Carpal Tunnel

Hi - First-posting newbie here. I've viewed your DVD sample and it looks like it will be very helpful. I'll be purchasing soon. I'm hoping this forum is the appropriate place for my question. I returned to the piano about 5 months ago after several years away (I am 50). I would probably be considered an early-advanced student now. Around Christmas I developed symptoms of Carpal Tunnel in both hands. I believe it was brought on by over-aggressive practicing of a Chopin Polonaise and an Etude. A visit to my physcian confirmed this diagnosis. He advised me to refrain from practicing which I have done pretty much since the beginning of the year. It doesn't help that my full-time job keeps me tied to a computer all day. I've been wearing wrist braces and getting some physical therapy. While it has improved some, things still are not to the point where I can practice pain-free so I keep it very short and infrequent (20-25 minutes 2-3 days/week). The teacher I've been working with is very nice but its plain that he doesn't have any experience dealing with injured students (beyond keeping my repetoire light & simple). I'm thinking maybe my mechanics need to be scrutinized more than he's capable of. I don't believe my CT is bad enough to require surgery but since therapy has only yielded modest results, I'm considering Cortisone shots. Those of course may only providee a few months of relief. My work area is ergonomically good and I've done some things to improve it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts/recommendations. If you know of any useful places on the web about this topic I would be grateful. Thank you for your help ! Dave

Provocative subject heading perhaps, but it puts the point: if you hurt yourself, it must have had something to do with how you are doing it. On the other hand, Rachmaninoff wrote of hands that hurt, and I simply CANNOT BELIEVE that he was doing anything wrong - it doesn't stand to reason. I don't know where you live, but my number one, strong advice to you would be to get yourself to a FELDENKRAIS PRACTITIONER. Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually related to tension in the shoulders and back which might not be related so much to piano playing specifically as to an overall body organization which, unfortunately, leads to problems at the piano. "If you know what you're doing, you can do what you want" (Moshe Feldenkrais), and if you don't know, there may be problems... There are also Feldenkrais tapes available online (Ruthy Alon, or the Russell Delman Introductory Series), that would definitely help more than standard physiotherapy. Use of Self that leads to such injuries is best addressed in the whole body and in all daily activities - globally, that is - if you want to stand the best chance of improving your piano technique. Secondly: with regards to your workstation: do your forearms rest on your desk when you type and mouse? I started doing this years ago and typing never bothered me again. I try to mouse as little as possible, doing everything with keyboard shortcuts. For years I have dreamed of designing a mouse that offers more resistance, because I believe this would cut down on computer injuries, but I haven't had time to do it. Thirdly: your piano technique. Applying the principles shown in my chapters 1 & 2 could well help your syndrome. See the letter I received from Jamie Paige last year ()... I hope this helps! Kind regards, AFF

Thanks for your advice Alan. BTW I'm neglected to mention that I'm located in Milwaukee WI (USA). I will pursue the leads you've provided. There's actually been a new development in my situation. The day I posted my initial message, I had earlier undergone a test ordered by my doctor called a nerve conductivity exam. Its considered the gold standard test for diagnosing CTS. He wanted to confirm the diagnosis before ordering a cortisone injection. Well....the test came back normal which would now seem to indicate that I DON'T have CTS. I guess thats good news. Don't get me wrong, I'm relieved in one sense. It explains why the PT didn't help much. But it also doesn't tell me whats really wrong either. He wants me to see a hand specialist. I think I'll look into your suggestions first. I will try to track down a Feldenkrais instructor. I'm sure I can benefit from that. BTW I also bought your book today & plan on ordering the companion DVD shortly. Thank you for help ! Best, Dave

You may be able to track down a practitioner here: They have a "find a practitioner in your area" search function. Glad to hear you don't have CTS, that's nasty stuff... Good luck and keep me posted! AFF