Carpal tunnel

[Rich44]

I've just spoken to a physiotherapist and she reckons I have both dequervains syndrome and a mild case of carpal tunnel. I've been resting the last three months and only been playing bass maybe 5-10minutes daily. I'm only 19 and have never played for more than 30mins-an hour daily so its really annoying me, i must naturally have weak wrists. She said just keep resting, but I really want to start bass from scratch again (otherwise I may as well just give it up now).

My technique is ok except for maybe how my thumb rests on the back of the neck. Would you think it would be advisable for me to see a bass tutor to go right back to basics (i.e still be playing, just honing technique) or maybe even just doing theory a few more weeks with them (no playing) until it heals (would they do non-practice sessions?).

Also, does anyone play with wrist-braces. I've heard people criticise them for not allowing enough flexibility, but if they can stop the wrist bending too much surely this will help?

Edited August 6, 2009 by Rich44

[BarnacleBob]

Really sorry to hear ur having problems like this, mate, total bummer.
No advice unfortunately, other than dont give up - the world needs all the bass players it can get!
I know there are different left hand techniques - some say the thumb should be in line wth the centre of the neck and some have almost a golfclub type grip round the neck.
I would suggest having a total rest for a while if u can handle it and have a nosey about the site I am sure there are other posts with info and advice about similair conditions

We should have a seperate medical problem section (I have a fecked back from humping gear )

Hope it all works out well


BB

[TKenrick]

There's an organisation called BAPAM (www.bapam.org.uk) that specialises in treating musicians/performers, they were a great help to me when I had problems with my shoulder. As for technique, I'd definitely recommend going an seeing an experienced teacher to make sure you're doing the right things - maybe have a look in the teaching section of the forum and see if there's anyone in your area that's recommended.

Best of luck with it, I know how frustrating it can be when all you want to do is practice and your body refuses to cooperate!

[BassBunny]

[quote name='TKenrick' post='561886' date='Aug 6 2009, 12:11 PM']There's an organisation called BAPAM (www.bapam.org.uk) that specialises in treating musicians/performers, they were a great help to me when I had problems with my shoulder. As for technique, I'd definitely recommend going an seeing an experienced teacher to make sure you're doing the right things - maybe have a look in the teaching section of the forum and see if there's anyone in your area that's recommended.

Best of luck with it, I know how frustrating it can be when all you want to do is practice and your body refuses to cooperate![/quote]
+1. If you have CTS then you need to get someone to look at your technique.
Here's an article from Guitar magazine about CTS and a simple "hint". You may just need some B vitamin.
[attachment=30361:CTS.jpg]

[rslaing]

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='561796' date='Aug 6 2009, 10:44 AM']I have a fecked back from humping gear

BB[/quote]

I don't mean to make light of your predicament, but shouldn't you direct your amorous attention to something that is human?

[BarnacleBob]

[quote name='rslaing' post='562248' date='Aug 6 2009, 09:02 PM']I don't mean to make light of your predicament, but shouldn't you direct your amorous attention to something that is human?[/quote]


Be fair, It was TE AH250 with the pretty light

(just had to make sure that fan was off!)


BB

[dlloyd]

[quote name='TKenrick' post='561886' date='Aug 6 2009, 12:11 PM']There's an organisation called BAPAM (www.bapam.org.uk) that specialises in treating musicians/performers, they were a great help to me when I had problems with my shoulder. As for technique, I'd definitely recommend going an seeing an experienced teacher to make sure you're doing the right things - maybe have a look in the teaching section of the forum and see if there's anyone in your area that's recommended.[/quote]

+1

As your location says 'small town in Wales' I suggest being prepared to look further afield for a really good teacher.

[rslaing]

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='562252' date='Aug 6 2009, 09:06 PM']Be fair, It was TE AH250 with the pretty light

(just had to make sure that fan was off!)


BB[/quote]

Fair play, but regards the fan - questionable.

[Sugden]

From personal experience looking at your technique and just improving your muscle and wrist stamina is the best way to go.

I completely ruined my arms racing downhill for a few years got to the stage that after 2 mins on a course I couldn’t pull the brake, and when your going 20mph into tree, not been able to pull the brakes a indication to stop doing that pass time.

But this had an impact on my playing from the beginning I started out not been able to play for a whole song let alone a set but gradually I have loosened the muscles and built the stamina to play longer. But what ever you do people say to play though the pain total rubbish it makes it worse. Stop have a rest keep coming back to it. An option you my not like is playing with a pick that's a very good alternative doesn't effect wrist problems as much.

