As a result of two serious car accidents I’m unable to develop the strength needed to play for long periods at a time. Too much playing (carrying heavy objects or stressing the affected areas) brings on inflammation that causes unbearable pain through my neck, shoulders and arms. Sometimes this causes numbness in my hands.
Playing hard reeds is totally out of the question.
I can’t be the only one to have muscular pains from playing pipes… What say ye?
Do I see any raised hands? Hurts, doesn’t it?
Tony,
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I’m really very sorry and saddened to hear of your difficulties!
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Your reeds do NOT need to be killers! I’m alwasy amazed to see JUST how light they can be made…I’m not one for overly light reeds. But people like T. Britton certainly can help. A narrow bore or flat pitch could also help considerably I would imagine.
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Have you spoken with a Doctor or physical therapist concerning any strengthening exercises, or whether or not you should truly be playing at all? I hate to say it..but you could be causing MORE damage.
You’ll be in my prayers
Davey B
Currently using very soft reeds (just ask my back D) that break octave easily.
I’m dating a physical therapist who runs an acupuncture clinic. She’s given me a series of treatments (and I her) along with an exercise plan that is helping.
Tried one narrow bore D and haven’t found it needing less pressure to play. I’ll do some experiments with reeds this year.
I had a rotator cuff injury on my left bag shoulder… I picked up the pipes some 9 months ago…I have been playing at a feverous pace 30-60 min a day..other than fatigue..It seemed as if the shoulder got stronger. When I recd my half set 3 months ago that was a setback to the shoulder but mainly due to lack of experience. When I am fresh and strong the struggle goes away. I take it that you Tony have been playing a while so your probably relaxed and therefore your pain is not the result of excess or necessary muscle tension…notwithstanding same the mind can be tricked into pain and sometimes comfort. I always view the pipes as exercise ,stretching before and after and stopping when tension builds …take a few sips of stout and get back to it. That’s it… more stout!
Dating a physical therapist is probably detrimental as men never listen to women…
This latter comment should be disregarded if you are getting daily massage.
I do all I can to correct the quirks with playing , there may be several , I do rieki , chinese heath balls , tai chi , anything to get to the heart of " what ails ay " . If anything , on the poipes . never give up , I had a bad back for years , all gone due to the above mentioned healing modalities . + others ,
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I do all I can to correct the quirks with playing , there may be several , I do rieki , chinese heath balls , tai chi , anything to get to the heart of " what ails ay " . If anything , on the poipes . never give up , I had a bad back for years , all gone due to the above mentioned healing modalities . + others , . Tony , you got to chill for a spell , give it all time , the chinese say , the chinese say , the blood moves the bones the bones move the tendons the tendons move the skin . I hurd a piper say once , 'time enough for everything " . so , chill ! lol .
[ This Message was edited by: tok on 2003-01-16 17:58 ]