Tendonitis- If in Pain, Stop and See A Specialist and Modify Your Playing Style

Tendonitis

It is not uncommon for professional, or serious, regular pianists to experience various hand injuries over the course of their piano playing days. This is particularly problematic for people who may have small hands, and who play complex works, such as the Rachmaninov Concerto Number 3, and so on. However, this problem is certainly not confined to only classical pianists, or even professionals. These various injuries can affect just about any pianist, casual or professional, from time to time.

The most typical injuries include tendonitis, and wrist strain, mostly as a result of either not having sufficient strength built up in their fingers and hands, as well as other playing issues such as correct position at the piano. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a common list of problems, as I have mentioned earlier.

For some piano players, the thought may even have crossed their mind to give up playing, due to the repetitive injuries. Whilst this is an extreme option, there are other ways to reduce the injuries, and actually end up by playing better. One method that has been proven by many students after being adopted is the Bowman method.

Professor Lionel Bowman was a distinguished piano player, at the peak of his career around his late thirties, who had developed very great problems with tendonitis. After having to actually stop playing for a number of months, while his hand healed, he took the time to actually study the anatomy of the hand and arm, and created his own method of playing the piano. His style has enabled him to become a better teacher, and his crowning achievement through this process was that he not only was able to resume his playing, but succeeded in helping others play better, with less incidence of injury as well.

The Bowman method encompasses the strengthening of the fingers, as well as an overall approach to muscle coordination. Far too many people start to play the piano a certain way, and find that, over the years, their discomfort increases, due to the method of playing that creates tension and stress in the joints as well as fingers.

One aspect of the method is about sitting in the right place, with reference to the notes being played. As an example, the hips need to be loose, in that for certain parts of the score, the pianist will need to sit right, or site left, and even sit back, to allow the wrists to become lower then the keys. By moving the hips, so the pianist’s body is in front of, and at right angles to the keyboard, will minimise the stress on the wrists as well as muscles of the wrist, and tendons.

It can often aid the pianist to make specific notes on the music score, like sitting right, or sitting left, as this will aid the pianist to achieve an optimum posture and comfort. This comfort will translate into relaxation, and thus, a better overall sound as well as reduced injuries.

This technique needs to be practiced, and actually, it can be beneficial to start learning a new piece, rather than trying to relearn an already known piece of music. The best proof is in the action, and seeing for yourself.

 

Piano and the Risk of Tendonitis

 

Piano and the Risk of Tendonitis

As someone who has lived through 3 incredibly painful bouts of tendonitis, both in my left arm and right arm, I thought it important to pass on some information that has helped me deal with this in the past.



It is important to understand that playing the piano can cause serious injuries such as tendonitis and carpel tunnel syndrome. Both these ailments are known as repetitive strain injuries. The constant up and down, side to side movement of the arms and fingers when playing piano for long periods of time is what causes these injuries.



This is common among piano players. In fact, it is so common that there is a special clinic in Hamilton, Ontario called the Musician’s Clinics of Canada that deals with the prevention and rehabilitation of musician injuries. Naturally their patients include other instrumentalists like violin and guitar but, pianist injuries are certainly among the most common.



What can be done when a pianist gets tendonitis or carpel tunnel syndrome? Well, certainly there are conventional methods of dealing with the inflammation and pain. Unfortunately these types of treatments such as; anti-inflammatories, pain medications and physio therapy are designed to treat the symptoms. Therefore, once the pianist goes back to playing the piano without being completely healed the injuries can re-occur and in the end be quite difficult to get rid of.



It is not uncommon for tendonitis to stick around for very long periods of time. In my case, I once had a problem with my right arm that took almost 3 years to get better. The problem is of course that, as a professional I can’t possibly just stop playing the piano. I can take breaks in between concerts but usually I can only take up to a month’s rest at a time. 



So, how can these injuries be cured while still continuing to play? It’s important to understand that not every case is the same but, for me, I actually had to re-learn how to play the piano the correct way. I realized, after visiting the musician’s clinic, that I had the completely wrong approach to playing piano. Specifically, I was too close to the keyboard, I had the wrong wrist position, the wrong finger position and I didn’t understand the concept of leverage.



