Hello, wondered if someone could advise me on RSI.

I seem to have developed RSI in my RH about 2 weeks. At least I'm assuming that is what it is. It started with a dull ache and now has developed into occasional pins and needles in the hand and forearm, mainly during practice and then for a few hours after. From reading other posts on this forum and other general advice on the web I'm fairly confident that is what it is.

I have stupidly increased practice too quickly, going from half hour 3/4 times a week, to an hour a day (everyday). I don't see the point in going to the doctor because I think its fairly obvious that I have overdone it and need to rest.

My teacher doesn't think I have any technique issue. I think that I have just overdone, I also use a computer all day which obviously doesn't help. I almost certain the computer isn't the problem because I started to get the pain when I was on holiday for 2 weeks and not using a PC much.

I have reduced practice by quite a lot, I took a few days off when it first started and got back into it again gradually, playing for only a 10mins a day or a few minutes at a time before taking a break. And some days I have not played at all. But it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

My question to other RSI sufferers (or anyone else who has experience of this) is how long should I rest? and should the rest be complete rest or is it ok to practice small amounts at a time. I need to consider if I should cancel my exam (booked for late June). I realise that everyone's recovery time is probably different but are we talking weeks or months??

Any advice would be great........thanks

I would suggest that you do go to see your GP. Even if your diagnosis is correct (and I'm not saying it isn't), getting medical advice via the internet from people you've never met and who can't examine you surely isn't to be recommended.

RSI is quite a generic term. In my experience, GPs can find it hard enough to be more specific even when you're sitting in front of them. From your description, it could be carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, or all sorts of other things. But it's quite impossible to tell from here, and it would be foolish to offer further advice or diagnosis - other than to get yourself to your GP as soon as poss. You say it doesn't seem to be improving - which must surely be ringing a few alarm bells. Your GP will refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Best of luck!

Do do do go and see your GP. It might seem obvious to you, but you must have a correct diagnosis. When I developed severe tendon trouble, the advice was rest for 2 weeks and then slowly build up. But this was specific for me. I was also given wrist splints (very attractive) but they worked because they helped me to remember to take things easy. I also got wonderful service in shops!! There are lots of things you can do to help, but you need that diagnosis to find out the next steps.

Absolutely please do go to the doctor. I won't bore you with the details but I have problems with my arms and needed urgent physio treatment, which was arranged for the same day. Without that I would be in a far worse situation than I am now. Whatever condition you turn out to have might not get better without treatment and could get worse. I had it so badly that I was barely able to brush my hair. After feeling the pain I carried on with my normal activities for three weeks. By this time I could hardly turn the page of a book. Sorry if I am scaring you. All the very best.

thanks for the replies.........so did you get better?

Speaking as a doctor - go to your doctor. It can do no harm and may help enormously to have a suitably qualified physician take a proper (i.e. interactive and tailored) history and actually examine the problem. What that person then advises will then be far better informed than anything you could possibly get from the internet. Good luck!

Lots of good advice above, especially "See your doctor".

Labelling it RSI may or may not be helpful, but my two-pence worth could be ...

1. On the rare occasions that I have developed pains and aches from (musical) keyboard work cutting down on practice does not work. It seems that once a problem has developed even a small amount of whatever caused it is enough to stop the damage from repairing itself. So if the cause was some aspect of piano playing, then I have to stop playing completely - but usually only for a few days.

2. I have found that using a computer mouse is a couple of orders of magnitide more damaging than even an enormous amount of daily piano practice.

ok thanks point taken.

I've already accepted that I won't be taking the exam, i really just wondered how long it would be likely that I'll be out of action for. But I guess everyone is different.

In my case Scratchet, I am much better in that I can now cut my toast, brush my hair and teeth and no longer need treatment twice a week. I have treatment about every four weeks. I have had the problem for about five years. It helps if you do exercise as well such as swimming and not spend too much time on the computer. I have been told to avoid breast stroke but can do front crawl and back stroke. Also it helps to listen to your body. If your arms ache in whatever activity you are doing, it is best to stop and not work through it as you can cause yourself more damage. I also had the tingling in my fingers, which was caused from some nerve running from the neck down the arm. Hope that helps.

