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Topic: Medical Problems of Pianists  (Read 1662 times)

Offline iogha

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Medical Problems of Pianists
on: July 24, 2007, 09:33:04 PM
I am facing surgery on my left hand thumb (carpometacarpal surgery).  I am a professional pianist and professor of piano and am wondering if any other performing pianists have had this operation, the outcome and satisfaction.

Offline spaciiey

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Re: Medical Problems of Pianists
Reply #1 on: July 29, 2007, 08:15:43 AM
I cant say I have... but I am FAR from a professional pianist.

Hope that if you do have surgery, that it goes well.

Offline thalberg

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Re: Medical Problems of Pianists
Reply #2 on: July 31, 2007, 08:33:42 AM
Well, before you have surgery I might try some other things.

Personally I'd recommend ART (Active Release Technique).  I've heard of these guys preventing people from needing carpal tunnel surgery.

 Go to activerelease.com to find a practitioner in your area.

It's painless and harmless-feels sort of like a massage as they press and stretch stuff gently.  They can break up scar tissue, free up nerves, and all sorts of absolutely magical things.

Like I say, it's painless and harmless and works sort of quickly--give it half a dozen visits and see what happens.  You have nothing to lose.  It can't hurt you.  It cured my friend's tendonitis and worked wonders for a nerve issue I was having.  All musicians need it I think.  Have him work on your forearms as well as whatever hand stuff.

Offline pianistimo

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Re: Medical Problems of Pianists
Reply #3 on: August 03, 2007, 01:42:17 PM
has anyone heard the story of leon fleischer's career?  apparently he got focal dystonia in the rh and had to quit performance for quite a while and became a conductor - and then somehow botox injections for something else? (carpel tunnels?) because he was holding the baton too tightly - and it loosened up his wrist so much - he went right back to playing the piano.

i'm pretty sure this was leon fleischer.

Offline pianistimo

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