Leverage means to use the entire body to create volume on the piano. I was trying to create volume by forcing the keys down with forearm strength instead of using the entire body. Therefore, my arm muscles and joints suffered from the strain of trying to play too loud. What I eventually realized, with the help of the musician’s clinic doctor was that, I needed to create velocity as opposed to force. Once the key reached the bottom of its natural movement it can go no further. Yet, I was trying to force the note passed its end without even realizing it.



The correct way is to drive the note down with extra velocity using the back, shoulders, biceps, arms, wrists and fingers and then release at the exact moment the key reaches its lowest point. Therefore, it’s the velocity of the hammer hitting the string that creates volume. Knowing when to let up is very important in the fight to prevent injury.



In terms of moving the piano bench back, I had to learn also to sit with better upright posture and to generate leverage using my entire body. It’s easier to do this with the right foot (pedal foot) forward and the left foot back under the bench. Then as you pivot forward and backward on the bench you have more balance and leverage.



Once last point I should mention; exercise is very important. I started weight training several years ago because, I find that the extra muscle helps a great deal in preventing injury. Be careful however, to consult a professional when starting weight training. You must do it the correct way in order for it to be beneficial.

 

Paul Tobey – About the Author:

 

Learning piano lessons takes motivation that sometimes can be missing. Paul Tobey’s online piano lessons are perfect for anyone who may be considering learning to play better piano. He a free piano lesson to new members.





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Relieving Symptoms of Tendonitis With Chiropractic Therapy

Relieving Symptoms of Tendonitis With Chiropractic Therapy

Relieving Symptoms of Tendonitis With Chiropractic Therapy

Relieving Symptoms of Tendonitis With Chiropractic Therapy
By Dr Jeremy Portmann

Whether it be tennis elbow, runner’s knee, or jumper’s knee, all these conditions point to tendonitis: a fibrous tissue inflammation that connects the muscles to the bone, causing movement restriction and resulting pain. Often, athletes (casual or not) are likelier to develop tendonitis simply because of their partaking in repetitive activities. Computer programmers and typists are also prone to wrist tendonitis due their repetitive keyboard use. Similarly, pianists may also be afflicted with the same problem.

Traditional medicine has often relied on treatments that merely address the symptoms, such as cortisone injections. However, steroids and anti-inflammatories only mask the symptoms of a problem that will return the moment the injections stop. They also bring about myriad side effects. Anti-inflammatories often results in stomach and intestinal pain. In fact, more than a third of people on anti-inflammatory drugs report gastrointestinal pain.

Causes of Tendonitis

  • In the majority of cases, tendonitis is due to strain of repetitive movements. Strain can also be due to too much stress placed on the tendons from improper or imbalanced exercise routines.
  • Aging. As the body ages, tendons harden and lose some of their elasticity. This translates into joint inflexibility.
  • Injury. Occasionally, tendonitis develop following another tendon or joint injury. In such cases, tendonitis may develop because the injury has not fully healed.
  • Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause tendonitis as a result of unusual pressure or strain on the tendons.
  • Thermal injury. Occasionally, thermal injury can bring about tendonitis, affecting the hands, wrists, and feet. Rock climbers and hikers sometimes report thermal injuries.

Symptoms of Tendonitis

  • Pain when the tendon is under pressure. Pressure can come from weight lifting, playing tennis, or any type of manual job (such as typing).
  • Movement restriction without pain.
  • Pain, swelling, or stiffness to the affected area.
  • Restricted movement in a specified area. For example, someone with tendonitis in the bicep may not be able to move the arm fully.
  • Pain to the affected area when touched or moved. As tendonitis progresses, pain may occur irregardless of whether the tendon is under pressure or not. In such cases, pain may occur as a result of the area being merely touched.
  • A burning sensation around the affected area. Or, in more serious cases, the area becomes swollen, red, warm or “lumpy” as a result of accumulation of fluid and inflammation.