Wrist braces made things worse for me they constrict the tendons and blood flow making it worse for some and better for others. There’s a bit of surgery you can apparently have to remove tissue from around the capillaries and other tendons that some motocross riders have had to relive the symptoms at server levels

So stick at it and have fun, but on a serious note if it causes you that much of a problem keeping at it and ruining your arms for later life really isnt worth it, no matter how much you love bass. I just about stuck at it but gave up downhill and used to adore that, it used to be my life. But I used the horrible amount of money I spent on that on basses so I'm a happy bunny now

Edited August 6, 2009 by Sugden

[dlloyd]

[quote name='BassBunny' post='562238' date='Aug 6 2009, 08:44 PM']+1. If you have CTS then you need to get someone to look at your technique.
Here's an article from Guitar magazine about CTS and a simple "hint". You may just need some B vitamin.
[attachment=30361:CTS.jpg][/quote]

You might want to read this before taking that advice...

[url="http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=1215"]http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=1215[/url]

[bigd1]

I have CTS in both wrists, the only treatment that works in my experience is to have it released.
CTS is a tube in the wrist that nerves to the hand pass through and is when this tube narrows. This squashes the nerves and usually makes the thumb and the fingers next to the thumb go numb. Normally you use a brace at night as this is the main time CTS can be a problem. Playing musical instruments also causes problems. I have problems with my bass guitar also tuba.
To have your CTS released is a smallish operation done under a local (no knock out). Takes 6~8 weeks to be fully over the opp and able to use your wrist normally. I have had my left hand released and it has been great ever since.
As this is a problem with nerves being compressed, I think this is the only option, if it is really causing you problems.
I do still have CTS in my right wrist but for now just live with it. I will go for an opp if it goes any worse and causes further problems.
If you need any more info and think I can help from my experience please pm me.

Ta very glad Dale

Edited August 7, 2009 by bigd1

[Rich44]

Thanks alot for the replies, greatly appreciated. I think I just need to keep reminding myself to go lightly with it, I'[m going to pretend as though I'm a total beginner playing from scratch, and get lessons to go over all the basic technique and erase any bad habits.

I'm trying to avoid surgery (although I may go for steroid injections), but at this stage its more of a mild irritation, its the dequervains (side of wrist and thumb joints) which I'd say is bothering me the most right now.

Anyway, thanks again for responding.

[GonzoBass]

I've found this site to be very useful-

[url="http://ergocise.com/wrists.html"]ergocise.com[/url]

It shows several ways of stretching and strengthening your hands/wrists.
For example-

[quote]

Sit in neutral position.
Straighten your right arm in front of you at shoulder height, palm down.
Bend your right wrist back, fingers pointing to the ceiling.
Inhale.
Exhale and, with your left hand, gently pull back your right fingers, stretching your wrist.
Hold for ten seconds, continuing to breathe.
Repeat five times.
Repeat five times with your left wrist, assisting with your right hand.
This ergocise stretches the wrist flexors and finger flexors
(muscles that run through the carpal tunnel and insert into the palm),
increases circulation in wrists and hands, and helps prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.[/quote]

I did notice quite a bit of difference after only a week of following their advice.
I hope this helps you as much as it did me.

[Rich44]

[quote name='GonzoBass' post='565047' date='Aug 10 2009, 02:52 PM']I've found this site to be very useful-

[url="http://ergocise.com/wrists.html"]ergocise.com[/url]

It shows several ways of stretching and strengthening your hands/wrists.
For example-



I did notice quite a bit of difference after only a week of following their advice.
I hope this helps you as much as it did me.[/quote]

Thanks for that, will definately try them. I've bought a book called "conquering carpal tunnel" which apparently has good reviews, should get it next week but I'll be using that website in the meantime.

[daflewis]

do you have a stiff/aching neck?

for many years i thought i was suffering from tendonitis in the wrist (was even told this by an nhs consultant). i'm a full time pro, and when i started my current job i began having severe problems including tingling palms, so i thought i was developing cts as well.

After doing some online research i discovered that pressure on a nerve in the neck can often cause these symptoms - see [url="http://www.wellsphere.com/back-neck-pain-article/serious-neck-pain-and-carpal-tunnel-symptoms/427975"][color="#FF0000"]here[/color][/url]

I went to see a great osteopath in north london who is also a violinist - i really wanted to see someone who understood musicians, especially as the nhs consultant had released me saying, "as far as we're concerned it's a mild case" - meaning i could still do simple things like pick up a cup.....oh great....

