Returning to play after an injury

Subject: Returning to play after an injury
From: Marion
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 02:56 PM

Hello folks. I've been on musical sabbatical for five months because of tendinitis pain in my hands and wrists. I am seeing some improvement, and since I am quitting my computer job this week (good news for my hands, though bad news for my Mudcat participation :() I am hopeful that soon I will be able to start again. I play fiddle and guitar.

Does anyone have any advice as to how to handle the process of reintroducing music after an injury and long sabbatical?

Thanks,

Marion

Subject: RE: Returning to play after an injury
From: Willie-O
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 05:27 PM

I figure your muscles tell you, I'm in a similar situation myself (rotator cuff & tendonitis in my left arm.) Fiddle is the worst to play for contorting yourself, and raising your left arm so high. I'm going to get a shoulder rest attachment (Shoulder pad on about 2-3" legs attached between bottom of fiddle) for my fiddle.

I find guitar much easier to play. Mandolin is somewhere in between the two--the position is O.K. but I have to tense up my left arm muscles to finger cleanly, it's a problem after awhile.

Good luck eh...

Bill

Subject: RE: Returning to play after an injury
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 10:13 PM

Marion,

View it as learning all over again. I've learned to play now three times. Just as the first time, you should go slowly, when it starts to be uncomfortable stop and rest awhile. Play sitting down with a straight back and good posture. Be aware of your missing callouses and don't over do your finger tips. You'll want to go faster than is good for you but take baby steps. Start playing with a capo on the fourth fret to limit the finger span rewuired for three fret chords and avoin barre chords for the time being.

BUT GO SLOW!

Don

Subject: RE: Returning to play after an injury
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 10:36 PM

Wishing you a speedy recovery Marion

Maybe you don't have to limit your Mudcat participation. How about you press O when you agree with someone's posting and X when you don't.

Banjo Bonnie

Subject: RE: Returning to play after an injury
From: Terry
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 12:54 PM

Poor Marion! I hope you'll recover completely and quickly.

You've received good advice -- do go slowly. I broke my wrist this summer and wore a cast for six weeks. Not being able to play my fiddle nearly drove me crazy,and I even tried to play WITH the cast on, which only frustrated me (and scratched the fiddle!) In my zeal to make up for lost time once the cast was off, I probably delayed the healing. Now, I limit my practice and put my instrument away before my wrist begins to ache. That way, I can at least play more frequently, if for shorter periods. It's been two months since the cast came off and my bowing is still a bit stiff. So, I've gone back to the basics. As Don said, it's like learning all over again.

Good luck!