Klarinet Archive - Posting 000237.txt from 1996/09

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Conversation with Ricardo re: wrist problems
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:36:33 -0400

I had a very engaging and helpful discussion with Ricardo Morales this
afternoon regarding tendonitis. He had much to say about his own search
for effective means of treatment, running the gamut from general
practitioners to specific hand/arm therapists to alternative methods
such as acupuncture and acupressure.

One of the strongest recommendations Ricardo expressed (and much to my
delight, I might add) was in support of consulting a chiropractor for
initial treatment (he mentioned it before I even asked). He expressed
disdain for the hands-off passive methodology of the pill-popper
physicians, as well as for the opposite extreme of those who gravitate
immediately toward surgery as a cure.

Ricardo's individual successful experience revolved around obtaining expert
care from a qualified physical hand/arm specialist, as well as making
use of such helpful devices as the custom-made wrist brace (which he
stopped using last April) and the BG neckstrap (the flexible one, as
opposed to the rigid one - for those of you who are interested), which
he continues to wear. He stopped using the wrist brace only because it
broke, and finds that he no longer needs it because the pain in his arm
has been brought under control by the consistent attention he has given it.

Ricardo also made mention of his experience with an acupuncturist, citing
the beneficial release of tension in his wrist which resulted from
treatment. As an alternative, he suggested acupressure for those who are
a little squeamish about needles. Perhaps one of the simplest, yet for
him most effective, means of treatment has been the use of a massage
device. He related his experience of how using an electric massager on
his right forearm, consistently over a period of time, has had an inverse
effect on his need to see a physical therapist. He made a point of
specifying that not all massagers are alike and that it's important to
obtain one with variable speed, as well as with a heat function if
available, in order to be most effective.

As always, it was a pleasure speaking with Ricardo, although he sometimes
spoke with such speed and liveliness about the topic of tendonitis and
treatment that I had to ask him to repeat. The predominant impression I
received from Ricardo's personal account and advice was that expert
attention from the begining is very important. It was plain that he had
tried many avenues of treatment before finding what worked for him. At
each phase of his search, he followed recommendations from professionals,
right down to the design and construction of his wrist brace. It didn't
occur to me to ask for the number of the hand specialist who made his
brace, but Ricardo gave me contact information for Sean Osborne and I'll
be talking to him soon as well. Apparently, it was Sean who turned
Ricardo in the direction of consulting the woman who made his wrist
brace. He'll probably be able to give me her number. I'll be sure to
post any further enlightenments from my discussion with Sean, as well as
with his hand specialist in New York.

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