Klarinet Archive - Posting 000187.txt from 1996/09

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Authoritative advice needed
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:35:47 -0400

Everybody please read this carefully and tell me whatever thoughts come
to mind which might be helpful - even ideas not addressed here. I know
we've discussed some of this many times, but this time I will *really
really* pay close attention.

I have begun to experience pain in my right wrist, very likely due to a
dramatic increase in the duration of my practice routine over the past
three weeks. In 17 years of playing, I've never had increasing pain like
this. Soreness, sure, but not pain which recurrs every time I practice
and worsens over time.

I haven't taken Advil or anything for it yet. Those of you who are
experienced with this - or better yet, physicians on the list - please
refresh my memory: does Advil diminish..or aggravate..the probable
inflamation in my wrist? Should I consider one of the other OTC
products, i.e.; Tylenol or Aleve or Bayer? Should I avoid aspirin? What
is the effect of acetominophen?

Beyond this, I know from the many others I've spoken to that icing the
wrist will very likely help, so I plan to give this a try. My gut
instinct tells me also that a well-chosen wrist brace will help a great
deal, serving to bolster the wrist and afford it greater stability when
supporting the instrument for the long periods that I practice. So I
need another piece of authoritative information, either from a physician
on the list, or from somebody who has experienced this and has been
successful with a wrist brace: is there a specific kind, brand name, or
model which is known to have the right effect - perhaps one which has
been used successfully by one of you on this list? I remember from
conversations with Ricardo Morales and Sean Osborne that their braces are
custom made, but I've misplaced my contact information for them. Could
anybody provide me their contact info again? Hopefully there is something
available commercially which will alleviate my problem. Should it be
something loose-fitting but rigid? Should I be concerned about restriction
of blood flow from a brace which fits snugly?

I know that what I should do is consult a physician directly, but I'm
exploring this avenue first because I suspect very strongly that the crux of
the problem rests in the area of physical relaxation. My body is too tense
from personal stress, and I'm seeking ways of minimizing the harmful
side-effects of that stress while I alter my mindset and lifestyle...in
order to effect greater relaxation during practice and performance.

The increase in practice time is concurrent with the increase in my
performance activities. I'm teaching more. I'm gigging more. I've got
an audition for yet another orchestra in 4 days. Thus, with the increase
in music to be learned, I'm putting in many daily hours on both Bb and
bass clarinet (bass has problems of its own related to neck angle, but no
wrist problem since I'm not supporting the instrument). I don't
anticipate a decrease in activity or practice time over the next four
months, so I desire to take quick and effective action. Please respond
genuinely with whatever you've got.

Sincere thanks,

Neil

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neil Leupold
Southern Methodist University
Meadows School of the Arts
nleupold@-----.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~