Klarinet Archive - Posting 000364.txt from 1998/07

From: <CmdrHerel@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tendonitis
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 02:00:12 -0400

In a message dated 98-07-15 01:28:35 EDT, cabes@-----.com writes:

<< Are there any exercises I can do to relieve the pain and/or strengthen my
hands without stressing my wrist/hands too much? Also, is there any way to
prevent tendinitis in the future? NOTE: From here on I will be using a BG
neck strap when I play. >>

Yes there are exercises, yes there are ways to play to not reinjure yourself.
(In many cases.)

My first advice would be to get a different doctor - a specialist in musicians
and related injuries. The University of Connecticut Health Center in
Farmington has a new clinic for this purpose, and I've heard wonderful things
about it. There is also something in Boston, if I remember correctly, and I'm
sure there are others.

Your case sounds much worse than mine was, so I'm not going to offer much
advice beyond that. I had a mild case about ten years ago and went totally
diligent in learning the correct way to move my hands in order to take away
all stress of motion. As a result, I've got great hand position and can play
well. :)

Some non-clarinet things I did as well was to use felt tip pens for all my
writing, I put shoulder straps on everything I carry (but be careful, as some
injuries are back related, and this would be a very BAD thing to do) and I now
use an ergonomic keyboard for all my typing.

I also play with the bell in my knees (although I have the excuse of playing
double-lip for that...) and find that this takes away much more of the weight
of the horn than a neck strap. I'm short, though, so the bell in my knees is
very comfortable. Might not work well if you're tall.

Whatever you do, don't take it upon yourself as to HOW to fix these things.
You need a specialist for tendinitis, and you need a teacher who can teach you
to use your hands correctly. Playing without tension is NOT a mind-over-
matter relaxation thing - Your hands have to be in exactly the right place for
there to be no extra stress.

Once you've had tendinitis, it has a tendency to recur. So the habits you
start today, you'll be doing for a long time. I'm still very careful today,
ten years later.

Teri Herel

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