Tendonitis Treatment

  • Stop the activity that is causing the pain, resting the the affected area for at least 3 weeks. After a period of rest, the tendon will likely be able to heal itself.
  • Mobilize the area, if possible, with braces.
  • As part of rehabilitative exercises, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises will help restore tendon mobility. Contact a chiropractic doctor for precise advice on the proper type of exercises to perform. You will also receive advice of warming up techniques that can decrease the risk of muscle strain.
  • Employ massage therapy. Massage therapy helps ease the pain of tendonitis and may help recovery. Your chiropractic doctor will know of an appropriate massage approach for your condition.
  • As part of a healthy, calcium-rich diet for healthy bones, make sure to eat fruit, fresh vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Aim to include salmon, tofu, sardines, and grains in your regular diet. In addition, including a cup of yogurt and another glass of low-fat or skim milk can add precious milligrams to your daily calcium intake.
  • Ice therapy. Ice therapy may help alleviate pain or reduce swelling.
  • Ultrasound treatment. The use of ultrasound may help break down scar tissue around the tendon, increasing circulation and softening the affected area. It may also help with the pain.

Contact Your Chiropractic Doctor

Doctors of chiropractic are licensed experts familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of tendonitis. With an adequate recovery approach, your tendons will improve or altogether recover from its present impairment. Studies show that chiropractic care is one of the most helpful therapeutic approaches for a variety of conditions. Your chiropractic doctor has many tools to help address your pain and discomfort.

The Dallas Chiropractor serves patients with Health Services and Dallas Therapy treatments.

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Tendonitis of Wrist


Tendonitis of Wrist

Tendonitis of Wrist
By Karel Micek

Are you professional baseball player, swimmer, tennis player or golfer? Then you are susceptible to tendonitis in your shoulders, arms, elbows or wrist. Tendonitis of the wrist is an irritation and swelling of the tissue or tunnel which surrounds the tendons of the thumb. Pain in the front of the wrist is a common symptom of tendonitis.

But you do not have to be a professional athlete to develop tendonitis.

– The incidence of tendonitis increases with age as muscles and tendons lose some of their elasticity.

– Improper technique in any sport is one of the primary causes of overload on tissues, including tendons, which can contribute to tendonitis.

Some common names for various tendonitis problems are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder and jumper’s knee.

Treatment of Tendonitis of Wrist

– Rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers

Prevention of Tendonitis of Wrist

– Ease up. Avoid activities that place excessive stress on your tendons.

– Mix it up. If one exercise or activity causes you a particular, persistent pain, try something else.

– Improve your technique. If your technique in an activity or exercise is flawed, you could be setting yourself up for problems with your tendons. Consider taking lessons or getting professional instructions when starting a new sport or using exercise equipment (Powerball Gyroscope)

– Stretch. After warming up and again after you exercise, take time to stretch in order to maximize the range of motion of your joints.

– Prepare your muscles to play. Strengthening muscles used in your activity or sport can help them better withstand stress and load. (Powerball Gyroscope)

Exercise with the Powerball Gyroscope (also called Wrist or Hand Gyro) to strengthen or to warm up your muscles.

– Recommended by Chiropractors

– Profound effect on Carpal Tunnel syndrome, Repetitive Strain injury, tendonitis, arthritis & all wrist related ailments while used for as little as just 5-7 minutes each day

– Gently stress damaged areas

Do you suffer from Tendonitis of Wrist, Elbow, Arm, Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS ), Arthritis, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Wrist Injury / Break, Tennis Elbow / Golf Elbow?

Then you should read more and discover the rehabilatitive qualities of of the Powerball Wrist Gyroscope. Discover the benefits of this explosive, dynamic, exciting…addictive tool.

Here you can find more information about Tennis Elbow, Golf Elbow or Wrist Exercise and about Powerball Wrist Gyroscope.

This will make your exercise fun!

Article Source: //EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karel_Micek


Treatments and Reasons For Tendonitis of the Wrist


Treatments and Reasons For Tendonitis of the Wrist

Treatments and Reasons For Tendonitis of the Wrist
By Anne K West Ph.D.

