Tendonitis

[pianolady]

Anyone on the group with Tendonitis? I've had this problem since October 2006 and have been wearing a brace since February 2007 to help it. It does help somewhat but I take it off when I go places and then lift something or twist it the wrong way and it's a real pain:( Has going raw helped you with this?

[KatK]

Yes, I had it in my shoulder. A combination of raw and fasting made it go away, for good as far as I can tell.

[juliebove]

I had it years ago. It went away as mysteriously as it came. Dr. threatened to send me to therapy where they would pack my foot in ice. I didn't want that and *bingo* it went away.

[pianolady]

Well, I sure hope mine goes away quickly. It is so agravating. I have been told not to play the piano but as I am needed at church, that is very difficult so I'm looking to see if there are any alternatives. I will definitely stay raw but I was intersted in the fasting, Katk. Was this something you did on your own?

[spicyfull]

Feel better soon...........

[Random Violin Guy]

Hah! You're pianolady and I'm violinguy. Nice to meet another one of my kind.

Do keep in mind while reading this, that I'm not a doctor, I've never taken any medical classes... heck, I even avoided taking biology classes. That being said, I am a violin performance major, and I have gone through some rough times before.

Anyways, I've had short bouts with tendonitis, but never anything that long. Taking a break from piano is more than just a good idea- it's vital... unless of course, playing in church every Sunday is more important to you. What I would recommend is for you to play no more than a few minutes a day. Start with maybe 5 minutes (if that), then SLOWLY increase it to maybe 15 a day, but keep it short and keep it light and easy. If ever you feel the pain, stop. Make it your goal to prevent any tension in your playing; always be vigilant of this in your playing as well as throughout your day. Also, make sure your piano bench is at the right height (I find that chairs are almost always too low for me) such that it's easy to sit up straight, resting the weight of your body on your skeletal system instead of your musculatory system. This is the basis for Alexander Technique, btw.

If you're not already, make sure you ice your sore spots. I've heard different opinions on how to ice, but I'll generally do 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off. I could be wrong about that, though. In any case, icing yourself down is definitely a good idea, and should be done on a regular basis.

I hope this helps somewhat. It's no fun being injured, and it takes time for your body to heal itself. Do whatever you can to allow yourself however long it takes for that to happen. Oh, and if a monofruit diet or fasting help you out at all with this, please let me know. It'd be great to hear about a quick recovery method.

[acudawn]

Hi Pianolady

Where is your tendonitis? Shoulder, elbow, wrist? There are a few different ideas I can offer...first, find a good acupuncturist. I've helped MANY people with tendonitis with acupuncture and moxabustion. Depending on how long you've had it, it could take 3 - 8 sessions to really clear it up.

Also, if you have any concurrent neck or shoulder pain, or if your upper back is rounded or your shoulders are rounded forward, often times tendonitis pain is actually an impingement of the nerves that feed the arm from a postural imbalance. This happens in the neck often times, or, in the "pecs" area, just under your collar bone (this scenario is known as thoracic outlet syndrome). A chiropractor, or a knowledgable massage therapist can often help correct this problem, along with stretching/yoga and/or tai chi/qi gong exercises.

Also, focusing on some anti-inflammatory type herbs and spices in your cooking ... well, your food preparation...sorry! I'm still getting used to not saying "cooking" , such as turmeric, rosemary, ginger, and oregano might help, too.

hope you feel better soon!

[pianolady]

Thanks folks for your imput. Voilinguy, I will try your suggestions as to limiting my playing to short periods and I am absolutely needed in church as the other lady is older and very nervous and one other does shift work so we'll have to work on that. I'll also try the ice as I hadn't thought of that. Acudawn, the tendonitis is on the front of my arm , just forward of the front bone of my elbow and approx 2" below that.It's a real nusiance. I do have a herniated disc in the back of my neck but I didn't connect it with that. Perhaps it isn't but as you say, you never know. I have had accupuncture in the past for an Hiatia Hernia and found good results which is another story how it finally got resolved and so simply! Anyway, I'm off today to a Bridal Shower which is a sit down dinner and family so it can't be avoided. After that a baby shower for the daughter of a close friend-maybe I'll be so busy helping, I'll avoid all the goodies :-) and then on to my great nephews 7th birhtday party. Talk about Food traps, I've got it all at once, but I'm sure you'll all wish me luck in my journey through the Sad diet today. Take care, You're a great group

[Random Violin Guy]

Ooh, I completely forgot- drink plenty of water. Very important! Your body will have a hard time healing itself if you're never really hydrated.

About the icing, I wouldn't ice before you play, but do try to ice your arm down after you're done playing. I've heard "heat before and ice after"... but I just ice after. Mainly because I've also heard never to add heat to an injury, especially if it's the tendons and not the muscles.

OK, I'm off ot meet a cat. If I think of anything else, I'll post again. Best of luck today avoiding the food traps, and I hope you feel better soon!

[hypnocmt]

when you say it is on the front of your arm, do you mean it is on the darker, thicker skin? If so that corresponds with a large intestine meridien point used for shoulder and arm pain. Entending your fingers (pulling them up- esp, the index) and bringing your wrist up toward your arm would affect the extensors which link to the wrist here. Also, any motion which brings your thumb, or radial/thumb-side of your arm toward the elbow uses the brachial radialis muscle, which you can pinch, and kned on that side of the arm. It is also a hard working lifting muscle.

If I am thinking of the same point you are describing, you can do wonders by releasing a trigger poinbt which fires there, Simply applyijng circular, deep rubbing pressure at the spot until you feel it release will help. Then stretching, or rubbing the muscle to elongate it will retrain it to function without the tension.

Repeat often.

Icing it, or using a numbing spray before you start the pressure and stretch routine will help it to let go more easily.

There are many people who specialize in massage, trigger point and acupoint therapy for musicians. ;)

[pianolady]

A big thank you to all of you. I shall try each suggestion and hope for the best because I am afraid it will become chronic and who needs that. I haven't peeled a vegetable in a couple of months as that hurts so hopefully with all your help I shall have success.Yes, I sailed through all the parties today. Along with desserts and sandwiches, each one had many green salads and vegetable platters available, which was great. At the childs birthday party, I was so busy, I had no time to think of food except to feed oodles of precious noisy kids. A great day. Went walking tonight and met a few friends who were walking off all the desserts they ate today, so it felt good to know my daughter and I were just out enjoying the lovely night and not to work off something that would have been disastrous to my body. Take care.