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Bell's Palsy...round II...Practice Suggestions

Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2015-09-24 18:21

Two mornings ago, 9/22/15, I woke with another occurrence of Bell's Palsy. Suffice to say I'm not thrill and have already canceled by chamber orchestra gig on Sunday and several other playing gigs for the next several months.

I'm already taking all the western medications, Acyclovir and steroids. They offered me few positive results my first go round. I've also started (attempting) rehab exercises from physical therapy. Finally, I'm heading to an acupuncturist today and see if expediting recovery is even possible.

Now I'd like y'alls thoughts on actually practicing my horn. I've read on the Board, absolutely not. Doctors are "sure why not it can only help to build muscle." However, I'm fearful starting bad habits in compensating for my paralysis.

Thoughts and/or personal experiences?

~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)

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Re: Bell's Palsy...round II...Practice Suggestions

Author: Nessie1
Date: 2015-09-29 18:13

Sorry to hear you're going through a difficult time with this condition.

I've never had it myself nor am I a doctor or nurse but I can see why you might be concerned about embouchure habits but if you don't want to try actual playing you could do a couple of things.

Breathing exercises - lie on the floor on your back with a metronome set if you have one. Relax arms and legs by lifting them and letting them them flop back down several times. Roll your head around to relax that too.

Then breathe in for a count, hold for the same count, out for the same count. You can gradually increase the number in the count until it is just about as much as you can possibly manage.

IMPORTANT - When you have done this exercise you must get up slowly or you will make your self giddy or possibly even faint.

Also, for the fingers you could try maintaining flexibility and building strength by drumming on a table top or similar surface. Place the hand on the surface with the fingers bent at an angle similar to if they were around your clarinet. Then try lifting each individually several times without lifting the others.

In your situation with none of your usual playing to do you could probably do two or three sessions of these a day.

Hope this helps and that you get better soon

Vanessa.

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Re: Bell's Palsy...round II...Practice Suggestions

Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2015-09-29 19:54

Thanks Vanessa....

I love the advise. On Sunday I attempted to play. I was giving a lesson and was hoping to be able to demonstrate some things with some success. But my embouchure was a complete fail and literally could not make a sound. Ugh. Fortunately, I still have enough wits to tell somebody to use fork fingering on a Rose etude.

Right now my condition has plateaued. I'm barely blinking and left facial muscles are numb with little movement. However I'm hitting my physical therapy exercises with due diligence and even seeing an acupuncturist. I'll be back to 100%...hope I'm patient enough to get back there.

Again thanks for the support!

~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)

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