Carpal Tunnel

[radmila]

Does anybody knows if it is possible to get back to a serious piano playing with a diagnosed carpal tunnel syndorom? I did not get it from playing but from pregnancy... Life is tricky! 

[pianowolfi]

I have an adult student who has had carpaltunnel syndrome. Recently she has had surgery and now she is back into piano playing. She only had to cancel one lesson!  Surgery has been very helpful!

[invictious]

Depends, but it really depends on the situation, such as severity of the CTS etc.

Sometimes you will never recover back to full ability, but well..life IS tricky.

[radmila]

Thanks for your answers.
How severe is my problem I don't know exactly, but I don't have any pain so far - only numbness.
As for the surgery I heard that it is not so good and even some doctors do not recommend it. I can play now for about 30 min. without problems. Still searching for a cure!

[pianistimo]

from pregnancy?  do you think you were depleted after pregnancy of calcium?  i vaguely remember leg cramps and occasional muscle problems too, during and right after.  i wonder if when you body is replenished of nourishment it needs - (and possible back problems - if you are experiencing numbness) that you'll be fine.  you're probably doing a good thing by limiting practice time.

i heard that going to a chiropractor for several sessions after childbirth was good.  unfortunately, i had my fill of chiropractors while a teenager.  so, i use bicycling.  it stretches out the spinal column and gets each of the bones to move around a bit (and  hopefully go into place if they are out).  this has been a much less stressful thing than hearing them 'pop' into place at a chiropractors.  i never liked that.  (sorry to any chiros that are out ther e-because i know it's helpful when you're dying of pain). 

i hope the problem is not long term - but just a temporary one. 

some things that help me - not typing on the computer as much (every single day) - not doing repetitive things excessively.  not opening tight jar lids (big one!).  not lifting children too much.  generally being careful about lifting anything.  and, massage.  you can do this even while doing dishes.  massage one arm/wrist and then the other.  it just feels good.  i don't know if it helps or not.

[pianowolfi]

Thanks for your answers.
How severe is my problem I don't know exactly, but I don't have any pain so far - only numbness.
As for the surgery I heard that it is not so good and even some doctors do not recommend it. I can play now for about 30 min. without problems. Still searching for a cure!

Numbness is severe. Ok every case is different and needs to be diagnosed carefully before. Some cases don't require surgery, some do. It needs to be carefully checked out! But i think IF there is surgery indicated and you look for a good surgeon, a specialized hand surgeon whom you can trust, the chance will be very good that everything will be fine. The worst thing that can happen is that in some very little percentage of the cases you would have the same problem again as it was before and you would have to do a second surgery. As far as i know and this student's experience has showed to me. I am not a surgeon and not a physician, just a piano teacher! 

[cjp_piano]

Go see a good chiropractor.  Two of my friends had carpal tunnel syndrome, and were actually CURED after several visits, no joke, without surgery.   

[radmila]

Thanks. I will definitely try a chiropractor. I did not do it yet.
Radmila

[invictious]

numbness is the progressed form of carpal tunnel syndrome..after pain.
That's when the nerved is compressed to a certain extent..

Go see one now.
NOW.

NOW!!!!

[radmila]

I saw a doctor yesterday and he told me that my carpal tunnel is in a mild stage. And in July they suggested me a surgery!
Advice to everybody: do your research before any surgery. It seems thtat doctors will tell you very little - only to take a cortison shot or surgery. There is a good book by KAte Montgomery with nice streching excersises and yoga streches are also good. Believe or not that helps. I've been also taking a bunch of supplements : vitamin B6, magnezium and calcium, Omega 3. Chondrotine etc...
My concern is how is going to be when I get back to playing regularly!
Thanks everybody for advice.
Radmila

[danny_sequel]

Several authors dealing with tensionless piano playing Feldenkrais, Taubman, Mark, Alexander, Dybvig, Lister-Sink have had to do with pianists/students with CTS and many of them fully recovered. CTS develops when the tendons/nerves become inflamed and being the carpal tunnel narrow any extra room used by the swollen tendons will make them scratch through the bony surface of the carpal tunnel.

There are two reasons why pregnant women get CTS

1) The increased weight and larger abdomen puts a strain on the back in order to maintain normal equilibrium. This strain co-contracts the muscle of the back attacched to tendons of the arms. In this condition the flexor scratches against the bony wall of the carpal tunnel any time you move your hand or arms

2) The hormonal changes during pregnancy created a build up of fluid. This causes a tenosinuvitis which fill the narrow space in the carpal tunnel pressing the flextor against the median

Since both conditions reverse after the baby is born pregnancy-induced CTS goes always away; it takes usually few months but can also takes more up to 6 months

I suggest you to read this interesting book anyway.

Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[maxd]

Steinway has just recently lowered the weight of their action.
this should be a relief to those who suffer from problems due to fatigue..

there is NO NEED to have so much weight under the fingers.

[yara]

Radmila, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is very reversible ( treatable ), you can ask your doctor to initially prescribe you NSAID ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ) or a cortisone injection. Doesn't have to be surgery right straight.