melodeon injury?

Subject: RE: melodeon injury?
From: GUEST,Toenails John
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 01:52 PM

Um yep, that's an interesting one, I myself an accordion player, suffer now and again with, what i would describe as tennis elbow in my left elbow, usually when playing a lot, but it takes a few weeks of heavy playing (5-6 nights a week) before it kicks in, just repetative strain really i suppose, as for the knuckles????

Mind you one thing did cross my mind, I knew a banjo player once who suffered terrible joint problems with his fingers, just came on over a period, having tried everything, just as the music world was preparing to celebrate the departure of a banjo player, some smartass sugested, "Your fingers is ruined with rheumatism boy, Go git yerself a copper bracelet!!" which he did, and i'm sorry to say that it cured the problem in about 3 to 4 weeks, and last i heard he was still playing the F***ING thing.

However if this tragic story has a silver lining with wich to rescue a box player, I believe in passing it on
:o)

Subject: melodeon injury?
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 01:03 PM

Hi there
I've been looking for threads on injuries caused by instruments but I can't think of the right keywords to use. One of my new playing colleagues has a swollen knuckle, painful arm and weakened elbow which she thinks might be caused by repeated practice on the melodeon. She recently swapped from two straps to one because the blood was draining out of her hands. Anyway she is going to the doctor but I said as well as an ordinary medical opinion, folks on here had more specialist knowledge. I also suggested she should take the instrument to the doctor so he can see exactly what she does with it.
Can anyone direct me to relevant threads? Hopefully she will visit the site soon and join in if you can manage not to be too sarcastic about melodeons please!
Jennifer