Wrist Tendonitis, also known as Tenosynovitis, is a difficult problem experienced in the wrist. Tendons are fibrous tissues that join the muscles to the bone, and they carry out a crucial role of keeping the wrists supple and strong.

Many tendons surround your wrists and pass through a tendon sheath known as tenosynovium. Wrist Tendonitis usually takes place when the tenosynovium is not able to facilitate the clear passing of the tendons. The Tendons are then unable to move in a seamless way, and this can cause immense pain around the wrist joints.

Causes of Wrist Tendonitis

Wrist Tendonitis can be generally associated with injury, strain, and the aging process. There may be other medical issues that cause Wrist Tendonitis, but statistics indicate that injury, strain, and age account for the largest occurrences of Wrist Tendonitis.

Overuse of the Wrists: The Wrist Tendons usually get strained when they are overused. Certain groups of people specifically tend to overuse their wrists. For example, people who work on the computer for long hours tend to relentlessly use their wrists and fingers. Tennis players tend to overload their wrists while playing shots. Wrist Tendonitis may also be common in people who play musical instruments such as the piano.

Sprains on Tendons: The Wrist Tendons tend to get injured when athletes and body builders go about their exercise routine using wrong techniques. For example, a body builder may lift weights the wrong way or without properly warming up his/her body and wrists. This places the tendons under immense strain and is likely to cause injury.

Injuries: One can also pick up Tendonitis as a result of injuries to adjacent parts of the tendons. For example, Wrist Tendonitis may also develop because of injuries to elbow tendons. Associated injuries like these usually arise because the injury in the adjacent body part has not healed entirely.

Age: Older people are believed to be more vulnerable to Wrist Tendonitis. This is because their tendons tend to lose the natural flexibility and elasticity with age and become more tough. The tendons are no longer able to move smoothly through the tenosynovium and consequently, the wrist experiences inflammation.

Treatments for Wrist Tendonitis

There are two main treatment solutions for Wrist Tendonitis: medical involvement and natural cure. Medical intervention may require all or any combination of anti-inflammation medicines, Cortisone injections, and surgery. Each of these options has the potential to cure or at least alleviate Wrist Tendonitis to various degrees.

However, allopathic medicines are usually accompanied by side effects and may cause other problems. Hence, one needs to take medicines under strict medical supervision and according to one’s medical situation.

Natural methods, however, are devoid of side effects and can be equally effective in improving Wrist Tendonitis. The other unique selling properties of natural cures are that they are cheap, appropriate to all age groups, and can tackle the problem from it’s roots.

Let’ take a look atseveral natural remedies for Wrist Tendonitis:

Follow sound ergonomic principles: Talk to aknowledgable physiotherapist orhealth specialist,and determine the exact actions or wrist postures that are responsible for the irritation. Once this is solved, stop repeating the postures immediately.

If you work on the computer throughout the day, observe your work space to see whether it follows standard ergonomic principles. If it does not, restructure the office to comply with sound ergonomic principles. Always make certain that your desk area allows you to keep a natural wrist posture while working.

Immobilization: If the inflammation is due to overuse of the wrist, make sure that it gets enough rest. Place your wrist in a splint or cast to rest your tendons. The inflammation will decrease with sufficient rest.

Keep your wrist healthy:You can keep your wrists healthy and supple by buildingyour muscles to respond, and work, therefore decreasing the solo workload of tendons. If you combine the use of muscles and the tendons, the latter will not wear out as quickly.

Also, take routine breaks from work, as this will decrease the stress applied on your tendons. Try alternating between both arms while doing work. For example, if an individual isright handed and use a computer mouse, try using the mouse withyour left hand instead. The strategy is to lessen the burden on one set of muscle and tendon groups.

Apply ice: Applying an ice pack on the swollen area will help cool the inflammation and stimulate the bloo flow.

Natural remedies can thus prevent, as well as alleviate Wrist Tendonitis. As is evident, natural remedies highlight modifications in lifestyle and the way we go about our daily functions.

Consequently, the tendons are more equipped to undertake the strains and stresses of everyday life, provided you give them adequate rest. However, depending on the severity and seriousness ofa person’s inflammation, medical intervention may be appropriate in some cases.

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