Klarinet Archive - Posting 000511.txt from 2005/03

From: despear2@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] wrist pain
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 23:07:03 -0500

I am someone who has dealt with wrist, hand, and back pain for quite some time.
I believe the best solution is just to get rid of the problem, and not to find
ways around it. A neck strap is only a temporary solution which transfers the
weight to the neck which then sometimes gives a player (I speak from
experience) back problems. I have found that the best solution is to go to a
physical therapist. And some of them are not as good as others, so you have to
be picky. Sports medicine physical therapists I have found to be quite
knowledgeable in the field of music injuries. They work wonders with
inflammation and muscle strengthening. I have also had wonderful discussions
with my PT in finding better ways to function while practicing and different
clarinet cases. I actually switched from a shoulder strap bag to a hiking
backpack with wide straps because of my heavy selmer recital set over one
shoulder was pinching some of my neck nerves sometimes impairing me from
opening doors.

Muscle pain hurts, and I know a lot of clarinet players who experience it, and
then reach for the neck strap or the new thumb rest. But then I know a lot of
others who found that the new thumb rest, which needed new screw holes is worse
than before, and now their clarinet has one too many screw holes near the thumb
rest. Or myself, the one who took on the neck strap, and now have been fixing
my back for quite some time from a handful of years of damage that I did.

Everyone is different, but sometimes a doctors advice is needed. So good luck to
you. Hope your wrists feel better.

Danielle

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