Piano injury?

[mikael.kallin]

I suffer from some strange piano related injury that no doctor has been able to explain so far. When playing, I get pain and the muscles stiffen almost immediately, this happens mostly in the ring/little fingers, the "outside" of my forearms and it radiates up into the back of my shoulders. 

Even though the doctors couldn't explain it they still performed surgery on me three times, two times in my forearms and one at my collarbone. They cut the membrane that surrounds nerve bundles in those areas, however it didn't get better at al.

After several years of pain and misery I finally quit playing piano altogether. Now, it's been eight years and I've started to play easier pieces again. I've been to a hand surgeon here in Sthlm where I live now but he doesn't seem to be able to explain it either.

Has anyone heard of this type of injury and if something can be done about it?

[bablinbrook]

This sounds like a similar pain I get when playing.  I have had successful treatment from two sources:  a chiropractor who specializes in sports injury, and a teacher who has had training in the Alexander Technique.  The chiropractor has helped me with stretches and adjustments to my wrist and elbows.

"The Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support, flexibility, and coordination.  It enhances performance and is therefore a valued tool for actors, dancers, and musicians.  Practice of the Technique refines and heightens kinesthetic sensitivity, offering the performer a control which is fluid and lively rather than rigid.  It provides a means whereby the use of a part--a voice or an arm or a leg--is improved by improving the use of the whole body."  -Barbara Conable (author of How to Learn the Alexander Technique)

The similar strains I suffer from are from holding my hands incorrectly at the piano (slightly turned out instead of directly perpendicular to the keys) and from very rigid muscles during practices and performances.  The pain can start in my neck and radiate all the way to the tips of my fingers.  For me, correct posture and relaxation techniques have been helpful.  I haven't actually studied the Alexander Technique, I've only skimmed through the manual.  But I have a very accomplished university professor who recommends it highly and has given me a few techniques from that method.  You might look into it.

Piano injuries are not all that uncommon.  I have been a university student for 6 years and have heard lectures on preventing it every single semester.  The injury you describe is the most common, and shoulder injury is next most common.  It's sad that you have had to give up playing, but it is not unlikely that you will be able to continue enjoying your talent.  Good luck in finding the answers you need!

[Essyne]

I agree w/ bablinbrook. The Alexander Technique is phenomenal, especially when coupled with chiropractics. I wouldn't recommend "only skimm[ing] through the manual" though - there are plenty of experts out there - check the Net.

EDIT : I mean check the Net for instructors, master classes, etc. - It's a "hands on approach" (no pun intended  ) and I would recommend having an instructor present so that you do it correctly and don't create yet another injury.

[0range]

I too have heard good reviews of the Alexander Technique, although I have no experience with it myself.

[dan101]

Although I did not find any personal benefit from the Alexander Technique, I would still encourage you try try it... it may be right for you.

I was saddened by your ongoing problem. Some of my students tense up before performing. However, I've always been able to mentally calm them, which also lead to a physical relaxating of the fingers, arms and shoulders.

Do keep us informed of your progress and best of luck.

[musicrebel4u]

All the problems with piano injuries, technique, freedom of muscles, stiffness of shoulder and neck come from the simple fact: we start learning piano in visual 'darkness': keys and notes are the similar looking objects and we afraid to make 'wrong' move in order to avoid false sounds.

Physiologists already found long ago that blindness leads to muscle stiffness. Blind children are slower then normal in coordination development.

This is why traditional piano pedagogy is having problem #1 – injuries and problems with piano technique. It starts teaching students in 'blind mode'

[mikael.kallin]

So, now I'm back again! The strangest thing happened, I started working at a lab and while no doctor has been able to find out what's wrong with me or even heard of the condition before, I met a guy at that lab who has the exact same problem! He said that he finally found out that he has a spinal disc herniation in his neck, so I'm hoping to go and check my neck out aswell!

[jgallag]

You might look into the Feldenkrais Method as well. It's a different approach from Alexander, from what I hear (not an expert on either, correct me if I'm wrong), but after a session with a Feldenkrais instructor (who also had a B.M. in Piano Performance, so she understood) I was able to clear up a lot of severe tension problems.

