Klarinet Archive - Posting 000526.txt from 2003/01

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [kl] Thumb Pain
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 21:15:45 -0500

Thank you very much to all those who offered suggestions and personal
stories illuminating other related problems and solutions. Any more
ideas will certainly be welcome. I'll be asking my doctor to check for
arthritis, perhaps ask him for a stronger anti-inflammatory and perhaps
ask for a referral to an appropriate professional. Tomorrow I'm going
to have my splint checked because I think it's been exacerbating the
original condition.

Thanks again to all!

Audrey

Kaitlin Costello wrote:
>
> I have a problem simular to what you describe-- however it turned out to be
> accute arthritus. It is partially from many years of clarinet and even more
> so on a family level, as arthritus has effected almost all the women in my
> family.
>
> On an odd note , I went against conventional medication. I've been using
> herbal theripy , along with physical theripy ( I have this problem with most
> of my joints :( You might consider taking a walk off the traditional road.
> However, as always, I am not a medical practitioner and can only offer my
> experience with such.
>
> I hope you find something to help ease the pain.
>
> Regards,
> Kaitlin
>
> >From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.ca>
> >Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
> >To: klarinet@-----.org
> >Subject: [kl] Thumb Pain
> >Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 06:38:38 -0800
> >
> >I wonder if some of the list members with experience might comment on my
> >situation. I have thumb pain (at the point base of my right thumb,
> >where it meets the hand) when I grip things. It is also noticeably
> >swollen at that spot (on the inside, towards the web between the thumb
> >and the index finger). The pain occurs when I play clarinet since the
> >thumb opposes (resists) what the right hand fingers are doing. The
> >weight of the clarinet is not at issue here - I've always played with
> >the bell on my knees and have recently tested this issue several times.
> >Pain is now happening whe I grip a pen/pencil and write for only a few
> >moments. A physiotherapist said I have tendonitis in my thumb and
> >reccomended no playing, icing the area and taking Ibuprofen. Didn't
> >help. The following week it was worse. I had tried not to use my
> >thumb, but that was next to impossible. Then he made a splint for my
> >thumb and said to wear it for two days (daytime only), then only as
> >needed, but the problem is still there. I think the splint is making it
> >worse. I see him again on Wednesday and would love to have some ideas
> >from you to take with me. I get to try playing (with the splint)
> >tomorrow night, but I'm not optimistic. At this point, he's ruled out
> >joint problems, but I'm wondering if I should go see my doctor...
> >
> >Can anyone shed some light on this gripping (no pun intended) problem?
> >
> >TIA!
> >
> >Audrey
> >
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