Some sugesstions: practice another hand to tune; use difren hammer/hammer technic as Terry said; use ponder; see a doctor to see what you really need. Baoli Liu --- Charles E Faulk <cfaulk2@juno.com> wrote: > Terry, > > I've had similar problems in the past. I'm in my > early 50's and > periodically experience joint pains especially in my > fourth and fifth > fingers. My doctor refers to this as > 'pre-arthritic', some comfort, huh? > I've also run the gamut of wrist injuries and elbow > pains. So much for my > carping. > > The thing that has helped me the most is to change > my tuning hammer and > my technique. I'm presently using a home made hammer > that is very light > weight (11 1/2oz.) and at the same time a good 12" > long. The handle has a > teardrop shaped ball on the end nearly two inches in > diameter and is > relatively short. This kind of design gives me > leverage without all the > excess weight of most commercial hammers. I've been > using it for about > four months now and have noticed a considerable > improvement in my tunings > and far less stress on my fingers and arm. > > Also I've had to change my approach to tuning. I > find, in general, that > if I extend my tuning arm almost straight and exert > force on the tuning > lever, I tend to use the muscles of my forearm and > upper arm more > efficiently. Because of the length and shape of my > lever, I don't have to > grip the handle tightly to move the pins. I also > keep my wrist straight > to avoid injury. I think, as we age, the idea of > 'muscling' the pins into > position with our fingers and wrist becomes a little > less desirable not > to mention painful. > > Hope this helps. > > Charles Faulk RPT > Manhattan, KS > ATTACHMENT part 2 message/rfc822 > From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com> > To: pianotech@ptg.org > Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2001 21:29:47 -0800 > Subject: treatment for arthritis/hand pain > Reply-to: pianotech@ptg.org > <HR> <html> <DIV> <P>Lately my tuning hand is feeling some pain, especially in the 3rd & 4th knucke joint. I've had this before and it usually dissapates within a few days of the onset. Not sure of the cause, and since i'm only in my early 40's, I'm hoping it's not arthritis. But I was wondering if anyone has ever tried ''glucosamine and/or chondroitin ", and experienced pain relief. I may have to even resort to cortisone shots, but in the meantime, I'll drink green tea, and cut back to just 3 tunings per day. Oh, I also hear fish oil is helpful. What are your most effective hand pain remedies?<BR><BR></P></DIV> <P></P>Terry Peterson <BR>Precision Piano Service <BR>Torrance, CA <BR><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p></html> __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions.yahoo.com/
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