 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LizL
Date: 2009-05-12 21:40
Hi All
I am brand new to this site today!
This may have been a post in the past - but I have a problem with repetitive strain on my thumb. I am firstly a clarinetist and I get niggles that I can generally cope with, but I played an hour concert on alto sax last Friday - on Sat I couldn't use it properly to do many household things. I couldn't mix flour and fat to make a pie as my thumb was really unable to cope with the movement- ended up not being able to do the washing up! I am a woodwind teacher and have found it difficult to actually write as I get a spasm which hurts since then.
Anyone else out there had/has this sort of problem? This is the second time it has been this bad - last time was about 3 years ago - in between times though I do get niggles.
Any advice re treatment, thumb rests very much appreciated.
LizL
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-05-12 22:18
Liz,
please consider seeing your doctor - the trigger might have been stress and strain, but there may be an underlying condition that aggravates the problem (arthrite? a pinched nerve? what do I know). Remote diagnoses are not easy.
That having said, I'm using a homemade padded thumbrest which of course can't take the weight away, but it reduces the pain caused from pressing the thumb against the instrument body which in turn might lead to early fatigue and spasms caused by relieving posture. It often is a chain reaction. I'm using the same principle with saxes and clarinets and it's cheap enough for a proof of concept: Here's a recipe.
The other remedy might be a strap or harness of some sort, but I'm not using them enough to make a specific recommendation.
Good luck!
--
Ben
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Author: LizL
Date: 2009-05-12 22:27
tictactux
Thanks for your reply. Not sure my doctor would fully understand - but I am sure he would send me to a specialist. I am trying to avoid that and treat myself - I don't want to end up being told I need an operation!
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Author: LizL
Date: 2009-05-12 22:31
I can't explain this very easily - but, at the base of my thumb closest to my wrist. If you pull down on your thumb it is like the hinge to the main hand that is hurting. Hope this explains it a little better.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2009-05-12 22:32
tictactux
Your thumb cushion is simple but brilliant. I've just copied your idea and I love it !
Alan
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Author: marshall
Date: 2009-05-12 22:47
Sounds like tendinitis. I had similar pains at the end of my senior year of high school and I was in physical therapy for the better part of three months. See a doctor ASAP.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2009-05-12 22:55
I recommend seeing a doctor (and the specialist he sends you to), and a *good* chiropractor (get recommendations... quality can vary pretty significantly). Then compare the diagnoses. One may have an easier and more effective solution than the other. If the chiropractor says you need an operation, then you probably need it pretty badly, as in my experience that is not among their first choices.
Sounds like it might be tendinitis, which is what I had a few years back. Doctor had me wear a brace for a couple months, and I started using a neckstrap (I use the BG. the Claricord made things worse at times). I've heard of people getting it operated on, but I think that's probably not necessary except in extreme cases. Stretching before playing, taking frequent breaks, relaxing while playing, and exercising regularly have kept the condition from returning, enough so that I can play sans neckstrap now with no problem.
I had mine looked at in the student health center at the time, and after insisting that whether I was sexually active had nothing to do with it, I was x-rayed, then given a brace and the standard prescription of ice and ibuprofen and sent on my way.
I also discovered that mine was further aggravated by holding on tight to the steering wheel while driving, lying on my hand at strange angles while sleeping, typing on a standard keyboard that twists your wrists outward, and twisting my wrist to use the computer mouse. If you spend a lot of time on the computer and can spare $250, I can't recommend the Kinesis Advantage keyboard highly enough. For the mouse, a trackball will remove the twisting motion... I'm partial to the Kensington Expert Mouse with its nifty scroll wheel.
So, a combination of keeping off the thumb as much as possible until the aggravation declines and minimizing the conditions that lead to repetitive stress injury are probably your best bet. But do have it looked at, and make sure something nastier isn't going on.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-05-12 22:55
> I don't want to end up being told I need an operation!
Well - it'd still be your decision whether or not you want to do it. But you can better assess the risks of treatment and the risks of doing nothing.
--
Ben
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-05-12 23:11
I've had thumb pain in the past that was treated very successfully with cortisone injections. Physical therapy can also be successful. Surgery wouldn't likely be the first thing any doctor would try.
There are orthopedists who specialize in specific areas - my thumb problem was treated by the hand specialist in an office that also has a neck and shoulder specialist and someone else (whose specialty I haven't needed yet). See if your doctor can recommend a hand specialist if you need to see an orthopedist.
