Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-12-16 07:56
Shelly writes << The pain that I get is in my shoulders and my back, not to mention my poor thumb. My shoulder "buzzes" and I have to beat it with a hammer to make it feel better (okay, I don't really beat it with a hammer; but I'm sure if I did it would feel better.)
My back feels so tight when I am playing that I'm certain a disc is going to pop out and nail the bassoonist behind me, and my thumb aches like I hit it with the aforementioned hammer. Also, I seem to be predisposed lately to graying out while playing.>>
... um, Shelley, 'scuse me, the pain you're experiencing sounds very much like it just possibly might be
-- bad posture, shoulders too hunched forward and sitting tensed up in playing posture too long
-- wimpy muscle tone, general muscle weakness, lack of upper body fitness
-- oxygen starvation
-- muscle-nerve stress as direct consequence of all above
Quick fix stretches -- consult a fitness expert for specific stretches you could do to unkink your trouble spots during intermission, or in subtle ultra-slow mo, during any rest breaks in the music
Ergonomic adjustments to your seat or the way you sit?
General fitness routine? Need toned core muscles, upper body and aerobic capacity. Swimming's great, really helps stretch and unkink your spine, firms up everything, works out arms & shoulders, fantastic!
Thumb can be strengthened with squeeze-ball exerciser, both hands, fingers and wrists get stronger, will make it much easier and more enjoyable to manage instrument, try it to believe it, you'll be totally amazed at the difference!
Grey-out (oxygen starvation) = not breathing properly for oboe -- surely after 16 years you've not forgotten or overlooked #1 essential air support strategy for this instrument ... 'purge' breathing (rapid deep exhalation to automatic reflex inhalation) ?
Are you doing your 'purge' reaths frequently during the music, so you can get rid of all that built-up carbon dioxide? That bad air will really grey you out ... and, also build up pain in your oxygen-starved muscles too!
Let's assume that's definitely not you. Then there's another strong possibility that comes to mind -- mild to moderate anemia, iron deficiency very common among women. Anemia could underlie most of the debilitating aches and pains you're having and especially the grey-out. Anemia also affects you psychologically, it sneaks up on you, makes you want to give up doing things that require strong air support or physical activity ... blood test?
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