Daniel B. Hrdy <[email protected]> wrote: I bought a Hornstick from Paxman online. I found it inconvenient to use, and it did not help my problem, which is a cervical disc herniation at C3-4. I'm of similar age, but I'm not a physician, don't have any herniated discs, and my detailed knowledge of anatomy doesn't go much beyond being able to spell the word. But...
Is not C3-4 rather high in the neck, and well above the level of the arms? This suggests that support of the horn is not what causes you pain. Those muscles and bones are not much involved in supporting the horn. Rather, it may be something about the position or pressure on the mouth (transferred to the head) that causes you grief. If you use excessive pressure, that would be something to address. But if not (that is, if either small pressure or just the position of the head aggravates your hernated disc) then you should consider ways to support your head, not your horn. (I mean your _physical_ head, not your mind.) Perhaps an inexpensive "neck support collar" could prevent applying stress to your compromised vertibra. See here for an example of this kind of device. http://www.amazon.com/DMI-Universal-Neck-Support-Collar/dp/B0008D7V4M/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1294300675&sr=1-7 It appears that it contacts close to the larynx, meaning you lower jaw would remain free to do what it needs to do to play horn. Now, you're a physician, I'm not. Think about this carefully, and perhaps consult a specialist colleague. (Bring your horn, your X-rays, and a sample collar.) _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
