Advice on tuning techniques for recovering tendonitis sufferer

[Brooks & Yumi]

I am getting to this rather late (two weeks away from my computer)...
    I have the same condition in my left arm from the repeated impact of striking the key.  My physical therapist recommended cross fiber massage (very specific technique - involves a small movement across the tendon connection to the bone to break up scar tissue - ask a physical therapist) and ice.
    I now use a wrist brace with a metal support on the underside (drug store purchase).  This is used with a striker consisting of two pieces of hammer sciving glued together and a piano hammer glued into that all to act as a cushion, wrapped with an ace bandage in my hand to prevent me from gripping the sriker.  A little hard to descibe.  It has helped a lot.

Brooks Weisman RPT
Arcata & Napa, CA
brooksw at jps.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert Finley 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 8:02 PM
  Subject: Advice on tuning techniques for recovering tendonitis sufferer


  Since July of last year I have been suffering from lateral epicondylitis in my left arm, or tennis elbow. I am not sure if I got this by practicing the piano, tuning pianos, lifting a heavy suitcase, playing golf or what. I have had a couple of cortisone injections and physical therapy sessions, and now the problem has almost disappeared. After this problem started, I had to severely cut back on my piano tunings because it was painful when I had to hit the keys firmly with the fingers of my left hand to settle the strings. I recently tuned a piano and tried to hit the key with my right hand, then hold the key down with my left finger while I turned the tuning hammer with my right hand. It took longer but I was able to tune the piano, and it reduced the amount of pain I had in my left arm. The last thing I want to happen is to aggravate my arm and for this problem to come back, and then to eventually need surgery. I have heard that surgery is not always successful and can lead to permanent irreversible damage. It's a very scary thought since I am a concert pianist and teacher as well. 

  I have heard that some piano technicians use a technique where they hit the key with a smaller amount of force and gently push the string with a small rod or tool to equalize the tension along the speaking length. This avoids the need to hit the key firmly and achieves the same effect, whilst reducing the chance of getting tendonitis and tinnitus (due to high sound levels that might cause hearing loss unless ear plugs are used). 

  My question is, has anyone used this and how successful is it? Do you push the string downwards or horizontally inwards? Does it matter? Is this done after the key had been struck? What is the sequence of actions to use? How long would you expect to complete a piano tuning using this technique? 

  Thank you for your help. 

  Robert Finley
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