[CAUT] shoulder surgery

[Joe Wiencek]

To Jim and list,

I feel future pain in reading your description of having to endure 
shoulder surgery.  I think you have great advice to have colleagues 
learn to tune left-handed.  I'm not particularly old (32), but I notice 
problems and stiffness, especially when tuning more than three pianos 
daily.  I've noticed a tremendous reduction in stress to my right arm 
when I tune 1 or even part of one with my left hand (esp. UP).  I do a 
lot of yoga and also weight lifting and swimming, but i still notice 
quite an impact on my right shoulder.  I think the most important 
consideration is how we use our bodies while tuning.  How many times do 
we add stress by unwieldy pins or bad body posture/holding our breath 
while muttering expletives?
Even when surgery is necessary, I think it's imperative to incorporate 
body awareness for whatever it may be, positive or negative.

Joe Wiencek, RPT
jwpiano at earthlink.net

tel: 551 358 400