Klarinet Archive - Posting 000104.txt from 2007/09

From: "noel beck" <nbeck@-----.mt>
Subj: Re: [kl] shoulder injury
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:44:46 -0400

Hi
I do some EMG work and have worked on quite a number of shoulder injuries.

The issue is mainly what type of shoulder injury. Mainly one should follow the rule that if no
nerve is being inpinched then it would be a healthy exercise to play the clarinet. Base would be
even better since it has a support. I am not too sure how many neurosurgeons understand the
requirements of a clarinet player....... be careful with operations.

Noel

Donna Higgins wrote:
> About 10 days ago, I fell off a horse and tore some ligaments and
> tendons in my left shoulder. No broken bones. I had an MRI Friday and
> am seeing a specialist on Monday, but I don't think he has any special
> knowledge about musicians issues, and when I asked my regular doctor
> about when I could start playing, she just said "if it hurts, don't do
> it." Well, by the time I realize it hurts, it's too late to not do it,
> ya know?
>
> Am I completely out of my mind to think I might try playing some bass
> clarinet this week? I use a peg and no neck strap, so my left hand
> won't need to bear any weight, and my fingers are fine. Obviously,
> someone would need to put the horn together for me. I'm wearing a sling
> most of the time, but my doctor said to remove it a few times each day
> to move my arm around to avoid the shoulder joint completely freezing up.
> So, if I'm supposed to be working it a little bit each day, why not toss
> in a few minutes of playing time? Or should I forget that I even play
> clarinet for the next two months?
>
> Thanks,
> Donna
>
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