Honestly, though, I can't believe your post. Not you, but the fact that doctors would operate when they don't know what the problem is. It makes me afraid to go there sometimes. I'm getting the impression that the medical field is like any other business, and that we cannot trust these people (Whom we're supposed to trust! Hippocratic oath, anyone?) because in the end it does not matter to them what our problem is, only that they receive money for it while avoiding a lawsuit.

Anyways, I would never seek help from a medical professional for problems related to the playing mechanism. There are too many knowledgeable physical therapists who are trained specifically to work with musicians, and too many musicians specializing in techniques like Alexander and Feldenkrais.

[sitbon09]

Firstly, I was very saddened to read your post.  Did you have this injury prior to playing the piano or did playing the piano exacibate it?  Did you ever see a reputable piano teacher to diagnose the problem?  Last year I had to stop playing for a while as a computer related injuiry made playing painful.  It has taken over a year of combined phyisotherapy and classes with both my piano teacher and an Alexander practitioner who is also a musician (Google poise and Alexander) to resolve the problems.  I cannot praise Alexander technique enough which has helped me enormously to understand what I was doing phyically and 'redirect' it.   Piano technique wise, my own technique...what there was...was also to blame.  Key bedding, holding tension, in essence not relaxing enough and not using the right coordinate movements for the passage at hand.   

Based on my own experience I can only advise that if you are experiencing pain when playing then if it can't explained medically then it must be related to your technique.  Find a good teacher even for a period of time and get a diagnostic!!!  Also check out Taubman technique via the Golandsky Institute which continues to help many pianists suffering injury.

Andrew

[tdow]

The Alexander Technique is most useful when you have access to a teacher of this method.  It's more difficult to get the same results using the materials on your own.

Chiropractic could certiainly help - it could be that you are aggrevating a pre-existing spinal injury by the posture you adopt at the piano.

[biscuitroxy12]

The Alexander technique is very helpful. I've broken both of my fourth fingers in the last 4 years (one in a car door) and another at a Conservatory Music Camp in the Summer. It was a 9'7 Concert grand piano lid. My accompaniment pianist (four handed music) wanted to raise the lid. She was weak so I went over to help her. She thought that i had most of it and dropped it. This 500+ Pound lid fell and crushed my fourth finger and it was hard to play at the recital that weekend. I used the alexander technique that whole month because my hand and arm became traumatized and it wouldn't move for a few weeks and it hurt and ached and tingled for the next month. I went to the chiropractor and stretched it out a ton. I still get sharp cold pains through it when I'm playing but not as bad! I have heard of your injury i know it's very painful and very tragic for the person to live with.

[dmckeethan]

https://www.alexandertech.org/index.html Here's the link for the Alexander Technique.
At this site you can find local 'teachers' and connect in your area.  I've already contacted
someone in my area inquiring about someone to work with me.

Yes I've sustained some damage.  When I was 16, many years ago, I over-practiced a very
robust assignment from my piano teacher.  I showed up for the next lesson with  tendonitis,
or so the doctor called it.  It took a long time to recuperate.  Lessons were over.  When I went
to college my piano professor worked with me on posture and relaxation of shoulders.  It helped
but I was still plagued with tightening forearms, and pain.  I've learned to deal with it - but found
out I have fibromyalgia and cervical disc disease.  Long story made short, I've had my share of
trouble with hands.  Relaxation is key.  Rest.  Learning music mentally and simply reading it away
from the keyboard is helpful.  I'm looking forward to working with the Alexander technique...so
thanks for the suggestion.  Just everyone remember you CAN take too many anti-inflammatories.
 

[keyboardclass]

Hey, great post dm!  And welcome to ps, I'm new here myself.

[pianodan1]

Sorry to hear about smashing your fingers with the piano lid.
It also happened to one of my customers in my piano store; that's why I invented the Magic Lid, also known as Safety Ease; it will prevent that for happen again!
Kind regards
Danny