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Help with pain in the thumb area

Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-04 01:24

a clarinetist I have worked with is having problems with her thumb area. It seems to pop when /she plays and she has a hard time holding her instrument up because of the pain. does anyone have any suggestions to help this player get back to the normal rutine of practicing?

Perhaps would anyone know any doctors that specialize in helping musicians?

thanks,
James

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Re: Help with pain in the thumb area

Author: abrogard
Date: 2003-06-05 00:38

I just posted on another thread about this - 'my thumb is hurting more than usual'.

You'll see a few posting there.

Generally they suggest moving the rest and padding it and I can testify these things help.

I have used a home made leather tube around the thumb, too and that really helped a lot - the thumb rest was moved up and turned over (to get it even higher) and padded and still there was pain and discomfort until I used the leather tube.

But today I don't use the rest at all. I have taken it off. I find this rather radical step to be the best thing.

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Re: Help with pain in the thumb area

Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-06-05 06:50

The best advice when experiencing pain is to first determine if there is an underlying injury and that is best done by consulting a physician and occupational therapist.

However a possible quick fix that works for me is to purchase a narrow ace wrap to support the thumb while playing. Start at the wrist, take a couple of turns, bring it over the top of the hand first then between the thumb and hand- under the thumb, then lifting the thumb, loop it back over the top of the hand. You may need to make more than one loop around the thumb. Finish off the wrap at the wrist. This will support the thumb without interfering with the fingers.

However this should be a temporary fix for a young person. Exercise to strengthen the hand so that joints and associated soft tissues are not affected by use but only in the absence of pain.

Good luck
RW

Best
Rick

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