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I would really like to see these on QVC where they count units sold : ) 
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Hmm...I am wondering now if the troubles I have are an effect from playing violin or from stomach difficulties. I have had some stomach problems for many years now, but the last four months they have been particularly bad, so I have nausea and heartburn every second day or so.It started when I played with bad stomach on my last recital in a church (I avoided all recitals since then).
The thing I have lately, is sort of a over sensitivity of the throat, at the position where one swallows. Its also where usually my violin touches my throat, and it has been bothering me to have the violin there (slight nausea inducing touch), and I was wondering if one could not get some alternative way of holding the violin, without any interaction between throat and violin (like without chin rest).
So I wonder: apparently heartburn and that can induce over sensitivity in the throat region...but how do I know that its not from the violin? It usually gets a bit worse under and after rehearsals.
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I were using a center mounted chin rest (no idea of the brand) that was good for avoiding shoulder pain, but now switched to a left placed lower chin rest after getting the difficulties...less pressure on throat.
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If you have sensitivity in or around your throat, anything pressing or touching it will irritate even more. Lot's of professionals actually use a folded cloth over both the chin-rest and shoulder rest for slight padding. You should experiment with different types of paddings for the time being until your throat issue is resolved.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
That post just reminds me that I always use a chamois to cover the metal clamp part of the chin rest. I find that hardware to be very irritating.
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I've seen people use leather like Oliver but in your case you may even try foam rubber or something similar to cushion the connection to your neck 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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I once saw a man with a sheep skin between his neck and the violin. It looked kind of strange but real soft. 
I don't remember if it went covered the chin-rest or shoulder-rest. I think he just threw it over his shoulder up his neck a little. He had a white one but I would have used a black one to get it to blend in a little better. 
Leisverker; Have you had your heartburn checked by a doctor? Do you take any medication? Maybe it will disappear if you do.
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Hi,
I use some medication that neutralizes. I just started using it, so I dont know if it helps. I went to the doctor some month ago, she made a few checks, but no serious checks.
I will try to use slight padding. Its terribly frustrating. And it gets worse after a bit of practicing, when I often give up on my own, being too irritated over the throat. I even get disturbed by bed clothes just touching the throat...
Both issues started at the same time, or at least, I noticed t at the same time point.
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BondLutherie said:
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.
Do you think his tinnitus might have been caused by earwax? If I don't clean my ears often I get temporary tinnitus and hearing loss just because of that. Oil would soften the wax.
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That is really logical anathama. I bet that's it. But others that have tinnitus and not much wax. I think a quarter of the people in our orchestra admitted to having tinnitus.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I'm almost ashamed to say that only two months into my career as a violinist, I'm the lucky winner of a very sore and stiff neck - on my left side, so obviously it is caused by my playing 
. I went to a physiotherapist today who recommended some stretching exercises before and during practice sessions. Anyone else plagued by this? What can I do to prevent this?
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Is there any way that you can video yourself playing for me. I don't need to hear the sound if you don't want that pressure. I just need to see how you are holding the instrument. Also I suggest that you analyze how you are using your neck and concentrate on not using it. In other words, make sure that you are not using your head or neck muscles to support the violin so much, rather rest your head on the chin-rest. See if you can find a way to balance the violin up on your collar bone.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Franike,
It just occurs to me that what I might have wanted to say is not valid for your location.
The only person who knows what will work for you is you. It's not much different than buying your shoes. No one else really knows what fits. It is that simple.
This leaves you with trying out maybe a lot of chin rests (50 models by some accounts). However, I've found out that several American companies will lend out trial sets if you call their 800 number and make the request but does that do you any good?
The companies are: Shar, Southwest Strings and Johnson Strings.
Don't settle for solutions that "almost work". It is not only a health issue, it also affects performance.
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Thanks so much Oliver and Fiddlerman. I really appreciate your replies. Sorry for only responding now, but I had a busy day or two and didn't get time for the computer!
My neck is much better after two sessions with the physiotherapist and lots of Arnica oil - oh and did I mention the take-aways hubby brought because he felt sorry for me 
. I thik I'll try practicing again today after four days of no violin!
Oliver, I am using a chin and shoulder rest, but am not very my happy with the shoulder rest. I'll start with adjusting it's height and if that does not work, I'll try and have a look at some other ones. Unfortunately, living in South Africa, means the companies you mentioned won't be of much use for me, but we do have one or two good shops that I will visit.
Fiddlerman, I've been battling with relaxation since I've started with the violin - I've also experienced it as a pianist, but it's so much more crucial when you play the violin, I've realized. I've bee concentrating a lot on my bowing technique and on relaxing my bowing arm. I think that in the process I've channeled stress into my neck and right shoulder.
I am going for another lesson on Tuesday and my teacher has promised that we will have a look at my posture etc. I'll keep you up to date with my progress.
Thanks again for the forum. I'm loving it!
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Thanks for the update. Good equipment to hold the violin comfortably could make all the difference. Good luck with your session after not having played for 4 days. Hope your teacher can help.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Franike,
I could tell you many, many "war" stories about shoulder rests and chin rests but I'm afraid that those have to be your personal experiences.
I do surf on several forums and I can tell you about the current popularity winners for chin rests ..... the Berber and the Tall Teka.
You might consider those if you ever go hunting.
Your chances of matching up a chin rest and shoulder rest are slim.
Cheers,
Oliver
Honorary tenured advisor
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Hi all ... this is a really interesting question. At first I just laughed, and thought 'how can music possibly be bad for health?' ... but then I read the posts. I still stand by my first reaction, but I realise now that I also suffer health problems, not necessarily caused by violin or piano, but exacerbated, and perhaps by lack of preparation. If you think about it, anything you do for more than an hour at a spell will cause posture changes, and don't all athletes practise warm-ups and stretches prior to performance? It's something we just forget to do, because we're not running, jumping or throwing something. I have the beginnings of arthritis in my fingers and thumbs, and if I'm not careful I can be in quite a bit of pain. I've suffered a low degree of tinnitus, but on the very first day I bought my violin I wore earplugs (in a vain attempt to block the sound from my own ears), but I still use one in the left, I think it reduces noise distortion. Shoulder and neck problems are inevitable because we are so intent on the notes and bowing and fingering we don't realise we're tensing up till it's too late and we need the physio or acupuncture to relieve the pain. This is one of the reasons I've been looking for a 'real' teacher, so I can have these problems stalled while they're just beginning. Perhaps all tuition for any instrument should start with making students realise the changes their bodies need to make when playing.
If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right.
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