Klarinet Archive - Posting 000551.txt from 1997/01

From: "William D. Edinger" <wde1@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: To be or not to be
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 13:49:34 -0500

Nancy,

As middle age has begun to take its toll, I too have had what seems to
be arthritis in the backs of my hands, but not anywhere near the extent
that you have had. It became most apparent during a long stint (about
18 mos.) playing principally bari sax and some bass clarinet. I found
that the bigger hand-spread and the longer distances you have to push
those heavier keys, especially in rapid passages, were what especially
caused stabbing pains and cramps. So switching to larger instruments
may have just the opposite effect that you want - I hadn't had any
trouble with Bb clarinet or flute at the time, but it seemed to be on
the horizon.
I got relief (a cure?) by doing a daily exercise designed for carpal
tunnel syndrome victims: hold a light dumbbell palm-down, drooping over
the edge of a padded bench or whatever, with the arm firmly supported,
and slowly (definitely slowly) roll the barbell up (extension), a swing
of about 90 degrees or less, and then slowly lower it again. Do this
about 10 times for each hand, using a fairly light weight/dumbbell
(depending on the individual, but probably around five pounds for most
people). Then flip your arm over and do the curls the other way
(flexion) - flexion seems much easier, so I do around 20. In a few days
I saw improvement, and after a few weeks, and now about 9 months later,
I have no problems at all, although a sense of slight stiffness is just
barely apparent. I have a sense that my hair is graying too, but what
the heck. I also have stopped wearing a wrist watch and my wedding ring
too, for the same reason.
My problem was NOT CTS or the degree of arthritis which you describe,
which are much worse, but may be similar to what others are experiencing
from aging alone. Some day I'm going to pose a question to the list
that goes like: When do you know it's time to put the horn away for the
last time? Can some of us avoid that happening (I mean other than by
dying first, of course)? I have played next to another player who wore
two hearing aids, and he still had a good time (but _I_ didn't).
Fortunately, I think we're both a long way away from that.

Best of luck,

Bill ("I'm not a _real_ doctor") Edinger