<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> I know several flute players that have had carpal tunnel surgery for this symptom.  I have known many others-flute, trumpet, violin, horn-that had similar occasional numbness that turned out to be pinched nerves in the shoulder/neck area.  On one occasion it took a month to diagnose and as it turned out was a combination of things. The individual typed on a laptop on the couch for hours a day (posture! was unaware of hunching the shoulders) and then of course had the added repetitive stress of performing/practicing.  For this person it resulted in minimizing laptop use on the couch even though the symptomatic result (tension build up in the neck) only ‘showed up’ when playing.  Yoga and attention to posture while on the computer ended up fixing this one.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I would go see a doctor/chiropractor/acupuncturist.  Be honest about anything that might lead to an impacted nerve or chronically tight muscle group.  I would also evaluate my posture when tuning.  Keep the shoulders down and relaxed and use the whole body to turn the lever and not just the wrist or forearm-kind of like taijiquan.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Of course this advice and $1.65 will get you a cup of coffee.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> John Dutton<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Billings</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">MT</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=3 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: Michelle Smith [mailto:michelle@smithpianoservice.com] Sent: Friday, 20 April, 2007 07:10 To: '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName>' Subject: Thumb injury - Has this happened to you?<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> Greetings everyone.  I’m wondering if any of you have had the following experience.  Yesterday I was tuning a piano that was over 100 cents flat with very tight tuning pins.  I tune uprights left handed so a great amount of stress is placed on the inside of my hand when raising pitch.  About halfway through the pitch raise, the end joint of my left thumb went “to sleep” and has been that way for almost 24 hours!  Yikes!  The only thing I can guess is that I’ve somehow damaged a nerve.  An impact hammer may be in my future.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> This may seem like a small thing but I also teach flute and piano and I’m worried…<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Thanks for any advice/experiences.  Have a good one! <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Michelle Smith<o:p></o:p> Smith Piano Service<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bastrop</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p> (512) 466-0238<o:p></o:p> michelle@smithpianoservice.com<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>