[BAROQUE-LUTE] Re: arm pain

[Stephen Arndt]

Rob,

I had a similar problem for six months and saw an orthopedist, a 
chiropracter, a massage therapist, and an acupuncturist, and also took 
muscle relaxers and pain pills--all to no avail. Occasionally I still have a 
flare up and am actually having a minor one right now.

Some kind soul on the list recommended the "Pressure Point Therapy 
Workbook," and by following its advice I was out of pain in three days.

Basically, you take a ball--the one I use is about two-thirds the size of a 
tennis ball; place it a little under the affected spot between you and a 
door or wall; lean into it, applying pressure; then roll the ball upwards, 
maintaining the pressure; and finally roll it back down to the starting 
point with no pressure. Repeat about fifteen times, making short strokes and 
being sure to apply pressure in one direction only. You can do it every 
couple of hours or at least several times a day. Be careful not to apply so 
much pressure that your pain level goes above a seven on a ten-point scale.

This most recent time I think I may have strained a muscle working out at 
the gym, but playing the lute, especially without a strap, really seems to 
aggravate it. Originally, the problem was under my right shoulder blade and 
came from working long hours at the computer with the monitor at the wrong 
angle. I usually use a 4-inch leather strap with synthetic lamb's wool 
underneath, but since I have strung the lute all in gut, I have been doing a 
lot more tuning while the strings settle in, and it is easier to tune not 
using the strap. Hence, the recent flare up.

I hope this helps.

Stephen


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <baroque-lute@cs.dartmouth.edu>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 12:56 PM
Subject: [BAROQUE-LUTE] arm pain


Bad news. I'm typing with one hand only as I seem to have a problem with 
my
left. For the past five days I've had muscular pain in my upper left arm. 
I
thought I must have knocked it, but couldn't remember doing so. I did 
teach
a percussion class last Monday, but hardly used my left arm at all. 
Anyway,
I could still play the lute - no problem with fingers, tendons, carpal
tunnels, etc. I thought the pain would pass. But it hasn't. In fact, today
it has got a lot worse. I nearly crashed the car because I suddenly lost 
the
use of the left arm. Luckily I was close to home. Later I picked up a book
and dropped it immediately - the pain was too much. So, I'm really 
worried.
I  can still wiggle my fingers - no problem at all there - but I can't
drive, or lift my instrument with the left arm. I'm still hopeful it will
all disappear tomorrow, but I plan to go to hospital emergency if it
doesn't. Every movement is painful, but it still feels like a muscular
problem.



Any experience of this?



Rob



www.rmguitar.info







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