Hey Robin, I went through the same thing with a PT. It was torture but I can play pain free now. Good correct posture was the key for me for remaining pain free after playing. Look at videos of Chris Thile sitting down playing all hunched over. That's what you don't want. You want to play with good posture, pushing the top of your head straight up to the sky, chin tucked in slightly, shoulders back not hunched, back straight. Keep that posture while doing things like working on the computer and sitting on the couch too. Easier said than done. Also look for Pete Martin's videos on youtube for the correct way to hold the mandolin. That's an excellent resource for playing in a way that won't cause you physical problems. Seems too simple, but it's important.
Did your PT give you some exercises? Strengthening the muscles you need for good posture and the muscles you use playing mandolin will also help. Good luck with it. Don On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 7:02 AM, Robin Gravina <[email protected]> wrote: > Just had a gruelling physical therapy treatment this morning, for a fall > while ice skating (!); she is a really excellent therapist, and while she > was at it, she discovered a sore and knotted place under my left shoulder > which she couldn't explain, until I mentioned playing the mandolin, which > made perfect sense to her. > I had no idea that my playing position was causing me pain, so I was > wondering if anyone had any routines, stretches, or things they do in order > to keep everything relaxed whilst playing and not get to the point where you > need someone to torture you on a massage table. > Best > Robin > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Taterbugmando" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Taterbugmando" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en.
