tedmanzie Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I've played guitar for 20 years, and have suffered minor RSI issues in my left (fretting) hand for about 10 years, however I managed to clear those up pretty much by sticking exclusively to electric guitar (lighter strings) and stretching. Due to my intensive use of mouse in my job, my right arm started to flare up about 4 years ago (forearm + inner elbow). I have managed to get this under control with swimming and using a tablet+pen instead of mouse. Stopped guitar and started playing [b]bass[/b] properly about a year ago. My left hand is still ok despite the heavier strings, BUT my right shoulder has gradually got worse and worse. I play exclusively with a pick, and it seems like the extra effort required to pick bass strings is causing issues in the shoulder. I am getting sharp pains in my neck/shoulder (Trapezius muscle I think?) feels like knots, and can restrict my right arm when i lift it. This is getting worse so that now my whole shoulder and upper back feels like its solidifying... Swimming helps but won't clear it up. Went to the GP and he said 'its not too bad take some of these (iboprufen) make sure you sit correctly at work'. Not very helpful, and I think its more serious than that. I think its something to do with the shoulder muscles being under tension when playing, but the actual movements are very small. Similar to mouse RSI. I know some of these threads exist, but this is so specific to neck/shoulder that I wondered if any sufferers have any tips? Cheers Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I get shoulder pain when playing with a new band or when I don't know the set that well. The reason? I'm tense! I know you've probably been told this but concentrate on getting a good posture, getting the bass at the right height, in the right position so that you can relax while you play (position the bass so it comes to you - the opposite of what Peter Hook does!). Then concentrate on relaxing when you play. Its all in the technique, and the more relaxed you are the easier it is to play! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 GPs treat the symptoms not the cause. You could well end up with being recommended carpal tunnel surgery next - or cortizone injections. I've had a fair few injuries over the years, some from other causes (cycle crash for eg.) some that affected playing. (Twice had fingertips go numb = trapped nerve in the neck for eg.). A sports physio I knew cured my ex's RSI - when she was told to "cope with it" by her GP. Haven't had one yet that a good sports physio couldn't fix, ask for recommendations off folk you know, or see if your local rugby or football team's physio has an open surgery day. You're right that it's been covered before, a few times, so you will get some who have been fixed up surgically, or who have had the injections. IMHO it's better to avoid surgery or chemicals in your body until all else has failed. It's just a choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [url="http://www.notreble.com/column/health-fitness-for-the-working-bassist/"]Here's[/url] a good article (with pictures) that might help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 thanks, good tips. i tend to practice with the bass on my knee with no strap, i wondered if that's not helping. do you guys always use a strap to hold it in place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Ha! The tendonitis one reminded me off another one. I didn't know what it was; turned out I had three tendons in my forearm that had fused together (RSI). GP said surgery, physio said "manipulation". Over the course of three sessions I had very deep massage to re-separate them & exercises to do in-between times. One of which is to lean against a wall with hands flat to the wall & try to swivel the arms as much as possible. The other was flexing the wrist as far up then down repeatedly, all of them with pauses at each furthest stretch. That was about 5 years ago - been problem free since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAlonBass Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I don't know if it's any help, but I used a plectrum exclusively until I got Tennis Elbow a few years back. It kept returning, despite injections, physio et al, and I ended up having to revert to fingerstyle. Not had a problem since. Worth a try, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1361787973' post='1990660']I am getting sharp pains in my neck/shoulder (Trapezius muscle I think?) feels like knots, and can restrict my right arm when i lift it. This is getting worse so that now my whole shoulder and upper back feels like its solidifying... Swimming helps but won't clear it up.[/quote] If you've got a restricted range of motion in one arm it could be what's called shoulder impingement syndrome. I had it quite bad last year and it took a few months of physio to put right (taking it seriously, doing all the exercises they told me to do, working hard on improving my general posture at work and while driving). [quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1361787973' post='1990660']Went to the GP and he said 'its not too bad take some of these (iboprufen) make sure you sit correctly at work'.[/quote] If you're eligible for NHS treatment you can refer yourself for a course of physiotherapy. Ask your GP for the form or go pick one up from the physio department at your local hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I had tennis elbow in my left arm for years then I switched from 6 string to bass and it's completely gone. I'll also second going fingerstyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 All of the above is very good advice IMHO especially bensabre. Posture and physio is the way to go. Do you go to a gym ? If so, seeing a personal trainer may help. Yes your posture is wrong. See how Billy Sheehan holds the bass. That is how you play bass at all times, playing Billy's technique tho' is another thing;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1361789223' post='1990701']...do you guys always use a strap to hold it in place? [/quote] I always have a strap, for bass or guitar. The instrument is always supported in it's optimum position, and never 'held' by my hands, so no effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I have a bad right shoulder and find that playing with the bass strung low, with my right arm virtually fully extended is the best position. Any lateral/horizontal movement of my right arm affects this, if kept in that position for a long time, such as playing. It`s not so easy on the fretting hand, but I put up with that so as I`m not in permanent pain. So really, try all sorts of positions for strap height. It maybe when you`re practising with it on your knee it`s too high - like what I found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Thanks, this is all helpful stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 3/4 years ago I had an episode of 'frozen shoulder/neck' on my left side. Really couldn't stand for any length of time with a standard 'Fender Styled' bass. I ended up buying a Status Streamline - the combination of lightness and the fact that I could position the neck at any angle and it would stay there worked well for me. After about 3 months the problem subsided so i was able to go back to Fender/MM but I still tend to use the Status on longer sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 It would be a good idea to have your doctor refer you to a physiotherapist or some kind of specialist. All the advice given so far is excellent, but you require medical advice for your particular problem. The practical things you can do would be to always use a strap when playing. As has been mentioned already, be aware of your posture and try to have the body relaxed. Some kind of a harness strap might be a good investment also (see link...this particular one is expensive though ). [url="http://www.gruvgear.com/duostrap-signature"]http://www.gruvgear.com/duostrap-signature[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1361800760' post='1991033'] It would be a good idea to have your doctor refer you to a physiotherapist or some kind of specialist. [/quote] Just FTR as I mentioned above you don't need a letter of referral for physiotherapy, you can refer yourself, just fill out a form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I find I can struggle when sitting down with a bass and when playing guitar if the strap in not adjusted perfectly, I think it is a lot down to posture and the correct playing positions and as other posts have said being tense. I only ever had one bass lesson many years ago (Eddie Reader's bassist) who took one look at the fretting hand and general posture and basically said it was crap and if I wanted to play to a decent standard go away and adopt the posture / fretting hand that he showed me....It took 2 years to really get it ingrained.....the best bass lesson I ever had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1361787973' post='1990660']I am getting sharp pains in my neck/shoulder (Trapezius muscle I think?) feels like knots ............... my whole shoulder and upper back feels like its solidifying... Swimming helps but won't clear it up.[/quote] Missed this earlier; this sounds a lot like the lower back pain I had. It was caused by stiffening of the muscular fascia (the yellow "sheets" you see in meat in the butchers window sometimes, it's what separates different muscles as they slide against each other). My physio said they should have the flexibility of a Fairy Liquid* bottle (other detergents* are available) but if you spend too long in the same position; at a computer desk or playing bass??? they stiffen up causing pain as you try to flex them. The swimming helping was exactly what he recommended (my GP seriously recommended ballroom dancing for the same reason). Obviously my physio was the expert not me, but the resemblance is incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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