Karl
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-05-12 23:32
The first clarinetist in the Icelandic Symphony orchestra had similar problem 7 years ago or so. The orchestra was starting a project were every leading player would record a cd with concertos with the orchestra. They were beginning with the violin concertmaster,leading cello and himself. He practiced like 8 hours a day for it. And it felt really bad after few days/week or something like that. He tried all sorts of things like the Kooiman thumbrest(but the pain was also near the wrist so that didn't help) and playing with a lighter clarinet like the Rossi and so on but nothing helped him. He used a neckstrap and some special clove for supporting but he ended in a therapy in Denmark for 4 months. So the cd project was canceled and it has not been started again since then.
I used to get a pain from my hand all the way up to the shoulder specially when I was working on difficult technique. So I started using neckstrap but that didn't help too much. Then I started to relax much more when I practice,alter between standing and sitting and like now when I'm practicing the Nielsen concerto I just play it for 30-40 minutes,practice something else and take a brake so I play for only max 60 minutes in one session and then take a brake do some stretches,have a coffee and then begin again. Now I seldom use a strap and only when I play a lot on the A clarinet.
But could anyone tell me why thumb rests like the Etude and Maestro Kooiman and the Ridenour Thumb Saddle aren't designed with a hook strap or large enough leather connector to fit over the thumb rest ?
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-05-13 01:37
When you practice sax, try to remove you thumbs except when you use the octave key.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-05-13 02:15
Lizl - no doctor would treat you without seeing you. Why would you want rank amateurs to prescribe?
There are just too many reasons that your thumb hurts, and not all of them are related to the clarinet. When you're having that much trouble you should see that doctor and/or a specialist.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-05-13 03:21
Another vote for a medical specialist here...
Pain is an indicator that something is wrong. A specialist can analyze what you're doing with your hand (not just with the clarinet), and physical therapists can help you to find ways to accomplish your daily tasks without adding to any injury!
It may not require an operation, just re-education of how you use your hands! Go to a doctor!!!!!!
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-05-13 08:38
If I may toss in my suggestion. I had thumb problems so bad that I nearly stopped playing. The pain was in the base joint , not the first closest to the tip, and was a result of the constant weight on the thumb. My doc sent me to a thearapist who made a liitle gimic out of moldable plastic. You can heat soften and mould the plastic to fit. The thumb went into it with the first joint protruding and the rest went over the back of the hand. There was a sort of Velcro strap that attached under the wrist.
The thing worked perfectly as it didn`t matter what weight your thumb carried as the base joint was immobilized.
I could photo if interested.
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Author: LizL
Date: 2009-05-13 22:08
Re - Thumb Problem
Thank you all who have replied to me. Some good suggestions and advice.
I have rested it since last Saturday and have played Soprano sax tonight in a rehearsal for a gig on Sat. It wasn't twinge-ing but I was still aware that it was possible something could happen. Have been massaging it with a gel made from Green Lipped Mussel Extract with Glucosamine and have been using v small plasters with magnets in them. I felt that if I tried to do something I'd feel more positive about it, not too sure if these help.
Looking into some sort of support - but I really don't want to drill holes into my clarinets!
Anyway I think the rest is doing it good - I think I have to be more aware of what I do.
Once again thank you all for your interest and replies.
Regards
LizL
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-05-14 05:35
Rub Voltaren in, it is an anti inflamitory. Dump the magnet "Hokus Pokus."
Post Edited (2009-05-15 12:11)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-05-14 18:26
I still think you should consult a specialist. Rest is one thing, correct usage of your arm is much better...
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Author: eefer ★2017
Date: 2009-05-15 16:06
This has to be the craziest thing I ever heard! Just listen to what you are saying. And all of these collective "remedies" are quite possibly worthless to you. There are too many things that could be causing this problem. So if you want the "right" relief suggestions, go see a hand specialist (one who works with musicians), and an occupational therapist. The hand specialist will tell you exactly what is wrong and make suggestions for fixing the problem, and the occupational therapist can make you a hand brace that you can wear while you play. That will take the pressure off your thumb and wrist and place it on the brace. I actually wear one of these braces myself. I have thumb issues, but I'm not going to say that what helped me will help you. Stop all of the "witch-doctoring" and go see someone who can really help you!
Nancy Buckman
AACC Symphony Orchestra
Opera AACC
Early Music Society of Northern MD
(and a lot of other ensembles, too)
nebuckman@gmail.com
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Author: LizL
Date: 2009-05-15 20:12
Hello Nancy
I find your reply and suggestions very aggressive. I am now going to take myself off this issue on this site, I only joined a couple of days ago but feel after your input - I don't wish to be addressed in that way again!
You don't know where I live, and I don't have the support or experience where I live to have anyone remotely suitable to help a musician!
Please anyone do not send me any more emails regarding this subject - I am now trying to get myself off this site!
Thank you everyone who have tried to give me supportive answers. I don't live in America.
Thanks
Liz
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