Klarinet Archive - Posting 000435.txt from 1998/02

From: "Laate, Melissa" <laatem@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: tendonitis
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 13:52:19 -0500

I have tendonitis as well, and have found that a neckstrap used only
during practice greatly helped the problem! As opposed to quitting, I
think using a neck strap is great!
Melissa

> ----------
> From: vjupton@-----.edu]
> Reply To: klarinet@-----.us
> Sent: Thursday, February 05, 1998 8:26 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: tendonitis
>
> I am a first year music education major. Twards the end of my first
> semester I started experiencing pain when I was playing. Over winter
> break the pain was so bad that I went to a dr. who said that i had
> tendonitis. I was instructed to wear braces as much as possible and
> cut
> down on my practice time. A friend of mine who used to play bass
> clarinet for the richmond symphony also suggested that I get a
> neckstrap
> for my instrument to take the pressure off my hands. I have been back
> at
> school for four weeks and the pain has gotten worse and I have
> experienced some swelling. Last week my professor told me to stop
> wearing the braces and not to use the neck strap. Her reasoning for
> the
> latter was that if I use it now I will have to use it the rest of my
> playing career. Wearing the neckstrap doesn't bother me as I would
> rather be able to play than have to quit. I was wondering if anyone
> out
> there has experinced this and can give me some suggestions to help me
> get through it. I have been using a heating pad to relax the muscles
> and
> trying some flexing exercises. I am concerned because the pain is with
> me for most of the day no matter what I am doing. Thanks for your
> help.
> -Victoria
>