Klarinet Archive - Posting 000502.txt from 2000/10

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Headaches/TMJ
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 09:07:53 -0400

--- Bob Shaw <theshaws@-----.com> wrote:

> I experience the same symptoms, but they seem to lessen when I play
> my clarinet. Wierd, huh?

Oh, I don't know if it's so weird. Playing clarinet can have some
positive psycho-somatic effects on a person. Maybe practicing re-
laxes you a little, allowing the dilated blood vessels in your skull
to return to normal. Who can say? Don't ask why! :-)

A malady for which clarinet playing has proven to be a definite ben-
efit for me is TMJ. The act of maintaining the jaw in a relaxed but
open position has the effect of relaxing the muscular tension that
causes my TMJ to flare up in the first place. I now simulate that
effect by dropping my jaw a little and laying my tongue along the
floor of my mouth when I feel tension arise in my jaw, wherever I
happen to be. This seems to stem the stiffness and pain associated
with the syndrome. 'Anybody else discover this helpful side-effect?

-- Neil

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