The first wealth is health. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher, and poet
One drawback of playing in a small musical group is that every musician is “exposed” and every part is important.
During the school year, I play in a symphonic band comprised mostly of college students and adults from the community at large.
Some of the students are music majors playing a secondary instrument; others played in high school but don’t have room in their schedule for a group that meets several times per week. Most of the adults played when they were in school and have actively sought to continue playing in a group.
Over time, the intricacy of the pieces we’ve played has blossomed, yet the number of musicians really hasn’t grown much. That means every one of us is crucial to the whole. None of us can “hide,” thinking someone else will cover the passages we can’t perform.
I was feeling the pressure as our three concerts loomed. No way did I want to be the Weakest Link! So I must’ve overdone my practice sessions because since our final concert in April, I’ve noticed a growing pain in my right arm. Holding my flute has become difficult.
In early May, I consulted my chiropractor, who advised me to apply ice twice a day, 10 minutes per time. My flute teacher suggested I rest the arm, use pain relievers as necessary, and quit playing until things could heal.
Argh!
How could I, with summer band starting so soon?
As long as I was “resting,” my arm felt okay, but our first hour-and-a-half long band practice negated that.
Then my flute teacher asked me to show her how I’m holding my instrument.
“Ah, there’s your problem,” she said, pointing out my stiff-as-a-board right thumb. “You really should have that bent a bit.”
Seriously?
Turns out, the rubberized device I was using to help me hold my flute steady was actually encouraging my thumb to stiffen! Playing wrong for so many years now makes playing right feel wrong. Make sense?
When I relayed this to my chiropractor, he agreed that could be the source of my tendonitis. He recommended continuing to ice, as well as adding a tennis elbow strap for when I practice and a rubber ball to roll around inside my palm as passive exercise.
Things are slowly beginning to feel better, but it’s sure been a long haul. And you know? I played tennis for several hours a day almost every day when I was younger, yet I never had these issues.
Must be old age.
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Oh, my! No doubt aging has a lot to do with it. Glad you have more or less found a solution. Best of luck going forward.
Thanks, Laurie. I’m short on patience, so “resting” hasn’t been fun for me; still, I know it’s helped. What probably doesn’t help is that I’m right-handed and use that arm for my computer mouse, walking Monkey, and a billion other things!
Age could have something to do with it, but there’s such a thing as a repetitive stress injury, and I’d bet on that for your arm. Holding a paintbrush for thirty years has done the same for me. The first joint of my right forefinger is now canted about 20 degrees to the right, and the thumb joint of that hand is the only place where arthritis has set up.
Beyond that, I once had lower back problems so severe that I hardly could walk more than a block without having to bend over to relieve the stress. A very smart orthopedist said, “Probably a stress fracture caused by repetitive bending over at the waist while you work.” He sent me to a sports therapist, who gave me some exercises, and within a month I was painfree. Now, if I feel a twinge, I start the exercises again, and all is well. I hope the same for you!
“Repetitive stress injury.” YES, that’s what they’re calling it! I’ve been trying to use my left arm when I can (like walking Monkey), so as to give my right one more rest. The ice helps — doesn’t hurt that it feels good when the temps are up in the 80s, either!
I’m sorry about your back pain (and can empathize, since I, too, face issues there), but I’m glad the exercises help. I’ve found that doing twice-daily exercises really help my back (thank you, Dr. Chiropractor!)
Yup as we age, we need to adapt to new stresses. Glad things are improving
Thanks, John. None of us want to think about getting older, but the body is a machine, and I suppose it’s programmed to wear down in places. I’m fortunate to have caught this early.
I agree that it is good you caught it early.
Debbie, I am so glad your flute teacher discovered the reason for your shoulder pain. Isn’t it something how even the slightest way of doing something wrong can affect our body, long-term?
And speaking of “age”, I discovered that I have a bit of arthritis along the thumb of my left hand. And I discovered it was arthritis from a client I was assisting in my store. She has it in her finger as well. I’ve been taken turmeric supplements and I have to say that they really work. Turmeric is great for any kind of inflammation.
Have a super week, my friend! X
Ron, if it makes you feel any better, I know that arthritis doesn’t just affect folks after they reach a certain age. Why, my aunt has had arthritis since she was in her late teens! With it running in my family, I’m trying to be really aware of how I move, what I eat, how much sleep I get, and so on … just to ward off the aches and pains that come with time.
Turmeric, huh? I have a friend who swears by that. I bought some some time ago, but I chickened-out on taking it. Maybe I’ll give it a second chance since you, too, have recommended it. Thanks for the nudge! xx
Yep, I fear our bodies demand more coddling as we mature, but I find ice is the answer to nearly every pain! Hope you’re back in action in plenty of time for summer concerts. Don’t forget that medicinal chocolate always helps… 😉
Ice is great when the temperatures climb, but heat feels so much more soothing when it’s snowing outside! We started summer band last week and, while I’m still not fully healed, things do feel better. And once I’m immersed in the concert experience, I sort of tend to “forget” the pain … until we finish, and I realize anew that it still hurts. Sigh.
It’s like you have to learn to play all over again! I hope the measures you are taking will produce pain-free results.
Thanks, Eliza! You know, little kids just starting to play a musical instrument rarely give a thought to proper posture and potential pain. We adults have to be fully cognizant of those potentialities. But playing without pain is so rewarding!
I’m sorry for your pain but so glad you’ve found the cause. I hope you’re feeling better soon and able to continue playing.
Thank you, Ann. It still hurts, but I have no intention of quitting! I’m not happy having this pain, and I don’t want to make it worse, but I get too much enjoyment from playing to stop now.
Unfortunately, it’s your new normal. Aging is really a hard adjustment. I’m 70 now, so I know. Still stay active but modify. I’m rolling my eyes here! LOL! Feel better! FYI….Voltern gel is my daily friend. Get some. Biofreeze too.
Thanks, Tanya — wise words from one who’s “been there, done that”!!
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