[CAUT] Lessons from shoulder surgery

[Jim Busby]

Thanks Dennis,

In my case the calcium growths comes with the genes, so catching it early with exercises probably wasn't an option. On my shoulder it looked like a tiny "saw" made of bone that cut flesh and tendon on every movement of my arm.

I asked the doctor and therapist if I was doing something wrong to cause this to happen. Basically, tuning about 20,000 pianos with whatever technique used will do something to your body and your body will respond. In my case, it starts building calcium deposits.

But doing the right exercises and using proper "ergonomic" technique can certainly lessen or delay the inevitable.

Regards,
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of johnsond
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:44 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Lessons from shoulder surgery

Hi-

If you are lucky to catch it early enough, I was amazed at the
improvement and healing I got just doing the daily rotary cup exercises
as recommended in physical therapy.  They also determined I had tennis
elbow, and explained that the wrist position and muscle stress we have
while tuning is the same as for tennis players.  The message is clear-
if you have pain, listen to it.  Do something about it. It will only get
worse if you don't.   We have a physically demanding job.  One that
demands certain physical attention and maintenance or over time you will
have problems...  might anyway, but give yourself a chance.

cheers~

Dennis Johnson
St. Olaf College