Klarinet Archive - Posting 000153.txt from 1996/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Neckstraps
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 22:53:50 -0400

On Tue, 6 Aug 1996, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

> The fact that a
> condition is finally DIAGNOSED has nothing to do with the fact that it
> exists. People have been having strokes and heart attacks for millenia.
> It is only relatively recently that an "attack of apoplexy" can be
> differentiated into stroke, heart attack, etc. Musicians (and, indeed, all
> other professionals) have always had medical problems specific to their
> conditions.

All very true, and yet, it seemed to me that about 15 years ago, we had
an "epidemic" of TMJ (Tempora-Mandibular Joint Syndrome, I think) among
musicians, which of course is impossible due to the fact that it is not,
or should not be contagious. It seemed that a quarter of our woodwind
students suddenly couldn't play for months at a time, and yet I had never
heard of the syndrome, or even anyone who experienced the symptoms in my
30+ years in music.

Now, the "diseases ju jour" are CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome), RUI,
(repetitive use injury) and other acronyms which I can't keep up with.
I'm certainly not denying that the conditions exist, but I also can't
explain the fact that in the 1950's and 60's, I was acquainted with
literally hundreds, perhaps thousands of woodwind players in school and
professional situations, and never heard one of them complain of such
symptoms.

Perhaps someone can help me understand this.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************