Tuning Stamina

[Tom J Armstrong]

I too have had bouts of serious pain with my back and shoulders.  The
best remedy that I've discovered after nearly 30 years of piano work is a
combination of proper exercise, stretching, and enough rest and
relaxation to allow weary joints to recover.  If we try to tune 4, 5, or
6 pianos every day, our bodies will let us know!  Proper posture and
occasional breaks during tuning, voicing, and other long procedures are
important, too.  I've learned a lot from physical therapists about proper
care and use of my body.  As we get older, our bodies can't be expected
to be as forgiving, and healing takes longer..so you younger technicians:
 learn the right ways to prevent injury, and stay in shape!  Protect your
ears, too!

Tom Armstrong
RPT

On Fri, 20 Apr 2001 22:16:34 -0400 bases-loaded@juno.com writes:
> 
> On Fri, 20 Apr 2001 17:24:54 -0700 (PDT) Robert Wilson
> <pianotechnicianuk@yahoo.com> writes:
> > Players can be tough, both uprights and grands cause
> > you to lean over more and one worries sometimes about
> > repetative strain.  Does anyone have any tips for neck
> > and/or shoulder excercises to help?
> > 
> > Bob Wilson, London.
> 
> Hi Bob -
> 
> Eight years ago, after 15 years of tuning, I began a stretching 
> routine
> to minimize the shoulder/arm/neck/back strain.  Worked great for 
> about
> 3-4 years.  Then I started getting somewhat regular massages to 
> stave off
> the beginnings of pain.  Helped to a large degree, although the 
> more
> distance between the massage and the work, the more discomfort 
> would
> creep back in.  
> 
> In the past years I have included lifting free weights as part of 
> my
> daily routine, and I have been astonished at the results.  Even 
> those
> long 6-7 piano days now have little or no effect on my
> arm/shoulder/neck/back.  Hard to believe, really, but it's true.
> 
> I agree with Marty.  Lifting free weights can be a simple solution 
> to a
> seeminly complex problem.  Twenty minutes/day is all it takes.  
> Presses,
> curls, front raises, tricep work, laterals, flys.  Some lower body 
> work
> is good, too, of course.  Stretching is always good, too, and 
> massage can
> certainly be of great benefit.
> 
> Mark Potter
> bases-loaded@juno.com
> 
> 
>  
>