Steve Dude Barr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,173
Pressure point between the thumb and index finger.
- Thread starter SharonG
- Start date
Pressure point between the thumb and index finger.
tiffles
Well-known member
no its a bit more complex than that, well what he taught me....but i wouldnt be surprised if that works it has heaps of accupressure points, one is for headaches and one is an adrenaline point
Thanks for all of the support, everyone. I have been doing the non-guitar based stretches the doc gave me and that has helped. Oodles of meds have helped for now at least to get the acute swelling down. I will look for the Petrucci book, and Azzy - I'd love the specifics on the excersies you use, too.
Rehearsing for a recording date last night, I kept the brace on which forced me to adopt a more closed hand technique, but it kept me from overstretching for now. I'm keeping the brace on now for anything that might put pressure on the tendons (typing), but I'm doing gentle stretches in between.
Thanks for all of the kind words!!!
Rehearsing for a recording date last night, I kept the brace on which forced me to adopt a more closed hand technique, but it kept me from overstretching for now. I'm keeping the brace on now for anything that might put pressure on the tendons (typing), but I'm doing gentle stretches in between.
Thanks for all of the kind words!!!
SteveB
Well-known member
Sharon,
I've got tendonitis and also a ganglian cyst on the tendon on my fretting wrist. The stretching helps tremendously... and it's a video by Petrucci that you're looking for ("Rock Disclipline"). He has a book called "Wild Stringdom" but I'm not sure the stretching excercises are in there. Besides, it's easier to watch him do the stretches on video rather than try to glean the proper technique by reading.
(I write software for a living too. When using a keyboard, always ensure that you can rest your forearm up to your elbow. You'll need a deep surface like a desktop to accomplish this, but it makes all the difference in the world.)
I've got tendonitis and also a ganglian cyst on the tendon on my fretting wrist. The stretching helps tremendously... and it's a video by Petrucci that you're looking for ("Rock Disclipline"). He has a book called "Wild Stringdom" but I'm not sure the stretching excercises are in there. Besides, it's easier to watch him do the stretches on video rather than try to glean the proper technique by reading.
(I write software for a living too. When using a keyboard, always ensure that you can rest your forearm up to your elbow. You'll need a deep surface like a desktop to accomplish this, but it makes all the difference in the world.)
francric
Well-known member
Get an old sock and put some rice in it. Nuke it till it gets real warm but becareful, too much and it will burn you. Place it on your wrist or area of pain, then do the stretches. Also suggest getting the wrist brace support and wear it while you sleep. Worked for me, recommended by a orthopedist.
SteveB
Well-known member
francric,
I am going to try that rice idea the next time my tendonitis acts up. Thanks for sharing that idea.
I am going to try that rice idea the next time my tendonitis acts up. Thanks for sharing that idea.
Sharon I also suffer from Carpel Tunnel. I play 4 hour gigs without much pain if there ever is.
I had to learn some proper technique and apply it in order to accomplish that.
If you would like I can email or PM you some sources for learning the same playing techique I use.
IMHO
tk
I had to learn some proper technique and apply it in order to accomplish that.
If you would like I can email or PM you some sources for learning the same playing techique I use.
IMHO
tk
nashman
Well-known member
SteveB said:
SteveB ... FYI ... I fell down the stairs when I was a kid, injured my wrist breaking my fall and ended up with a ganglian cyst. I had an operation to remove it, but it came back. I had a second operation and it came back for a third time. I had enough by then, put my arm on a table and smacked the ganglian with a Webster's Dictionary .... never had a problem again and that was ~ 30 years ago.
strummer
Enormous Member
Sharon, so sorry to hear you getting hand problems!
Lot's of good advice already, and the only thing I can think of is that when I was younger I had my bass knee high (low). When some actual playing was needed (besides pounding out root 8:th notes) I always positioned my bass in an almost upright position. Tried it just now, and it still works. Does not work too well if the bass is hung "standard" height, But get a real long strap and give it a try.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery
Lot's of good advice already, and the only thing I can think of is that when I was younger I had my bass knee high (low). When some actual playing was needed (besides pounding out root 8:th notes) I always positioned my bass in an almost upright position. Tried it just now, and it still works. Does not work too well if the bass is hung "standard" height, But get a real long strap and give it a try.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery
maddog
Well-known member
I'm working out of Ed Friedland's beginner books and he teaches the 1,2,4 (index, middle and ring/pinky combo) fretting. It has helped immensely with hand problems. I don't get the aches and pains I used to from trying to span 4 frets.
I've had a ganglian cyst for nigh on 2 decades. Saw a doc about removing it. Because of where it was at, he recommended surgery. Normally he would just bang 'em with a bible. He told me there was a 33% chance it would come back after the surgery so I just said I'd start calling him little buddy.
I've had a ganglian cyst for nigh on 2 decades. Saw a doc about removing it. Because of where it was at, he recommended surgery. Normally he would just bang 'em with a bible. He told me there was a 33% chance it would come back after the surgery so I just said I'd start calling him little buddy.
I have carpel in both wrists. I play 124 fingerings and also keep my thumb in the middle of the neck and use it to pivot to the long streaches.
I had the carpel a long time before I started playing bass. It hasn't slowed my bass playing down one bit since I learned to pay attention to technique.
I wish smacking my wrists with a Bible or a Chicago phonebook would help them
It is possible to play without further injury that I do know. It just won't be easy if you have played a particular way for a long time to get into the good habits.
tk
I had the carpel a long time before I started playing bass. It hasn't slowed my bass playing down one bit since I learned to pay attention to technique.
I wish smacking my wrists with a Bible or a Chicago phonebook would help them
It is possible to play without further injury that I do know. It just won't be easy if you have played a particular way for a long time to get into the good habits.
tk
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Sharon Dr ball here...
