Just needed a whine. I sang in an amazing concert today with a great group of singers, it went really well. But it was quite a lot of difficult music and therefore stressful, and I had to hold a heavy folder full of music for an hr without a break. It made me realise how bad this is! I thought I was doing better because of all the Alexander technique and Chiropractic, but it's just that I haven't had to hold a folder for a while. I also did some baking for the tea afterwards and stirring heavy batter is not fun either. Does anyone have a stirring technique other than trying to keep the elbows in?


So off to try the heatpack and ibuprofen...

Ta for listening!
X Ans

Sorry you're having a bad pain day. :-( It's always disappointing to have a setback, especially when you've been doing well.

For batter, I find it helps if you either put the bowl on a low table or stand on a stepstool if the bowl is on the counter (especially if you are short, as I am!) - it alleviates strain on your neck and shoulder and helps to keep the elbows in. Hope that helps!

My voice/throat was/is affected, it cracks and loses volume and just plain gives out at times on & off..
I love to sing along with the radio...

My brother said he used to like sitting by me at church when we were kids cause I sang so well.. that was nice to hear so many many years later..

Holding any weight out like that would still mess me up.. even long phone calls I get arm tingles and pins & needles...good thing I'm not big on phone calling.
But I can lift heavy things using body dynamics/leverage.. go figure

Stirring...
Food processor, bread machine or mixer is what I use when I'm feeling arm tired or trying to avoid more arm fatigue.
By hand..
Sometimes I tilt the bowl and let gravity do half of the work & I make sure the bowl it is at the best working height for me, so my shoulders aren't hunched up & put bowl on a towel so it won't slide around.

Thanks Jomar, thank God it doesn't affect my voice. Just makes the hard body work involved in classical singing quite a bit harder. My shoulders are always tight, but most of the time I can let my neck go.

Keep singing with the radio!!!

Had some light touch Chiro today and feel much better. I couldn't feel most of my fingers apart from the tingling when I went in. I could not hold my arms onto the massage table due to a lack of feeling on the inside of the arm, particularly the elbow area. By the end of the session it felt like I had control of the muscles again, and could hold my arms flat on the table. So I am a very happy bunny right now. If I am careful I can keep this level of arm use for almost a week.
Just a shame I have to write some school reports today on the computer. At least we don't have to write them by hand anymore!

Alternative therapies are great in the hands of a skilled practitioner. And what's money in the face of a little while pain free? Just bear in mind that some are better than others and find someone that fits for you.
Check out - http://mynsa.info/nsa-practitioners
I couldn't get the USA link to work, but there is one down the bottom. I thoroughly recommend this method for more use of hands/arms and less pain.