Klarinet Archive - Posting 000370.txt from 1998/10

From: Terri Oda <spot@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Carpel Tunnel Syndrom -Reply
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 17:12:29 -0400

> flute, pencil or drinking glass with her right hand. Our chiropractor helped
> her in three sessions, no surgery, no unusual "back-cracking" and she has not
> had any re-occurring problem for two years. Surgery may be the option you
> choose, but I do recommend trying a chiropractor first; if it doesn't work, try
> another option. Of course, insurance plays a big role in the option you choose.
> Our Oklahoma State Employees Insurance covers chiropractic care, but I know
> that some plans and certain HMOs do not. Good luck, and whatever you do, don't
> give up the instrument!

I had tendonitus and still use a neckstrap (Less because I have to than
because I'm scared to try without yet) -- I get some funny looks, but
it's no worse than the funny looks I get when I play bass clarinet, so... :)
(Incidentally, Bass clarinet is ideal 'cause you don't have to hold the
weight of the instrument... but carrying the darned thing from place to
place is a bit of a challenge if you hands aren't happy!)

You can also try physiotherapy, when you're exploring possibilities, and one
of the doctors I saw suggested that I try a sports medicine clinic because
they're used to people who want to get right back to what they were doing.
My music teacher suggested that I look up one of these places that
specializes in musicians' health, for similar reasons. My name happened to
come up for physio fairly quickly, so I didn't really explore those other
options. The combination of doing physio (wrist excercises are good!),
having the help of my friends (who didn't mind helping me by taking notes,
opening doors, and carrying things), and having understanding fellow
musicians who understood that I had to take breaks more frequently during
rehersal, really made a difference, but I *did* have to re-adjust myself to
take it easy on the wrists.

Of course, CTS is quite different from tendonitus, and finding a doctor who
will accept that you have to keep playing is the *most* important thing...
but it never hurts to find ways to make things easier on you!

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