Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2013 Latin Issue | Page 57

the forearm, which may be tight

well, as it releases muscular

and contributing to the problem.

problems, resets the body to it’s

I would then stretch out the hand

proper alignment, and helps to

and wrist areas, opening up the

keep it that way by relaxing the

tunnel itself and adjusting the

musculature yet again before

hand and wrist to keep it open

releasing the patient.

and release any dysfunction I

Sometimes, especially if

have found there. I would follow

the muscles are really tight

this with ultrasound to keep the

or sensitive, they don’t want

inflammation down. If we

to be heated, and stretched,

did this a few times and it didn’t

and pushed on, etc., and will

seem to help, I would then try

become tighter as a way of

acupuncture, which also works

expressing this. In this case I

very well. I would not apply ice,

find acupuncture to be a great

because that makes muscles

alternative. Once you insert the

tighten, and I am trying to get

needle in the proper place(s),

them to relax. Ice is good for

and leave them there, the body

reducing inflammation right after

senses the initial insertion but

a problem occurs, or to reduce

gets used to the sensation, as

pain especially after a gig, but

when done properly it does not

isn’t going to heal anything in

hurt. The needle is then left

this case. Stretching is good

there, and when placed in the

too, but if you give people too

muscle correctly provides a slow

many exercises, stretches and

sustained release of the tight

instructions right off the bat, they

muscle allowing it to relax without

won’t do any of them, so they

aggravating it further.

should be given a little at a time.

When seeking a health

For general problems, this

care practitioner to assist with

kind of treatment protocol works

playing related injuries, it is

AUG 2013 / BASSMUSICIANMAGAZINE.COM