Hey Guys, I'm a new member, but have been playing flute for quite awhile. Of recent , the outer part of my left upper arm is really sore shortly after I pick up the flute. I'm guessing it's from having the arm in a fixed position for so long when playing the flute( I'm right handed). Has anyone else run into this? If so how are you doing?
I could just play the whistle, but the Flute is my preferred Instrument.....
I've had that happen,but only after playing for, like, four hours.I just stop and let my arm rest for a day or so.
Maybe you're twisting your arm around too far?That also makes my left arm hurt. Try turning your upper body to the left,and see if that helps.
-Kelly
Yes I sometimes get pain like that - also in the shoulders. The two things I find make a big difference are posture (keep straight and upright) and being RELAXED! Pain often comes with tension for me - if I'm trying too hard to learn something I tense up and grip the flute too tightly and press with more pressure than necessary in the fingers - which is a habit I'm trying to train myself out of as apart from the pain it takes alot more effort than when one is relaxed! (which is also much more enjoyable)
Two real possibilities, both of which require a professional diagnosis (and both of which have happened to me). One other possibility, not as bad.
1) Pinched nerve in your neck. Sometimes the radial nerve gets pinched and you will feel pain about midway up your left arm. The key to identfying this is slight numbness on the outside of your thumb on your left hand. Other nerves can get pinched, and if this is what happened, you need long term therapy to fix it.
2) Early stages of arthritis. What worked for me was a shot of cortisone (it's been almost 2 years since that shot -- cortisone is a miracle medicine). If you don't like cortisone, other options are hot/cold treatments, some herbal remedies are out there, or you can just have an operation.
3) Pulled muscle. I hope this is it! Just rest for a few days, then limber up slowly the next time you play. Develop a routine to exercise before practicing.
Try to STRETCH the affected muscles both before, and after, playing. Been there. Even had a frozen shoulder. A therapist helped me and I've been stretching, without pain, ever since. And it is a serious problem, not to be taken lightly.
Are you aware of any difference between this pain and so-called tennis elbow ? This usually folows having to grip something tightly and work with it, not normally what you should be doing with a flute.
I've had a similar pain to what I'm thinking you're describing, but as a 'zouk player, but similarly with the left arm held up high, but it usually goes almost immediately. I concur with a previous reply that prior stretching/warming-up might be the answer.
BenS, Repetitive Stress/Strain injuries (RSI's) are the worst I'm afraid. I've battled them most of my adult life. They even effected my flute playing during my first year. Right now I'm wondering how I strained my shoulder and whether I'll be able to work-out tonight. But the thing I do know about this stuff is that the less I worry about it, the quicker it goes away. When I focus on a RSI, then it always seems to get worse. And they usally occur when I'm stressed out or upset about something in my life. My advice would be to just give it a rest until the pain is completely gone. Then begin your flute playing slowly and gradually. Our bodies our so much stronger than we realize, unfortunately stress/emotional tension can manifest itself in ugly RSI's. Of course everyone is different so this is just my perspective **You've been playing flute for a long time so you have done nothing your body isn't used to doing. Keep that in mind.** Good luck.
I would suggest that you seek out an Alexander Technique teacher in your area. It will teach you to release unecessary tension you are holding on to without even being consciously aware of. I took like about 5 lessons and it helped my flute playing and general posture a lot - when previously I couldn't play for more than a minute straight in comfort due to back neck and arm tensions. Be prepared that the first couple of lessons might or might not have anything to do with your flute playing posture though - its essential none the less.
Flute Player Arm Pain
Flute Player Arm Pain
Hey Guys, I'm a new member, but have been playing flute for quite awhile. Of recent , the outer part of my left upper arm is really sore shortly after I pick up the flute. I'm guessing it's from having the arm in a fixed position for so long when playing the flute( I'm right handed). Has anyone else run into this? If so how are you doing?
I could just play the whistle, but the Flute is my preferred Instrument.....
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by BenS
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
I've had that happen,but only after playing for, like, four hours.I just stop and let my arm rest for a day or so.
Maybe you're twisting your arm around too far?That also makes my left arm hurt. Try turning your upper body to the left,and see if that helps.
-Kelly
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by seisflutes
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
Yes I sometimes get pain like that - also in the shoulders. The two things I find make a big difference are posture (keep straight and upright) and being RELAXED! Pain often comes with tension for me - if I'm trying too hard to learn something I tense up and grip the flute too tightly and press with more pressure than necessary in the fingers - which is a habit I'm trying to train myself out of as apart from the pain it takes alot more effort than when one is relaxed! (which is also much more enjoyable)
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by cariad
Two possibilities
Two real possibilities, both of which require a professional diagnosis (and both of which have happened to me). One other possibility, not as bad.
1) Pinched nerve in your neck. Sometimes the radial nerve gets pinched and you will feel pain about midway up your left arm. The key to identfying this is slight numbness on the outside of your thumb on your left hand. Other nerves can get pinched, and if this is what happened, you need long term therapy to fix it.
2) Early stages of arthritis. What worked for me was a shot of cortisone (it's been almost 2 years since that shot -- cortisone is a miracle medicine). If you don't like cortisone, other options are hot/cold treatments, some herbal remedies are out there, or you can just have an operation.
3) Pulled muscle. I hope this is it! Just rest for a few days, then limber up slowly the next time you play. Develop a routine to exercise before practicing.
Best wishes,
--Eliot
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by Eliot
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
Try to STRETCH the affected muscles both before, and after, playing. Been there. Even had a frozen shoulder. A therapist helped me and I've been stretching, without pain, ever since. And it is a serious problem, not to be taken lightly.
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by wvwhistler
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
Thanks for all the insights guys
you would't think an Instrument like the Flute would cause any Health related issues, but there you are....
# Posted on April 24th 2004 by BenS
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
Traxam gel and don't sit in a draught!
.... then there's the RSI and the ganglions...
You have to suffer for your art!!!!
# Posted on April 25th 2004 by Sarah the Flute
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
Are you aware of any difference between this pain and so-called tennis elbow ? This usually folows having to grip something tightly and work with it, not normally what you should be doing with a flute.
I've had a similar pain to what I'm thinking you're describing, but as a 'zouk player, but similarly with the left arm held up high, but it usually goes almost immediately. I concur with a previous reply that prior stretching/warming-up might be the answer.
# Posted on April 25th 2004 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
BenS, Repetitive Stress/Strain injuries (RSI's) are the worst I'm afraid. I've battled them most of my adult life. They even effected my flute playing during my first year. Right now I'm wondering how I strained my shoulder and whether I'll be able to work-out tonight. But the thing I do know about this stuff is that the less I worry about it, the quicker it goes away. When I focus on a RSI, then it always seems to get worse. And they usally occur when I'm stressed out or upset about something in my life. My advice would be to just give it a rest until the pain is completely gone. Then begin your flute playing slowly and gradually. Our bodies our so much stronger than we realize, unfortunately stress/emotional tension can manifest itself in ugly RSI's. Of course everyone is different so this is just my perspective **You've been playing flute for a long time so you have done nothing your body isn't used to doing. Keep that in mind.** Good luck.
Joyce
# Posted on April 26th 2004 by JMH
Re: Flute Player Arm Pain
I would suggest that you seek out an Alexander Technique teacher in your area. It will teach you to release unecessary tension you are holding on to without even being consciously aware of. I took like about 5 lessons and it helped my flute playing and general posture a lot - when previously I couldn't play for more than a minute straight in comfort due to back neck and arm tensions. Be prepared that the first couple of lessons might or might not have anything to do with your flute playing posture though - its essential none the less.
# Posted on April 26th 2004 by Eldarion