Tendonitis

[David ilvedson]

This is some great advice.  I would also advise technicians to 
change their tuning style.  I go forearm pain because I was 
using the small muscles in my forearm to tune.  I began using 
my whole arm/shoulder and I haven't had any problems.  
Change is good.  The ball/tuning hammer is good for changing 
positions during tuning.  Changing positions while tuning is 
helpful.  Sitting, standing, sitting, standing.

David I.

P.S.  I will try the stretching advice!



From:           	"Ra Byn James Taylor" <btnaudio@flash.net>
To:             	<pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject:        	Re: Tendonitis
Date sent:      	Wed, 16 Feb 2000 00:12:01 -0600
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> I read your email & have a suggestion that you are more than welcome to post
> if you like.
> 
> After befriending a guy who not only works on 42 different NHL players &
> more than 10 world champion recordholding athletes I have learned much about
> how to deal with ailments such as tendonitis.
> 
> Here is an example:
> 
> Forearm trouble - what is happening is the muscles in your forearm are over
> tightening. To explain, position your arm in front of you so that you are
> looking at the palm of your hand. Now flex your hand back toward the floor &
> then toward your chest keeping your arm in the same position. Now you have a
> sense of the range of motion & if there is any discomfort at either range
> extreme.
> 
> If you did this for a while you might get some relief but most likely you
> would stop before any real results occur.
> 
> So what needs to happen is these muscles that are over tight must be gently
> stretched. They won't get any real stretch from flexing your hand without
> some outside help.
> 
> This is where the other hand comes into play.
> 
> If you'll grip your forearm about 2 inches away from your elbow joint with
> your opposite hand & flex the other hand toward your chest you will be
> shortening the top forearm muscles. Now while they are short, apply a light
> downward pressure with your thumb & fingers while you slowly flex your hand
> away from you. This is putting resistence against the forearm muscles that
> have been shortening. As they elongate the pressure applied by the opposite
> hand will in essence simulate a bigger range of motion & loosen the muscles
> that are causing the problem. 10 or twenty time on each forearn & you should
> feel adifference if you're doing it correctly.
> 
> To explain in a more universal way...........
> 
> For every muscle that contracts there is a muscle that counters the
> contraction.
> 
> Example : bicep & tricep - one shortens while the other elongates & vice
> versa
> 
> So by applying a slight downward pressure  to the shortened muscle you are
> adding resistence which will stretch the muscle as it flexed toward its
> elongated position more than you could by just flexing it back & forth.
> 
> The same thing goes for any part of your body.
> 
> Most people rub parts of ther pbdy that is giving them problems. This might
> feel good but doesn't solve the problem like over stretching the muscles
> involved will.
> 
> The nice thing about this technique is the fact that you control how much it
> hurts while you are doing it to yourself.
> 
> I hope this makes sense. If not I'll try some again. In some circles its
> called ART for Active Release Therapy. This is the technique the Olympic
> athletes use to get the most out of their training.
> 
> By the way, If done correctly......there is absolutely no justification for
> surgery. NONE.
> 
> If you need some further help, let me know & I'll give you the name of my
> friend & maybe he can explain it better.........
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> ra byn james
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PDtek@AOL.COM <PDtek@AOL.COM>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 9:29 p
> Subject: Tendonitis
> 
> 
> >
> >This isn't the first time, but it's back. Tendonitis in my "key pounding"
> >hand and wrist. I try to hold it down to four pianos a day, but it just
> >flares up now and again. I would like to alternate more with shop work, but
> >sometimes its just all tuning.
> >
> >I give my hand a rest and move it around a few times during tunings and try
> >not to pound any harder than I need to but I can't shake it.
> >
> >Does anyone know of any effective therapy that would help? (Professional or
> >self.) I could see how strength training would help but seems like it might
> >just irritate an area that was already prone to injury. I enjoy my
> avocation
> >as a musician and fear that I may eventually sacrifice mobility in my hand.
> >
> >I would appreciate any suggestions.
> >
> >By the way, I figure that I have tuned about 12,000 pianos. Could this be
> the
> >beginning of the end? I hope not.
> >
> >Dave Bunch
> >
> >
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net