Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Hello to all the shakuhachi fanatics!
   
      Anyone out there having any type of RSI symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands would do themselves a big favor by checking out this book by Barbara Paull entitled "The Athletic Musician".  Better yet go see her.  She's located in New Market, Ontario, Canada.  The trip is well worth it !!!  For the last five or so years I've been having numbness and tingling in the ring finger and pinky of my right hand(it started one day after I was hammering for a few hours).  I was able to keep it at bay by doing yoga as well as an occasional chiropractic adjustment along with some massage.  Having been sick for about a year I stopped doing any yoga.  Needless to say things got worse.  I decided to go to a physical therapist who specialized in these types of problems.  It only got worse to where now all my fingers and thumb were involved.  Fortunately none of this stopped me from playing upright bass, shakuhachi or bansuri, but at times it would be uncomfortable to say the least.  Medical massage, Rolfing and The Alexander Technique helped get me basically back to where I started before physical therapy.  Still not satisfied I found Barbara Paull on the internet and made the trip up to Canada.  I should mention that over the last five years I had been to two neurologists (one that stated after an EMG that the problem was in my elbow and somewhat in my wrist), and orthopedic surgeon, a chiropractor who specializes in neurological problems and two physical therapists. 
     On the first day Barbara talked to me for about an hour and diagnosed the problem stating that the problem was strictly in the neck.  The next hour she examined me and confirmed her diagnosis.  On the second day she spent another two hours with me examined me some more confirming that I had neither cubital tunnel syndrome (nerve entrapment in the elbow) or carpal tunnel syndrome (nerve entrapment in the wrist) it was all in my neck.  I had specifically asked the neurologist who did the EMG if the problem could be in my neck and he said no it's not!!!  She also watched me play various different instruments.  She showed me what needed to be done to eventually get rid of the problem. 
      I noticed a big difference after only a few days.  It's been about two months now and I just keep getting better.  I'm hoping that I will be eventually be able to get rid of the problem totally.  I would also recommend the Alexander Technique which in itself is very helpful. 
      Barbara's book is a MUST READ for every musician whether you have problems or want to prevent them!!!  Her website is:http://www.stouffvillemusiciansinjuriesclinic.ca/.
The price of the visits are extremely reasonable, probably less then one visit with a specialist.  The hotel a few minutes away from the clinic is also very reasonable.
      Anyone who would like to talk to me about my experience can reach me at:
bblyman2000@yahoo.com.

     
      A good idea when sitting is to use a seiza bench.  It puts your lower back in the proper sitting position and will help with proper alignment of your head and neck.  Here's a site that has some excellent benches with many variations: http://www.meditationbench.com/Benches.html
      Also very important is to use a music stand so that your head is in the proper position.
You don not want  your head bending  forward and down creating the potential for nerve entrapment.  I use the Hamilton 400N
(http://www.hamiltonstands.com/guitar_stands.htm).
  Just let the legs of the stand lie flat on the floor.  It works great!
      Also for all those people who have a problem playing the larger shakuhachi due to the weight here's a solution to your problem.  It will probably take you all of five minutes to get used to.  Buy yourself a Hamilton guitar stand model KB31 (it's the least expensive model they make).  Take the part that normally holds the guitar neck and bend it back so that it is almost parallel to the ceiling(or where you best feel is the proper resting position for the root end of your shakuhachi).  Raise it to a height where you can keep your eyes level and your head and neck in a neutral position.  Then use some duct tape to secure it in this position. 

     Good Luck everyone!!!!  I can be reached at:
bblyman2000@yahoo.com.  Be Well, Bob Blyman.