So, my teacher thinks I might have carpal tunnel & not tendonitis (and that computer may be the cause of it.. im gonna try to elevate it...) ... I'm getting it checked at school tomorrow, and then eventually by a medical person outside of school (well that's complicated actually, b/c I think I'm lacking in health insurance atm) ... another teacher gave me contact info for an acupuncture specialist & someone recommended a dr. in the city (walk in clinic $35 per session)
I'm managing it as well as I can, and typing on computers doesn't help :( (nor did having a piano final) stretching the area frequently really did though!!
I'm playing as lightly as possible, and when i get to a point where I can play comfortably, I'm going to do some *serious* technique re-evaluation, with a focus on breathing well, minimizing movements and excess tension & using a strong source of energy coming from the back and shoulders ... I wish I could work on the stuff Julia & I talked about right now, but I know I can't play too much... on the other hand, I'm now stretching regularly/constantly, and am absolutely going to maintain that ... it will help to get some sleep too .. anyway, have to conserve my typing for the psych papers I need to finish ...
getting off the comp more... gonna read instead...
on a brighter note, new 6 yr. old student soon...
5 comments:
Also go get some serious massages for your neck and shoulder. When the brachial plexus is tight, it has a way of compressing the nerves and tendons in a very dangerous way. Massage, hot showers, and being aware of the habit tensing shoulders and jaw are always a good thing. I'm thinking good thoughts for you.
e.
Emily, thanks ... it's mostly better at this point (though still not 100%, but like I'm fine without taking ibeauprofen, which is great!)
A lot of it was definitely coming from the shoulders & from not breathing while playing ...
I think it's a blessing in a way ... I was at a point where I really needed to re-evaluate (physically) what I was doing...
I've also started stretching regularly once again... long overdue...
Thanks so much for the good thoughts :)
-Mike
A few years before I even started cello, I had discomfort in my wrists, especially my right, that was clearly from computer use. I've been a computer programmer for a long time, from back in the days of klunky, noisy, heavy IBM dumb-terminals. I saw my GP and he diagnosed it as tendonitis, not carpal tunnel, YET.
He prescribed Naprosin, but that just masked the problem. At one point, I decided to try typing with just as light a touch as I possibly could. I decided my heavy, thumping, pianistic approach to the computer keyboard was no longer necessary. It worked. On days of heavy typing, it might come back a bit, but then I remember to lighten up and type as little as I need to. Hey, better a little less accomplished that day than I'm out on disabililty.
Terry, thanks for the advice ... a couple of people mentioned to me that things like Ibeauprofin only mask the problem ... so that, coupled with the fact that I feel the same & hate being on pain-killers at all ... led me to get off them as quick as I could ...
Anyway, things are doing much better ... I need to chill with the caffiene though ... it's not helpful ... and once I get to this weekend ... regular exercise, here I come!
Thanks for the advice.
-Mike
Terry, thanks for the advice ... a couple of people mentioned to me that things like Ibeauprofin only mask the problem ... so that, coupled with the fact that I feel the same & hate being on pain-killers at all ... led me to get off them as quick as I could ...
Anyway, things are doing much better ... I need to chill with the caffiene though ... it's not helpful ... and once I get to this weekend ... regular exercise, here I come!
Thanks for the advice.
-Mike
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