 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2013-09-29 15:35
A few months ago I posted that I was considering an operation to cure my snoring and resulting sleep apnea. Let me first say before anyone chimes in, that I am the correct weight (under 160 lbs at 5'9) and I only started to snore badly when I entered my 50's. At almost 60, I used to wake myself up, and cause my wife to push me when I awakened her with my snoring. I was tired frequently mid day also. About three weeks ago, I injured my neck and in an effort to cure my neck problem, I noticed that I could not stretch my head all the way back to the point where I could feel my head resting on my upper back. I do yoga, so I was surprised that I was so stiff. Flexing your head this far back is not recommended by most yoga teachers anyway, so I guess that this was the reason my lack of flexibility was overlooked.
When I started my rehab, even stretching my head back a little bit hurt more than a little. After a few days I could really start to stretch my head back but I noticed that when I did, my teeth couldn't touch without gripping my jaw. A few days later my head could stretch way back but it still hurt. A few days after that I noticed much more flexibility but I noticed I couldn't smile and get my head all the way back. Now I can easily extend the head to full limits.
During this time I also practiced rotation, side to side and side to side with rotation, and forward bending of the head. Eventually complete circles came very easily and I also incorporated resistance training with an elastic belt and neck bridging on the floor. Now my neck is much stronger, a bit larger and pain free.
A week ago my wife woke up while I was sleeping and noticed that I wasn't snoring. At the same time I noticed feeling more rested in the morning and I found I wasn't waking up in the middle of night either nor waking myself up with my snoring and sleep apnea. I also noticed a stronger more relaxed approach to my clarinet playing. All in all the experience has left me feeling that I don't need an operation and that my health and playing has improved.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-09-29 17:20
Good news, Garth. I broke my neck while still a child, and now in my 70's it sometimes feels as though I have a handful of rocks in my neck instead of vertebrae. Snoring can be a real problem.
Some years back I was watching a performance of the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan when my ear caught some sounds that weren't part of the score. Peering into the dark recesses of the orchestra pit I spied the Tuba player snoring gently. Just before he was due to come in a trombone player kicked his chair and he picked it up seamlessly.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-09-29 17:59
Garth -
For those of us who are not yoga masters (i.e., me), a CPAP does the same work. I've slept with one for 30 years.
Be careful about the surgery. My cousin had it and says that it cured his sleep apnea but that he now has a pharyngeal leak (from the back of his mouth into his nose) that makes it hard for him to blow up a child's balloon -- bad news for wind players.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: alto gether
Date: 2013-09-30 04:05
I'm glad it worked for you. I am told that speakers of certain languages never snore because their soft palates get lots of exercise, and that snoring can be fixed by saying the "k" sound while inhaling for a few minutes a day. Probably doesn't work often, but certainly worth trying first. Might affect clarinetation too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TAS
Date: 2013-09-30 15:37
I cured my snoring by not attending workshops that presented a new and better way (sic) of directing a wind ensemble.....
TAS
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