After one session with the osteo there was a 60-70% improvement in the tingling palm and within six weeks/sessions i was completely free of hand and wrist problems for the first time in about 6-7 years. i now just make sure i do my stretching exercises and i'm fine - still do get a stiff neck but at least it doesn't end up down my arm.

I'm not saying this is your problem, but it's certainly worth looking into - and the same for everyone else having problems - especially Sugden!!! - if you push your head forward and then look up, this puts pressure on nerves in the neck - for me it's pit work - looking up at a conductor - but it's the same postion that you adopt on a bike!! i still get tingling fingers when i ride but it goes away if i push my head back and tuck my chin in to strech the back of my neck.

Good luck!
Daf

P.S. if anyone wants the osteo's number let me know (he also works in Bristol).

[Rich44]

[quote name='daflewis' post='565774' date='Aug 11 2009, 11:27 AM']do you have a stiff/aching neck?

for many years i thought i was suffering from tendonitis in the wrist (was even told this by an nhs consultant). i'm a full time pro, and when i started my current job i began having severe problems including tingling palms, so i thought i was developing cts as well.

After doing some online research i discovered that pressure on a nerve in the neck can often cause these symptoms - see [url="http://www.wellsphere.com/back-neck-pain-article/serious-neck-pain-and-carpal-tunnel-symptoms/427975"][color="#FF0000"]here[/color][/url]

I went to see a great osteopath in north london who is also a violinist - i really wanted to see someone who understood musicians, especially as the nhs consultant had released me saying, "as far as we're concerned it's a mild case" - meaning i could still do simple things like pick up a cup.....oh great....

After one session with the osteo there was a 60-70% improvement in the tingling palm and within six weeks/sessions i was completely free of hand and wrist problems for the first time in about 6-7 years. i now just make sure i do my stretching exercises and i'm fine - still do get a stiff neck but at least it doesn't end up down my arm.

I'm not saying this is your problem, but it's certainly worth looking into - and the same for everyone else having problems - especially Sugden!!! - if you push your head forward and then look up, this puts pressure on nerves in the neck - for me it's pit work - looking up at a conductor - but it's the same postion that you adopt on a bike!! i still get tingling fingers when i ride but it goes away if i push my head back and tuck my chin in to strech the back of my neck.

Good luck!
Daf

P.S. if anyone wants the osteo's number let me know (he also works in Bristol).[/quote]

I do have a stiff neck but thats from repetiveness of my recent cashier job, constantly looking left to right! My wrists have been playing up months before I started that though, but I know what you mean, the worst symptom is definately the tingling, there was a week where it was so bad I couldn't even grip a door handle without a shock running up my arm.

[velvetkevorkian]

[quote name='daflewis' post='565774' date='Aug 11 2009, 11:27 AM']do you have a stiff/aching neck?

for many years i thought i was suffering from tendonitis in the wrist (was even told this by an nhs consultant). i'm a full time pro, and when i started my current job i began having severe problems including tingling palms, so i thought i was developing cts as well.

After doing some online research i discovered that pressure on a nerve in the neck can often cause these symptoms - see [url="http://www.wellsphere.com/back-neck-pain-article/serious-neck-pain-and-carpal-tunnel-symptoms/427975"][color="#FF0000"]here[/color][/url]

I went to see a great osteopath in north london who is also a violinist - i really wanted to see someone who understood musicians, especially as the nhs consultant had released me saying, "as far as we're concerned it's a mild case" - meaning i could still do simple things like pick up a cup.....oh great....

After one session with the osteo there was a 60-70% improvement in the tingling palm and within six weeks/sessions i was completely free of hand and wrist problems for the first time in about 6-7 years. i now just make sure i do my stretching exercises and i'm fine - still do get a stiff neck but at least it doesn't end up down my arm.

I'm not saying this is your problem, but it's certainly worth looking into - and the same for everyone else having problems - especially Sugden!!! - if you push your head forward and then look up, this puts pressure on nerves in the neck - for me it's pit work - looking up at a conductor - but it's the same postion that you adopt on a bike!! i still get tingling fingers when i ride but it goes away if i push my head back and tuck my chin in to strech the back of my neck.

Good luck!
Daf

P.S. if anyone wants the osteo's number let me know (he also works in Bristol).[/quote]
IME most pain in the arms and hands is a symptom of tension in the shoulders/neck.