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Topic: finger numbness |
Nathan Guilford
From:
Oklahoma City
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Posted 7 Sep 2024 2:03 pm |
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I had a wierd thing happen after a gig. My index finger on my left hand went numb. It was a singer/songwriter gig where I played all the solos and did traditional steel and more blues (up and down the neck) type licks too. Is this a carpal tunnel thing? It stayed numb for the whole next day and seemed to be fine after that. Anybody have this happen before? Any advice from my steel bretheren? I play a 7/8 "12-string" bar that doesn't feel exceedingly heavy to me. Too light? Too heavy? IDK.
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'02 Carter S-12 uni
‘76 MSA D-12
www.toothbrushers.com |
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Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2024 3:54 pm
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Carpal tunnel would cause numbness in thumb-index-middle as well as radiating into the web of the palm.
You might have just overworked your index finger holding the bar a bit more than you’re used to, which can tighten the muscles that work the finger and put pressure on associated nerves. Continued overuse could certainly lead to carpal tunnel.
When you have to be on for every song of the night, make sure to take some time between every few songs to let go of the bar, relax, shake out your hand, and roll your shoulders out a couple times. Muscle tension is the musician’s worst enemy.
I’m not a doctor, but I have a life history of dealing with exactly the kind of trouble you describe, only much worse. I’m glad you recovered quickly. Take care of yourself. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 8 Sep 2024 12:14 am
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Strange that it should be your index finger, which does less than the thumb and middle (which actually hold the bar). Maybe you are using more pressure than necessary, or the heel of the bar is digging into an unfortunate spot, in which case a different bar might help. Fred is right about relaxation. I play a lot of instruments, and consciousness of posture and ergonomics has kept me free of niggles.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Justin Shaw
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 8 Sep 2024 4:53 am
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I agree with what has already been said.
I will add that you can train yourself to consciously reset your posture and relax your muscles even between phrases as you play. If you were to video yourself you would probably see some ergonomic problem develop as you played for an extended period. |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2024 12:14 pm
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Dr. Guilford,
I’ve had the same issue in years past but there was eventually a major index finger injury that solidified the need to change bars. I’d always played using a 7/8 bar but began having cramping in my palm and index finger. I switched to a 15/16 bar and found it helped substantially. I’d also tried 7/8 12 string bar, such as you’re using, but that didn’t alleviate the issue. The injury obviously exacerbated the challenge. But it was already present previously.
I suffered a crush injury to my index finger which required implanting a screw to be make it usable again. I switched to a one inch bar and managed to play a couple of gigs even with the bandaged up hand after the surgery. (Did quite well if I must say so myself  ) and stayed the course while recovering. I tried several times to return to a 7/8 but it was a no go! Even the 15/16 wasn’t pain free on my index or palm. Staying the course with the one inch bar since has worked well and no more pain or discomfort from playing. I still keep a 7/8 in reach and try once in awhile but quickly switch back to the one inch.
You also have to consider your profession may be a contributing factor that’s not showing up until you’re playing a long set and other instruments. We can’t escape the aging and odometer factor! 🙂
Are you still a member of the old original cone alnico JBL fan club? 🙂
Dave 🙂
Last edited by David Higginbotham on 18 Sep 2024 5:04 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 8 Sep 2024 12:22 pm
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I have the same issue intermittently. My buddy's Carter D10 is one inch under standard and I never notice it when playing that guitar, but my guitar is a Fender Artist D10 standard height. I almost always experience it when playing it for any length of time.
I guess it has something to do with the way my arms and hands position playing the standard height v. the shorter one.
Yes, I do have carpals but decided against surgery a few years ago however, the VA wants to do another study on my arthritic fingers and hands and re-investigate the CTS issue.
Meantime, I just deal with it.
The reason I mentioned about the 2 different guitar heights, is you might investigate your posture and/or playing position to see if you can mitigate the problem somewhat that way.
