guitar technique by the way.

 

Remember that to achieve this, you'll have to play a perfectly balanced instrument with a low action and a perfect set-up.

 

And don't think about what the others will say seeing you playing like this, but think only about your own comfort.

 

You'll probably think too that it's only a thumb problem, but everything is intricately linked, talk to a physiotherapist and you'll be amazed by how important your posture is (and not only while playing an instrument).