The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: oboe and headaches

Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2011-10-22 01:12

I suffered from migraine headaches on average weekly from as young as I can remember 'til the year I got married.... then sinus/tension headaches took over. Nonetheless, I was still able to play oboe in British Red wool uniform (lined with thick cotton to absorb sweat) on sunny July parades or in a cigar-smoke-filled mess-dinner.

I must stress not to lay the blame of your headaches on reeds or on breathing until you've explored every other possible origin for them. Certainly, the air-pressure and jaw/cheek-strain from playing and frustrations of trying to perfect your sound can amplify the process of the headache. But in actual fact, I have often SOOTHED crises by practicing!

The big majority of young adults (myself included) make the mistake of getting so involved in their professional passion (artistic, business, science, social, whatever it is for the individual) that they forget their physical fitness is and will remain a huge support to that very passion for the entire lifetime. Furthermore, in young adulthood, we are able to cope and rise above what appear to be minor weaknesses - except these "minor" weaknesses can become major hindrances as we get older.

So I keep stressing a balanced lifestyle where the student also takes time for physical fitness either in sports, gym or even dancing. Getting to know your body clock and learning triggers of fatigue and pains are really important. For example, in college I was a "doughnut-ologist", not realizing that refined sugars are the single worst trigger for migraine headaches: yes, even worse than smoke! (So, cheap commercial chocolate is horrible for me, but expensive quality true chocolate actually soothes pain, generally.)

I think what I am describing was called "bio-rhythm" for some time, but these buzzwords become trends that are not necessarily any more helpful. I think good old-fashioned common sense is the best way to go. Pay attention and don't go to extremes on anything: keep yourself in control and ride the tides.

I hope this is helpful.

Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics