Klarinet Archive - Posting 000770.txt from 1996/02

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: Help! (Tendonitis)
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 1996 21:31:43 -0500

On Sun, 25 Feb 1996, Teri Herel wrote:

> As tendonitis has a
> tendoncy to recur, I also write with felt-tipped pens, carry all cases with a
> shoulder strap, and in general take it easy when doing non-clarinet related
> work. I still spend a minimum of fifteen minutes a day in front of my mirror
> checking things out. I have had no problems in the last six years. Oh yes,
> I also hold the horn in my knees - I started this when I switched my
> embouchre around the same time, but it does take the weight off of the wrist.

As someone who has been throught this, I have two observations.

1.) A shoulder strap has the potential to create tension in the shoulder,
which can transfer to the arm, wrist, fingers. My physical therapist
advised me to lose my shoulder strap for my case, and I did so. As she
pointed out, the muscles in the hand and arm are stronger (when properly
exercised) and can stand the weight of even a heavy double case better.

2.) Holding the horn with your knees rounds over the shoulder and
upper arm muscles, and overstretches those muscles, causing hand problems
to all but the few folks whose torso size and arm length create the
perfect posture with the clarinet in this position. Even if it doesn't
cause muscle problems, the E-B and F-C are affected for pitch and sound
quality.

In addition to working out the tension in the hands, wrists and arms,
exercise to strengthen these muscle groups, and proper posture ( and a
good chair, for when your playing is to be seated) go a long way to
eliminating muscle problems/tendonitis or any of its fancier or more
correct diagnoses.

David Niethamer

   
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