Piano tuning and ergonomics

[Dan Hallett Jr.]

I have recently developed some numbing in my R hand..I believe it is the
result of my active tuning schedule(3-4 every day i book, which is almost
every day)..I have, for years, sought out the relief that I receive from
Chiropractic care for a back condition that I was born with. I have seen my
Chiro as recently as this past Monday, and have told him of my numbing in
my R hand. He treated the affected area(Traps) and adjusted as he normally
does..as of this morning, my R hand still goes numb at any given time, at
any given position.
 I have had a pinched nerve in the past that affected my R hand..treatment
for this was Chiropractic care for 3-4 weeks, and the pain went away..but..I
am wondering if what I am experiencing might be the start of
CarpoTunnel?...my Dad had both hands done and he has never had a problem
since the surgery. I don't know if CarpoTunnel Syndrome is genetic or not..

I am also wondering if I may be contributing to this condition with
my'posture' when tuning pianos..I will sit to tune unless it is a
fairlylarge upright, and then I am forced to stand.

Since my traps are as tight as snare drums, I am going to seek out the
relief from a Massage..this HAS helped in the past..but I am wondering if I
am contributing to my own condition with 'poor posture'...

CarpoTunnel..poor posture..numbing R hand..I'm a mess!!!

> Rook

Rook:

FWIW, here are a few possibilities:

Try SASS shoes. A foot specialist here told a friend that these shoes would
alleviate bone spurs in the heel. They did.

Another friend, specializing in Mylotherapy, maintains Carpal tunnel begins
in the shoulder. When I've had the feeling you described, I head for the Spa
and do shoulder exercises with weights. Not heavy, not more than ten reps,
but making sure that the shoulders go through many different motions. I try
to do these 3 times weekly, and especially after a heavy day of tuning.

I also have switched to a hammer with a ball on it. I had the ball fit to my
hand at a convention.

As to posture, having been told for years I didn't stand straight, a
physical therapist helped me. He had me stand against a wall in the same
pose one would use when doing squats sliding down the wall, then sliding
back up. When standing against the wall, he had me make sure there was no
curve in my back , and place my shoulders against the wall, with the back of
my head also touching the wall. Sounds simple, but my posture was so bad I
could hold it only for a fraction of a second. I still do it as a check.

Tai Chi is another possibility, along with Yoga which another person
suggested.

All these have helped me.

Dan Ha''ett