Stop playing...i....the swelling is telling you that there is trauma...
You know the drill alternate ice and heat
When the swelling subsides warm up slowly and gently stretch
But drop down to some really light strings for awhile and it will reduce the pressure need from both hands..this will be a really good thing for you anyway. make your amp do the work for awhile..you will feel better and get a new understanding of dynamics
Stop playing...i....the swelling is telling you that there is trauma...
You know the drill alternate ice and heat
When the swelling subsides warm up slowly and gently stretch
But drop down to some really light strings for awhile and it will reduce the pressure need from both hands..this will be a really good thing for you anyway. make your amp do the work for awhile..you will feel better and get a new understanding of dynamics
roburado
Well-known member
SharonG said:
Sharon, maybe try to make 2 of them. My ex-GF took two socks of mine, put rice in them. Sewed the ends up. With two you can maybe cover more surface area.
roburado
Well-known member
koogie2k said:I agree with the rest. Also, Phatduckk hit a good point...the John Petrucci Rock Discipline is fantastic for both guitar and bass as far as stretches and exercises that help. You may want to check it out.
Sorry to hear about your problem. Hope you get better soon.
One more +1 on the Petrucci DVD.
BP this is the one time I have to tell you I think you are wrong.
Sharon play when it hurts. Then figure out how to play without it hurting. If it doesn't hurt then you have learned if it hurts it will always bother you.
I have maybe walked too many miles in these shoes.
tk
Sharon play when it hurts. Then figure out how to play without it hurting. If it doesn't hurt then you have learned if it hurts it will always bother you.
I have maybe walked too many miles in these shoes.
tk
nicolasd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 157
i've been through this and out the other side and it scared the crap out of me.
i developed dequervain's tendonitis in my right hand a few years back, and the process could apply to anyone here experiencing pain.
first off you should NEVER play through pain. if you regularly have pain when playing, you need to change your technique. period. the phrase "no pain, no gain" does not apply when it comes to tendons and nerves. it means you're causing damage.
in my case, it was caused by overuse. i was working as an IT professional, playing in several bands that all had a busy few months simultaneously. i was doing a lot of computing at home as well and getting little sleep. so the recipe for my disaster was this: less than 6 hrs of sleep a night combined with every waking hour either on a computer keyboard or on a bass.
anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin and ibuprofen help but do not address the cause. i made sure to take ibuprofen (after vioxx was taken off the market) and ice down the trouble area after every bass session.
heat will relax muscles but inflame tendons.
ICE will reduce tendon/nerve inflammation.
i had a vacation (from the IT work) coming up in which i was going to be playing 3 hrs of covers a day at a resort. i was terrified of what would happen to my wrists. as luck would have it, there was no internet to be had, so i couldn't use my laptop for much. by the end of my time there, the problem had vanished. i realized what had happened.
my bass technique was fine. i never felt pain after playing. but all the activity on the computer keyboard and bass were tiring my muscles out, which made for lazy ergonomics at the office. that's where the damage was being done.
after returning to work i forced the mouse into my left hand to break up my routine. i got in the habit of putting my hands on my lap while reading, rather than hovering awkwardly over the keyboard and mouse.
i had lots of expensive physical therapy before my vacation including massage and topical application of steroidal cream via electrodes (fancy!) but all i needed was rest, rest and more rest.
REST!
REST!
since then, i know when i'm getting close to overdoing it. i can feel it going and i know to take breaks. i'm kind of a workaholic so now i make a point to say, "i'm not going to use my hands for a bit," and watch a movie or something. take a nap. read. etc.
REST!
ok. hope that helps. anyone here's welcome to PM me for further questions/explanations. happy to help.
-n.
i developed dequervain's tendonitis in my right hand a few years back, and the process could apply to anyone here experiencing pain.
first off you should NEVER play through pain. if you regularly have pain when playing, you need to change your technique. period. the phrase "no pain, no gain" does not apply when it comes to tendons and nerves. it means you're causing damage.
in my case, it was caused by overuse. i was working as an IT professional, playing in several bands that all had a busy few months simultaneously. i was doing a lot of computing at home as well and getting little sleep. so the recipe for my disaster was this: less than 6 hrs of sleep a night combined with every waking hour either on a computer keyboard or on a bass.
anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin and ibuprofen help but do not address the cause. i made sure to take ibuprofen (after vioxx was taken off the market) and ice down the trouble area after every bass session.
heat will relax muscles but inflame tendons.
ICE will reduce tendon/nerve inflammation.
i had a vacation (from the IT work) coming up in which i was going to be playing 3 hrs of covers a day at a resort. i was terrified of what would happen to my wrists. as luck would have it, there was no internet to be had, so i couldn't use my laptop for much. by the end of my time there, the problem had vanished. i realized what had happened.
my bass technique was fine. i never felt pain after playing. but all the activity on the computer keyboard and bass were tiring my muscles out, which made for lazy ergonomics at the office. that's where the damage was being done.
after returning to work i forced the mouse into my left hand to break up my routine. i got in the habit of putting my hands on my lap while reading, rather than hovering awkwardly over the keyboard and mouse.
i had lots of expensive physical therapy before my vacation including massage and topical application of steroidal cream via electrodes (fancy!) but all i needed was rest, rest and more rest.
REST!
REST!
since then, i know when i'm getting close to overdoing it. i can feel it going and i know to take breaks. i'm kind of a workaholic so now i make a point to say, "i'm not going to use my hands for a bit," and watch a movie or something. take a nap. read. etc.
REST!
ok. hope that helps. anyone here's welcome to PM me for further questions/explanations. happy to help.
-n.
