Although I agree that arthritis and carpal tunnel can arise and cause
problems, I still hold my ground back from when this thread first
started. Of course there are thousands of people who really do have
an illness of sorts which can prevent them from playing, especially
when they get older. I do not doubt or counter this fact. However, I
believe that many people are very willing to blame their problems on a
medical condition and don't consider that they might be doing
something wrong. Being a hypochondriac is an easy way out.
What helped me was to do light movement in my hands, elbows and
shoulders prior to playing. I play upright bass mainly which is a
much more physically challenging instrument (in my opinion), but I
also have a full time electric gig. I have to play for many hours
straight every day and I sometimes have pain, but only when I haven't
done my warm ups. Do 10 reps of a few different exercises i.e.,
making a fist and opening your hand, bending your elbow, rolling your
neck, shoulder circles. These warm ups are NOT stretches and you
shouldn't exert yourself when doing them. They are a means of easing
your muscles into more vigorous movement.
Again, try to think about what you could be doing wrong rather than
paying money to seek medical attention. Of course, if you suspect
that there is a real problem, see a doctor (obviously).


--- In bassplace@yahoogroups.com, Robert Smith <r_a_smith3530@...> wrote:
>
> Yes, as someone who's had CTS in both hands, and CTR done to both
hands, I can attest to what you say. Add in some beginning signs of
arthritis, and it makes for some interesting (not fun) times. +54 ;-)
>
> Rob Smith
>
>
> Thunder <lagnaf982032000@...> wrote:
> Hand cramps are usually caused by using excessive force to
press your strings. Try to relax. Look at sting heigh you may need to
lower action that is what i did. Now it takes less effort to press
strings. Search for hand exercise to keep fingers flexable. Playing
until the pain goes away isnt a good idea. Pain means your doing
damage, you may have increased your threshold for pain. But eventually
corpul tunnel will be a bigger problem. Age 53 :)
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