What to do? Programming, bass playing and RSI
I am a full time programmer, part time bass player and have recently started suffering from serious repetitive stress injury in my left wrist.
I've adjusted the ergonomics at my work place (and use Workrave for forced breaks every 35 minutes), make sure I move around and sit correctly.
During the last week, I've increased my bass playing times, as I'm getting ready for an audition tomorrow, and since earlier this week, I've had a seriously unbearably sore wrist.
Any suggestions or ideas welcome.
I do warm up for about 30 minutes before playing anything.
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Have you tried adjusting the position of your bass while playing? I find that the higher the bass sits, the less stress on my wrist. I could never understand how bassists like Krist Novoselic could possibly be comfortable with the bass slung so low.
Have a look at a Voodoo bass if you can find one. The "fanned" frets may help reduce the wrist strain a bit while still letting you play. They sound great (to me anyway) as well.
It only started to hurt after you began playing longer, and more often. So, the solution is to slow down a bit and be more consistent in your practicing. Shorter, gentler, but more often, giving your body a chance to adjust.
You may be overloading your body, if after weeks or months of not playing much, you suddenly begin to play for hours. As you get older, you have to think about 'easing into things' more sad to say.
Let your body heal for a while after the gig, if you can handle playing, and then do the daily/every other day practice thing, once the pain goes away.
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