My tip is to get an ergonomic keyboard and mouse for computer use. Along with a slight change in piano technique, this completely cured my problems last year and I haven't had any pain since. I've increased my practice to about 15 hours a week too.

Dave.

I was in a very similiar situation to the point where I couldnt even sign my own name! I refused to acknowledge it for some time and had a nasty accident with the just boiled kettle simply falling out of my hand (fortunately son was there to administer first aid) However, the splints did help to remind me not to use my right hand. When I eventually returned to using it, there was considerable muscle wastage. Do see your Dr and get a referral to a physio.

Yes yes yes, try them out and buy the best you can afford. The 'handshake' mouse, although cumbersome to look at, enabled me to return to my pc without the anxiety of pain.

I had RSI a few years ago whilst studying jazz flute at music college. When I started getting warning signs I asked my teacher (who was mainly a sax teacher) about my technique which he said was fine but after I got really bad when I looked back at videos of gigs I'd played it turned out there was a problem with my hand position I'd been oblivious to and my teacher had missed. Had to withdraw and before I could return the course was withdrawn.

Anyway definitely go to the doctor as even if they can't identify the exact type of RSI they can give you anti inflammatory meds on prescription.

[quote name='Scratchet' date='May 16 2009, 06:18 PM'


Any advice would be great........thanks
[/quote]


I really feel for you it must be horrible wanting to play but unable to.

Not sure what level you are, but how about concentrating on some music theory? even buying a Grade workbook with a view to taking an exam, this would give you something to take your mind off playing and could also be very useful

Best of luck anyway, hope you get a diagnosis and treatment soon so you can start playing.

P.S. What instrument do you play?

since original post my hand had swelled up so I went to the docs, he reckons tenosynovitis. So advice is to rest, take ibuprofen, and use ice (put arm and hand in bucket of ice water). And get back into playing slowly.

seems like this was a warning to improve technique, take more breaks, build up slowly.

For anyone reading this. I would advise that you should always take notice of ANY pain and stop straight away, also I'm 32 I play loads of other sports and consider myself to be fairly fit. I thought RSI would never happen to me but it can happen to anyone so please don't think your invinciable.

thanks for all the replies.

PS has anyone seen this www.piano-yoga.com

might be worth a try?

altoclef3 - thanks yes going to study and read anything I can get my hands on. I was studying for Grade 6 piano.

lilmizbloodbath - so are you ok now? how long were you out for?

Here's the keyboard I use :

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseand...ls.aspx?pid=043

And the mouse :

http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html

I think employers have a legal obligation to provide something suitable if you have problems. I can't stress enough how much it helps. I spend about 6 hours a day typing and (only) another 2 at the piano, so you can see that you could cause many more problems at your desk.

Good luck to everyone with issues. You can and will sort them out!

Dave.

I've had issues with my hands for about 10 years. I started getting aching across the backs of both hands and shooting pains up my arms, but it wasn't continual or consistent with any particular activity. I'd have months when my hands would just cramp up and I couldn't hold anything small, like an umbrella or computer mouse. Other months I'd be OK.

Eventually the doctors decided that I had hypermobility and vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin problem can obviously be solved and that makes things a bit easier. They can't do anything about the hypermobility though so I'll never be completely back to a pain-free existence.

Computers still cause me most grief. I use a giant trackball mouse which I can roll using my forearms, and I have switches attached to it which are stuck under the desk and I hit them with my knees to do left and right clicks. http://www.qedonline.co.uk/catalog/product...products_id=439
The only time I use my hands is for typing, and I have an ergonomic keyboard to help with that.
For a while, when the pain was really bad, I used Dasher, a weird programme that allows you to type by moving the mouse sidways. http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/

The hypermobility has completely mucked up my music. Even if my vitamin D levels are OK, I can still only bumble through pieces that are about grade 5 standard, and playing cello for a whole concert requires painkillers. I've had to come to terms with the fact that I'll never be able to practise enough to play anything really well and the pieces I used to love playing - Chopin nocturnes and Beethoven sonatas - are completely beyond me now. Thankfully I can still compose!

Yes this is the "handshake" mouse that I use, the difference was amazing! However, I wanted to try it out before buying and was completely unable to find any high street shops that stocked it, so I had to take the plunge and order it online. Fortunately it worked perfectly.