I've developed Tennis Elbow! Should I change my technique?

[BigJim]

As the title suggests, I've got Tennis Elbow which is bad for me as I gig 5-8times a week!!

Has anyone got any suggestions as to what I should do? Any suggestions would be greatly received.

Cheers,

BigJim

[BILL POSTERS]

Horrible isnt it ?

I had a bad bout of it a few years ago, which was partly responsible for me getting booted out of the band I was with at the time. My GP offered me an injection direct into the joint, which apparently not all GPs will do for some reason, I declined as I didnt have a band anymore, but would certainly have considered it if I was gigging regularly.

But I would be a bit concerned about why some doctors dont like it, and do a bit of research first.

[gjones]

I had it and it took about 3 months to clear up. It primarily affects people over 35 who attempt unaccustomed exercise and end up overdoing it and tearing the fibres in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscle to the elbow (guilty as charged you honor). Luckily where the fibre was torn didn't affect my ability to play bass. If it is affecting your playing I recommend adjusting the position of your bass until it (hopefully) doesn't cause discomfort any longer.

Edited July 10, 2012 by gjones

[ezbass]

Got mine through an over enthusiastic session rock climbing. Gold made it sore, as would a long gig. Sometimes these injuries improve on their own, but as I refused to stop any of my activities completely, my wasn't going anywhere (although it didn't get worse). Eventually went down the cortisone injection route, working like a treat now. YMMV.

[Deep Thought]

I used to get it quite badly, had a fair bit of time off work with it. I had two steroid injections, which gave temporary relief but it came back again. I went to a physio who got me doing stretch exercises on my forearm tendons, plus strength exercises for the muscles, and I hardly suffer from it at all now. If I get the odd twinge, a few stretches will sort it.

[lettsguitars]

Change your tennis racket.

[Lozz196]

They certainly are a racket, the amount they charge for them

[Coilte]

[quote name='Deep Thought' timestamp='1341342728' post='1717457']
I went to a physio
[/quote]

This is what I'd recommend. As far as the bass is concerned, you could try experimenting with strap height etc. However, if you are gigging 5-8 times a week, perhaps this is the body's way of saying... "this is too much, I've had enough". In this case, no amount of technique changing will make any difference. The only thing that will, is rest ( or cut down drastically on the playing time), and whatever exercises the physio might give.

[Bilbo]

I got this bad over two years ago when I started the double bass (my own fault, I did a gig and overdid it) and it took about a year to disappear although I was playing throughout that year. There are some stretching exercises that I used which I got from Doube Bassist magazine (PM me if you (or anyone else) want(s) a copy - I would have to photocopy it and post it the old fashioned way).

In short, it was a case of recognising the vulnerability and managing it carefully over the healing period. I read a book called Alexander Technique Approach for Double Bass which I found useful also as it offers a 'whole boday' approach to the instrument

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexander-Technique-Approach-Double-ebook/dp/B004JKMSSE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341395765&sr=1-1

[skej21]

Have some Deuce. That should sort it




I'll get me coat!

[funkle]

[quote name='BRANCINI' timestamp='1341324636' post='1717029']
Horrible isnt it ?

I had a bad bout of it a few years ago, which was partly responsible for me getting booted out of the band I was with at the time. My GP offered me an injection direct into the joint, which apparently not all GPs will do for some reason, I declined as I didnt have a band anymore, but would certainly have considered it if I was gigging regularly.

But I would be a bit concerned about why some doctors dont like it, and do a bit of research first.
[/quote]

There was a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2006. (http://www.bmj.com/content/333/7575/927) It showed that outcomes longer term with steroid injections were poorer than with physio or anti-inflammatories. Hence most GPs have moved their practice away from providing injections - they do work short term, but longer term seem to be linked to more pain/poorer function.

Tennis elbow is an overuse injury.

The phsyio exercises needed to treat tennis elbow can be found at [url="http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/sports_health/tennis_elbow_exercises/."]http://www.summitmed...bow_exercises/.[/url] There is a nice explanation of the condition at [url="http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/sports_health/tennis_elbow/."]http://www.summitmed.../tennis_elbow/.[/url]

All best.

Pete

Edited July 5, 2012 by funkle

[BassBunny]

+1 for the Physio suggestion. I had it recently and a couple of trips to a physio and then leaving armed with some excercises really helped.
I took what the physio had to say on board and adjusted my strap position and also looked at my technique. At the end of the day it is a similar condition to RSI.
The other thing that really seems to have helped, and stopped it coming back, is sticking with 1 bass. I found that the Marlleaux neck, which is really slim, is the most comfortable and if I go back to a thicker P-type neck, it aches like hell after 1 gig.

Edited July 9, 2012 by BassBunny

[Walker]

I went to Physio with similar prob, told me it was golfers elbow (no, I don't play) - he rubbed it for 40 mins, strapped it and charged me £45. It was fine 3 days later.

I can't believe I put up with the pain for so long.