Best of luck. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2024 6:26 pm
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Mr. Overstreet, I can see where the shorter guitar is causing a problem.
Your wrist is like a pulley with tendons running around the wrist. With the guitar being lower you have to bend your hand back/up further for picks to clear strings. This position of your hand tightening the tendons that close your fingers. Makes it harder to open your fingers, To reach out with fingers to catch picks on strings. Can cause problems quick. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 10 Sep 2024 6:54 pm
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| No, you misunderstood Bobby. The problem is not present with the shorter Carter, it's the standard height Fender where I have the issue. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2024 8:06 pm
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| That is interesting, Is the seat height different, Or same seat with both guitars? Something is changing somewhere. Elbow angle, Maybe pedals making you sit closer or farther from the guitar. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 11 Sep 2024 12:11 am
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Between ages 40-60 I taught various instruments such as trumpet and clarinet where the fingers are used very intensively. I would insist on both wrists being straight. When the students thought I was being fussy I would ask them whether they still wanted to be playing when they were my age! Not something young people consider - they just want to do their own thing.
Apart from care of the wrists themselves, having them both straight benefits balance and posture, and the same obviously applies to pedal steel.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Dave Stagner
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2024 9:07 am
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I have a numb index finger on my picking hand. I've been going to a chiropractor, which has helped but not cured. I've had numbness in my other hand before, and a chiropractor was able to fix.
_________________
I don’t believe in pixie dust, but I believe in magic.
1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders |
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Dennis Lee
From:
Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2024 3:41 pm Numb Finger
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| Nathan, it's more than likely neck and shoulder issues. I have experienced this. Actually the best relief I got was doing "Arnie" pushups using two chairs and doing pushups between them where you stretch lower that you would doing a pushup on the floor. For me, it works! |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 20 Sep 2024 11:45 am Re: finger numbness
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| Nathan Guilford wrote: |
| I had a wierd thing happen after a gig. My index finger on my left hand went numb. It was a singer/songwriter gig where I played all the solos and did traditional steel and more blues (up and down the neck) type licks too. Is this a carpal tunnel thing? It stayed numb for the whole next day and seemed to be fine after that. Anybody have this happen before? Any advice from my steel bretheren? I play a 7/8 "12-string" bar that doesn't feel exceedingly heavy to me. Too light? Too heavy? IDK. |
I'd see a chiropractor.
Sitting is not healthy and playing steel and worse even pedal steel is a challenge as far as posture goes.
At 58 I do stretching exercises on the floor after each hour of playing. It's been life-changing.
... J-D.
_________________
__________________________________________________________
Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2024 6:24 pm
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For some people, drinking dill pickle juice or a spoonful of mustard will bring bring relief in fairly short order. Don't ask me why.
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 20 Sep 2024 6:47 pm
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| Clyde Mattocks wrote: |
| For some people, drinking dill pickle juice or a spoonful of mustard will bring bring relief in fairly short order. Don't ask me why. |
I remember when BE was on here writing, fairly early on he complained about his hands hurting, to the point he considered maybe having to call it quits on playing.
Glucosamine (rebuilds joints), was the new thing in the health stores and a couple of us suggested it to him on here and he took it and played over Decade longer.
What's Glucosamine... well, just eat the shrimps WHITH the "hide"... it's all first grade Glucosamine.
Vinegar has great benefits, especially Apple Cider Vinegar. Most while still un-explained, is well documented. I got over anti-acid pills with ACV.
I would imagine that pickle juice may be related. As long it's not that sugar loaded stuff some super markets peddle, it certainly can't hurt... never seen anybody OD on pickles.
... J-D.
_________________
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Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Kenny Davis
From:
Great State of Oklahoma
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Posted 20 Sep 2024 8:13 pm
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Nathan, I’m going to go out on a limb here…Could it have been you played way too much Blues that night??? 
On a serious note (and off topic), do you still have your Bakersfield tribute thing still?
_________________
Best lyric in a country song: "...One more, Moon..." |
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