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Is playing the violin good or bad for your health?
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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 15, 2011 - 8:20 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I saw this topic on another blog site and found it very interesting. What do you think?
Many violinist have trouble when they play too much. Some have bad hearing. Some have shoulder problems. One girl spoke of intestinal troubles.
How about you?

Pierre 

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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paula

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January 15, 2011 - 8:47 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2011
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Yes, my family complains! Hahaha!

Well, I also get problems with my shoulder. It has gotten worse over the years.

Cheers!

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 15, 2011 - 9:48 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Which shoulder are you having problems with? If it is the left shoulder you may be lifting it. It is very important to relax that shoulder and avoid lifting as much as possible.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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zeagle1979

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January 16, 2011 - 2:53 pm
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Injuries notwithstanding, it's good for one's health--from the inside out.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 17, 2011 - 9:48 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

@ Zeagle, the truth is the older I get the more I agree with you :-)

I would say music, in general, is great for our health. Also being able to accomplish something in which only hard work, motivation and talent could allow, is also good for us.

I am very curious to have some discussions about physical problems that violinists (violists - for someone that sent me a PM) have.  He was a little hurt that I excluded violists ;-)

Hours of intense playing can and do cause problems, especially if your technique is not right.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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paula

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January 18, 2011 - 10:11 am
Member Since: January 13, 2011
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Fiddlerman said:

Which shoulder are you having problems with? If it is the left shoulder you may be lifting it. It is very important to relax that shoulder and avoid lifting as much as possible.


Actually, it's my right shoulder. I sit a lot in front of the computer also, so that might be a part of the problem. Any good advice to give me about the right one?

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 18, 2011 - 10:39 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

A few things to think about.

  • Make sure that you are moving your elbow and not your shoulder.
  • To apply pressure when playing turn your wrist counter clockwise and relax the rest of the arm. In other words, don't use muscle.
  • Do exercises  drawing the bow from the frog to the tip slowly while concentrating on these two things plus not lifting the shoulder in any way. and always try to relax the muscles not being used.

Good luck and please let me know how that is working out for you, Fiddlerman

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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paula

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January 26, 2011 - 7:26 pm
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Thanks!

Actually, I'm bothered by something else that is a lot worse. Tinnitus. My ears ring, sometimes

so much it's actually hard to fall asleep. I have to force myself to think about something else, but it eats up my energy. Does anyone know what might help?

Someone said that it might be related to a uneven filling in the mouth. Anyone heard anything like that?

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 27, 2011 - 9:24 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

I know so many colleagues that have Tinnitus and don't want to admit it for fear that people won't hire them anymore. Tinnitus doesn't mean that you can't hear very well. Though if it is real bad it could definitely create problems on the job as well. I have had it on and of for the past 10 years and am happy to say that it has not gotten any worse. Possibly because I protect myself when we play very loud works with a filtered earplug. PS. I only have 4 fillings and plastic at that.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 27, 2011 - 10:29 am
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Maybe those fillings are uneven though....... How does one know?

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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paula

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January 27, 2011 - 10:54 am
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I've tried earplugs but then the ringing gets worseFrown

It's an evil circle, where I guess my tinnitus escalates being subjected to loud music.

Well, I think I will try to find a good dentist that can check and see if my fillings might

cause tension, leading to tinnitus. Come to think of it, about 6 months after I had a filling

done, my tinnitus started up. So it might very well have something to do with it.

If anyone else might have any suggestion in what to do, please let me knowLaugh

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 31, 2011 - 11:08 pm
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I have heard that some people are able to rid themselves of Tinnitus with acupuncture. This kind of makes sense to me. Relieving tensions.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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BondLutherie
Mt Enterprise, TX

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February 1, 2011 - 8:32 pm
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My grandfather had ringing of the ears, untill he was told to put a few drops of grape seed oil in his affected ears beforegoing to sleep. He said he did it for a while and never had a problem with the ringing again.

As for the shoulders hurting, I totally agree with fiddlerman. Shrugging is the number one cause of shoulder and back pain. Also ensure that you stand perfectly straight (a given I know,but hard to make a habit of) with your shoulders back and chest up. This is the advise of my former teacher, who actually studied how playing the violin can affect ones health.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
February 4, 2011 - 2:12 pm
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That's interesting about the grape-seed oil. Do you know how long he had to do this? Wonder how they came up with that remedy.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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paula

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February 4, 2011 - 4:44 pm
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Thanks Bondlutherie! I'll definitely try the grape seed oil. I assume it is the same thing as grapefruit seed extract? I've heard a lot about the extract, that it's helping people with all kinds of problems. Do you know where I can buy it?

And yes, I should play standing up. I sit too much.... 

Thanks again!

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BondLutherie
Mt Enterprise, TX

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February 6, 2011 - 2:46 pm
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You can find it at any health food store. You can also find most essential oils on ebay. I believe he did it just untill the ringing subsided...

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 19, 2011 - 12:17 pm
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This week I pinched a nerve in my lower back, or lumbago, while bending over to pick something up the wrong way and suspect it might be from playing the violin while sitting for too long. I always sit on the edge of my chair but maybe I need to start exercising again...Embarassed

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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fiddlefaddle

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March 20, 2011 - 10:38 pm
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That happens to me every so often too. I don't think that it has anything to do with playing while sitting down. Do you work out or exercise at all? I've been told that I need to work out more to strengthen my back muscles.Laugh

I prefer working out lifting a beer from time to time. LOL

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Oliver
NC

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March 21, 2011 - 9:55 am
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http://spingym.homestead.com/

Here is a device just made for seated violinists.  ( Do not get too energetic or you might knock the beer over.)

My wife has one of these.  Does works.  My playing has greatly improved ( but that was inevitable).

 

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
March 22, 2011 - 12:14 am
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That actually looks like a fun way to work out Oliver.Surprised

Maybe if we do that and try to drink beer at the same time. LOL

The shake weight might be good for us too. Warning - this video may not be appropriate for those under 18 years of age.   Laugh 

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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