Weight of arm too heavy?
 

Hard to find a title for this thread!

Today, after playing piano for about two hours (standing) my shoulder hurt from just letting my arm hang down. I had to put my arm in a sling to get relief. Problem with that, was that bending my elbow put pressure on the ulnar nerve, which caused problems in my hand.

Anyone else have this problem where the weight of their arm is just too much for the shoulder to handle?

Quite a few have used slings, pockets and such at times just for that very reason.

Since you changed your piano playing position, I think there will be a change of symptoms. Different muscles being used, and if your hips are not level you may end up noticing low back pain.

If possible can you alternate sit/stand positions?
If you find you are looking down more often while standing to play, that could cause more problems with your neck.

heavy arm
 

Dear piano player,
I have a theory that this whole TOS thing is the biggest clanger of all time. If you look at some of my posts you will understand what I mean.
There are two existing theories, they are
a)That people who claim to have this myriad of crazy symptoms are fakes, who are disgruntled with their situation (work or home) and are exaggerating their circumstances so that they escape their responsibilities. From our perspective this clearly is not the case, however many people make their living promulgating this theory.
b)The brachial plexus is being compromised in one or more locations in the thoracic outlet (inlet) and as a consequence nerves, muscles and other structures behave abnormally.

I come from a different angle, I believe that the brachial plexus compromise is a consequence of shoulder girdle instability. This instability is a consequence of scapular instability and the scapular instability is most likely due to partial and varying long thoracic nerve palsy. The degree of compromise is dependent upon
1) The time and degree to which the scapular is stabilized
2) The amount of time lying on the scapula
3) Chest breathing (trapping the nerve between scapula and ribs)
4) Intra abdominal pressure placing increased pressure on the diaphragm and exacerbating chest breathing
The consequences of the unstable scapula are
1)overuse of compensating scapular stabilizers- pec minor syndrome, thoracic spine tightness
2)inability to sleep comfortably
3)inability to sit with arms out in front of body (sitting increases pressure on diaphragm)
4)arm feels heavy
5)unable to open jars ( where scapula stability is required) drive automobile, lift objects

I believe it is the variability of the compromise to the long thoracic nerve and the fact that this compromise is one stage removed from many of the symptoms which has got the experts rattled

I hope this might assist you to come up with strategies to improve your situation.

Regards towelhorse

Careful, Piano
 

When my I was going through therapy to regain the use of my arm and hand back in 2000 due to NO feeling in it from the"cumulative" trauma. The orthopedic put a sling on me.
When I went in to PT 2 days later she was shocked and walked right over to his office and scolded about slinging and a lesson on anatomy. That my arm had to HAVE continued circulation. MY HAND AND FINGERS HAD STARTED TO TURN BLUISH. She immediately took it off and got the circulation flowing.

It has taken me many years to find the correct therapist. I can now swing my arm down at my side of a short time instead of protecting it.

LAY DOWN ON THE FLOOR TO RELEASE THE GRAVITY FROM THE MUSCLE AND CIRCULATION SYSTEM. Do some of your Butler exercises to get the flow of the circulation fed through to the muscles and loosen up the tight traps and muscles. Your elbow has been bent for 2 hours. LAY DOWN AND OPEN UP THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND LIGHTLY START STRENGTHENING YOUR TAPS which hold up your shoulder girdle.

piano- you can also sit with a smooshy pillow under your arm to support it...one that won't compromise the circulation yet offer support. lots of us do that. the microbeads make it so there are not direct pressure points. I think memory foam would offer a similar advantage.

here is one i found at amazon. they also can be found in Target in the automotive department (sold as driving pillows) and probably other places.

http://www.amazon.com/HoMedics-Homed...679678&sr=1-13

I too have that problem.Right sided rib resection for TOS....Cannot let arm hang down for long as turns blue just like beofre surgery.I use a sling for short period to alleviate the discoloration.I know not to use sling to much as will stiffen up shoulder joint but if I dont the pressure is to much.
I guess patience is a virtue with this disorder...takes a looooooooooooong time to feel more like ourselves.

shoulder immobilizer for short periods of time
 

I wore one similar to this ( shoulder immobilizer)for just a few days after surgery (mainly in crowds to warn people not to run into me- a sling pulls on your neck too much) not to be used for long term use. Check with your doc.

http://orthobionics.net/detail.php/2094

I have the same problem. I haven't used an official sling, but i've done the belt/waistband/fabric sling/carrying my L arm with my R arm tricks. Standing for a few minutes hasn't been a problem, but standing for an extended period.....at church or going for a walk is.

My worst is when I use both arms....even for light activities. I've been to a few parties with beverage in right hand and cigarette in my left. It's my fun times......but I'm in bed for days after it. Obviously, I get no sympathy from my docs for that :rolleyes:

I find the worst is with bi-lateral, which arm do you sling? Do one for an hour then the other? Or do both? I wonder how that would look? LOL
All laughter aside I do need to find better ways to support my arms when I go out, that is for sure!

Heavy arms...... Me too
 

I use pillows when i drive, and for times when i know i will be standing or walking for a long time, i wear clothing that have kangaroo pockets/pouches. It makes it easy to take my hand/arms out for stretching and does not hurt my shoulders.

I have tried slings before but they hurt my shoulders, then my neck and then headache happens. :thud:

Good Luck! i hope you find something that will work for you.