....... I think I've got it
Over the course of my bass-playing career, I've periodically had my left hand "clamp up" on me. No biggie, really only happened about once a year over the last 20 years or so and only when really digging in for extended periods of time or during weeks of back-to-back gigs. Now I'm playing upright regularly and it's happening on almost every gig to one degree or another. Last night's show was no exception - after a particularly grueling first set (very physical, lots of sweating, juggling back-up vocals with some pretty intricate bass-lines, lots of Rockabilly slap), my hand literally stopped working early on in the 2nd set. Clamped tight like a vise around the neck and I couldn't free my fingers up for any dexterity at all. I managed to just slide my hand up and down the neck to hit the notes I needed and finished up the song. Between songs, I gave my left-hand fingers a good stretch backwards and felt the pressure release a bit. Eased up on my attack and kept on playing. It was still there but at least I had some dexterity back. About three songs later - back with a vengeance!
This sucks so huge, you have no idea. I've been having the time of my (bassplaying) life on upright, invested hours and mucho $$$ and now it looks like I'm going to have to take a break for therapy of some sort.
It seems to be localized strictly in the left hand index, middle and ring fingers, numbness in the deep tissue of my inner fore-arm, feels like someone's stretching the ligaments. I've read a little about the condition and I'm not one to self-diagnose but this looks eerily familiar.
Anyone been through this ..... any suggestions?