 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2003-06-15 01:26
Lately, I've been feeling a lot of pain in my right forearm when practicing (and writing by hand, for that matter.) It seems, from all the information I've looked at, that tendonitis seems to occur more in the wrist. I don't think it's carpal tunnel syndrome either, because I don't wake up in the night with pain or experience shooting pains up my arms. However, it is quite painful when I practice, and I don't want to mess it up more by ignoring it. Does anyone have any idea what this might be or what I could do to help? And should I bother going to a doctor?
Jess
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-06-15 01:47
Remember those ad's? "I'm not a doctor but I played one on TV" ?
This is a Pandora's Box question. The answer could be tied to your practice sessions (too long-with wrong posture), or muscular stress due to tension. Take two days off, relax, and if it then continues go see the Doc.
Bob A
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-06-15 01:48
I'd get it checked out. If the problem is due to playing the clarinet (which seems likely) the solution would probably be the use of a neckstrap or one of the various right hand support devices that attach to the instrument. That may be all you need but I reccomend going ahead and seeing a doctor now, at least your family GP, and seeing what he/she says.
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-06-15 11:41
When I had my bout of "clarinet thumb" it extended into my right forearm. Try icing it after practice until you can get into see a doctor for proper treatment.
RW
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-06-15 11:50
Jessica,
I have much the same pain at times but I attribute it to doing too much at the computer keyboard. Or using incorrect mouse movements (I may go to a track ball but don't think I can tolerate the ergonomic keyboard). I do not practice too long each day but I spend considerable time at the computer.
I've done a few of the little tap or bend CTS tests and it does not seem to be that syndrome. But something is up with the area of my wrist on top where the hand naturally bends. I though CTS was more localized under the wrist where the nerves pass through the tunnels.
HRL
PS This BB needs a good ortho surgeon. We have some MDs but need a bone-cracker.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-06-15 16:44
Hey Hank, "Take 5" and call me in the morning. (Can't get the timing right ffor that piece.)
Bob A
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2003-06-15 17:55
Jess, one of the things I like about my plastic Vito V40 is that it is so light weight. Every time I try out wooden instruments...I can really tell the difference. It doesn' take too long before my right arm begins to tire out. And because I really can't tell the difference in sound, I keep going back to my trusty V40.
I once tried out a Leblanc Sonata. It really looked incredible with all of that chrome on it. But, when I began to play it, it felt as if it weighed 10 pounds! Needless to say, I sent it back.
However, I just thought of something simple that might help. Every watch Pete Fountain play? After playing his part in a song, I've noticed that he immediately either puts his instrument in his left hand or under his left arm. By doing this, he rests his right arm. Perhaps after a few minutes of playing...you should do the same. I would suggest not leaving it in your right arm for 10 to 15 minutes straight. Play for a few minutes and then get it out of your right hand. You can put it on the floor, hold it with your left arm, put it in your lap, etc. The main thing is to not keep it in your right arm for extended periods of time.
I'm afraid I'm guilty of extended playing time. In doing this response, I see now that I need to rest my own right arm more often.
Good post!!!
Hope this helps...
Dan
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-06-16 05:42
Maybe it's still tendonitis. After all those tendons in your wrist run right up your forearm, do they not?
I've had this problem on and off, and numbness from time to time as well. I'm saving up for a pair of new Greenlines with strap rings!
Allen Cole
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Author: supernova_khr
Date: 2003-06-16 17:05
I just had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, and I never had had shooting pains in my arm or woke up with pain (so I wouldn't rule out CTS because you haven't had those symptoms). What I did experience was numbness and had weakness in the affected hand. However, there is a nerve bundle in the elbow (I can't remember the name) that can give you similar symptoms. There are electrical tests a neurologist can do to assess the health of the the nerves in your wrist and arm to get to the bottom of the problem. If you're in pain, don't keep on doing what causes the pain! Get yourself to a doctor to find out what's wrong. In nerve problems, there is always the possibility of permanent damage (Unfortunately, I know about this personally, I had back surgery to correct a pinched sciatic nerve over a year after the initial symptoms appeared, and there was some permanent damage to the nerve that couldn't be corrected. According to my neurosurgeon, if I had had the surgery within 3 months of the initial symptoms, the outcome would have likely been better).
If you can get yourself referred to an orthopediac specialist, that may help you. If they determine it is tendonitis, there are actually things you can do in physical therapy to help get rid of the pain, and help you learn how to prevent it from happening again.
Good luck,
Kay
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Author: dfh
Date: 2003-06-16 17:16
I have found that resting my arms every 15 min. during pracitce really cuts down on pain, as Dan suggested. So does really excellent posture, while you're awake and asleep. But don't let it go unchecked!!!!!
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-06-22 01:07
I was just doing some reading in Sherman Friedland's section (a great source of information) and came across an article that might apply to your problem at
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Friedland/Article060.html
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: caponester
Date: 2003-06-24 21:40
Jessica,
Forget the Doc. He probably won't do much for you besides put you on pain killers. Probably the best thing you can do to help resolve the problem before it gets worse is to go see a good massage therapist who knows how to work with repetitive stress injuries. I don't know if you've ever had a good professional massage, but if you haven't you don't know what your missing! Not only will you get relief from your pain, you'll come out of there feeling like a million bucks! Aside from this I would agree with the recommendation to ice your forearm after a long practice session. You can just fill a large pot or bucket with cold water and add a few ice cubes to it. Then just put your arm in for 10-15 minutes. It would also be helpful for you to massage your own forearm and wrist. Find the tender spots and work 'em out. Good luck.
Dan C.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-06-24 22:08
caponester wrote:
> Jessica,
> Forget the Doc. He probably won't do much for you besides put
> you on pain killers.
DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE!
> Probably the best thing you can do to
> help resolve the problem before it gets worse is to go see a
> good massage therapist who knows how to work with repetitive
> stress injuries.
One of the many things that may help.
A good doctor knows what they are doing, and will not hesitate to send someone to a physical or massage therapist. But not going to a doctor is just about the worse thing you can do - we CANNOT DIAGNOSE AT A DISTANCE this kind of injury or pain. It may be nothing, it may be something.
caponester, if you're board-certified, insured MD and are giving out medical advice, then please let us know. If not, then sticking to suggestions to visit a massage therapist after an OK for the doctor is just fine. Let a certified medical doctor take a look, and get a second opinon if the 1st doctor thinks that something serious is involved.
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Author: clarinetqween
Date: 2003-06-25 15:30
One word "NECKSTRAP!" I had the same issue and that seemed to clear it right up. Also try not being so tense when you play, tension helps the muscles get tired out faster!
~clarinetqween
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