Klarinet Archive - Posting 000073.txt from 1995/04

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: tendonitis
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 1995 07:18:44 -0400

Cindy,
I have been battling some sort of incipient tendinitis for the
past few years and it is, in fact, epidemic among clarinetists and
oboists. The reason is that the thumb rest is in the wrong position! I
wrote a letter to the editor of the Clarinet Magazine last year stating
this. One quick partial solution is to get an adjustable thumb rest or
do what I did, which is to move my thumb rest not only UP but TO THE LEFT
a little. While I was at it, I put some cork on the instrument under my
thumb, which made the clarinet fatter and more comfortable in my hand.
And yes, you should lay off the instrument if at all possible to give
your wrist a rest, horrible though the thought may be. Remember, its your
carreer! I was able to take the summer largely off and by the time I
came back to the instrument, my wrist was much improved. And with the
adjustments I made to the instrument, I have since had only brief twinges
and no real pain.
As a last resort, you should see a hand specialist someone who
does alot af stress-related-injury work.
Don't just content yourself with a GP. Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel are
NOT to be trifled with, especialy when your livelihood is at stake.

On Thu, 6 Apr 1995, Cynthia Kay Matthews wrote:

> I've been having a problem with my right wrist for the past couple of
> years, and recently it has started to get worse. I use a neck strap, and
> that does help some. I went to the doctor and he prescribed Motrin
> and recommended that I rest it for about a week. However, I have too
> many committments this month to take any time off from playing. Does
> anyone else have this problem and know of any solutions?
> Cindy Matthews
> matthew3@-----.edu
>