1996 Nov-Dec - Boston Classical Guitar Society

November/December ‘96BCGS NewsletterA SYNOPSIS OF A LECTURE TO BE DELIVERED AT THE MINI-FESTREPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY:TREATMENT AND PREVENTIONby Paul CorteseThere is a need for all guitarists, teachers and students alike, tobecome more aware of the debilitating conditions that fall underthe collective heading of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).Forearm tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, focal dystonia, andthoracic outlet syndrome are all types of RSI. Unfortunately,most of us are ignorant of these injuries until we painfully realizethat our ability to play the guitar has been compromised byone of them. Because RSI develops slowly over time with subtlesymptoms and then suddenly appears with little or no warning,the experience can often times be frightening, resulting inpanic if help is not readily available. By becoming familiarwith RSI and learning what to do when a problem develops, theconfusion that surrounds these conditions is reduced, and treatmentand recovery can begin sooner.In just the last ten years, RSI has come to the attention of themedical establishment due to the large number of people usingcomputers at work and in the home. Because doctors have onlyrecently begun to study RSI seriously, commonly asked questionssuch as: “Why did I get RSI?”, “How can I treat it effectively?”,and “Will I ever be able to play the guitar again?”, willundoubtedly provoke numerous responses from different individualsand specialists. The many types of treatments availablevary from conventional western medicine to eastern holisticapproaches and alternative healing therapies. Although no oneis entirely certain why RSI occurs, health professionals agreethat educating those at risk, formulating healthy playing habits,and becoming more aware of body mechanics, are the preventivesteps to take in dealing with a growing problem that effectsmore and more people each year. One thing is certain, if yousuffer from RSI-you are not alone.On November 9th, I will be presenting a lecture on RSI at theBoston Conservatory’s Mini-Fest at 6:30 p.m. I will discuss thedifferent types of injuries associated with RSI, what treatmentsare available in Boston, and what steps can be taken to preventRSI from occurring. It has been my experience that RSI is acommon ailment among musicians and that we must take responsibilityfor our playing health and learn about RSI and itsprevention.PERFORMANCE PARTY DIRECTIONSSaturday, Dec.7, 2 p.m. at Alan Carruth-Luthier553 High St., Dedham. (617) 329-9484Fom Rte.128: Take Rte. 1 North (exit 15) to Eastern Ave. Takea left onto Eastern Ave., then a right into a FREE parking lot.By Mass Transit: From Forest Hills (Orange Line), take #34 busto the corner of Washington and High Sts.Call Alan Carruth formore information.4