 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2000-05-01 14:52
Hi there Everyone...over the past year, I have begun experiencing pain in my wrists while playing, and also have found my hands falling asleep after a while. (you know, the pins and needles feeling). This can't be good. Any ideas? It might be important to mention that I've spent the last 8 months using a laptop computer for MANY hours of the day. Carpal Tunnel? Possible? Is there anything I can do to prevent the pain and tingles while playing? Thanks.
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Author: Al
Date: 2000-05-01 17:19
Lisa:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is very possible.
Consider using a neck strap. Hook it on the thumbrest until you can get a ring/thumbrest attachment.
Ricardo Morales(principal at the Met) always uses one.
Good Luck!
Al
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-01 17:45
Lisa, you are treading in very dangerous waters. You should get yourself to a kinesiologist, occupational therapist, or a doctor that used to be a musician. (It shouldn't be too hard to find a doctor that used to play clarinet--they're a dime a dozen!) By the way, this sounds exactly like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome--but don't quote me. :-)
I'm not a doctor, but I am a person that suffers these same afflictions. I'm going to say that working for many hours on a laptop DOES have a lot to do with your wrist problems. I suggest that you take many breaks when working...and practicing clarinet.
Thanks to the early 90's, there are a lot of hand clinics around the country (at least there were). You should ask your Dr. about them if he/she can't help you.
The instrument repairman at my undergrad school used to use the device: Take a cylindar about the diameter and length of a rolling pin, tie a string (about 4 ft. long) to the center of the cylindar with a weight on the bottom, say, a fishing weight. With your arms fully extended out in front of you, begin to wind the string up by "rolling" your wrists away from you. When the weight is all the way up, reverse the motion. Do this for about 3 minutes.
This is an "Ancient Chinese Secret" that he was kind enough to share with me.
Sorry to be so long-winded about this, but it's an affliction that I'm trying my best to overcome; my cellist friend is suffering through with the help of acupressurists/accupuncturists; and my former teacher suffered through along with tendonitis (resulting in surgery and a complete lifestyle change).
Needless to say, don't do nothing about this. Don't wait until you can't even pick up a pencil before you seek help.
Good luck,
Frank
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-01 17:51
About the neck strap: I've used one for five years and it has worked wonder. You should know, however, that once you start using one, it is VERY difficult to stop. I can't play without one for more then 10 minutes; my thumb simply isn't strong enough. I shudder to think what sort of trouble I'd be in if I didn't have the neckstrap.
Remember, the neckstrap is not a replacement for therapies for this condition.
RE: Rick Morales: We out here in CA got the rumor that Rick was having severe difficulties with his hands. I'm not sure if that's when he started using the strap or not. His problems (if they did actually exist....you know rumors....) could have been due to the grossly perverse schedule that the Met keeps. That have the most extreme schedules of any ensemble that I've ever seen. Oy vey!
Frank
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Author: Marvin Adeff
Date: 2000-05-01 22:44
Definitely get a neck strap. I love mine. Its elastic so it counter acts the weight of horn itself ... you know, anti-gravity. But seriously, it lets you put your attention on your fingering instead of supporting the clarinet. Well worth the $15.
Good luck
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Author: gRAHAM
Date: 2000-05-01 22:53
I agree with every one, especially Frank. I had similar problems. I wore a wrist brace. I found that my had was slumping up and cutting of my circulation. After learning how to hold the clarient it went away. I would still see a Dr. and getr a neck strap if I were you.
Graham
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2000-05-02 03:31
Lisa,
a bit of advice from a retired G.P. from OZ. 1) A neck strap is certainly a reasonable item to try. 2) If I understand correctly, _both_ your hands are affected, therefore I am not so sure that a neck strap will help.
I think you should see a doctor, because a test called "nerve conduction study" can determine whether your problem is a "carpal tunnel syndrome", which is basically an increase in pressure in an anatomical space at the wrist on the _median nerve_. If this is so, you may need a small operation to release this. If ,as you sound, you are a young person, it becomes even more important to sort the problem out rather than trying bandaid methods which will only help in the short run.
P.S. Pregnancy produces this syndrome on a temporary basis - it resolves after delivery. Is that relevant to you?
Good luck, Karel.
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-05-02 07:42
If you suspect that your laptop is causing this problem, it is important that you check the way that you hold your hands while typing and using the mouse. The back of your hand from knuckle to wrist should be in line with your forearm from wrist to the crook of your elbow. Stick a ruler under your watchstrap so that it runs along the top of your forearm and the back of your hand. You should be able to type comfortably like this. If you bend your wrist, so that your hands are pointing upwards, then you are definitely doing it wrong. This bad wrist position is the main cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
The main reason for bad wrist position is that modern desks are far to high to be used with computers. Ideally, you arm should hang straight from your shoulder, your forearm should be horizontal and your wrist straight. Unfortunately to achieve this, the desk has to be so low as to be touching your legs. The top of the keyboard should be about three inches above your thighs. Since you can't do much about the height of most desks, you should raise your seat as high as possible to compensate.
Another approach is to put the keyboard or laptop resting on your lap, not on a desk or table. A wrist pad in front of the keyboard may also help.
You may also have a problem with your mouse. Practise keeping your wrist up and letting your fingers hang down. The classic piano hand position will help: Lay your arm on your thigh and put your hand on your knee so that your fingers curl around your knee. Now, without changing the shape of your hand or wrist, lift you hand and place it on your mouse. This won't feel right, as your palm won't be on the mouse, but your wrist will be straight. Mouse pads with a built in "squidgy" wrist pad may help.
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Author: Jerry K.
Date: 2000-05-02 14:07
Ditto all of the above. I use a BG neckstrap, the one that has no elastic in it. It holds the clarinet taut. Also, there is nothing wrong with resting the bell on your left knee. All downward pressure is removed.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-05-10 20:25
See a specialist and be sure to discuss BOTH the clarinet and computer activities. It sounds like the computer is the major culprit.
Neckstraps, in general, are a good idea. The thumb, wrist, hand, etc. are the worst possible design for bearing the weight of a clarinet. That so many people are able to play without one is the real miracle. Many children develop very poor hand positions trying to support its weight. One beginner's book (by Robert Lowery, I believe) advocates that all pupils start with a neckstrap to avoid developing a bad hand position.
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