Oboe and TMJ?

    
Oboe and TMJ?    21:23 on Thursday, September 16, 2010          

oboegirl
(352 points)
Posted by oboegirl

Hi, I haven't posted anything here in a while. Well, here it goes. I have been experiencing symptoms of tmj for about 1 1/2 years now (jaw clicking, limited opening of my mouth, jaw pain). It has been pretty mild until up to this summer when i really hurt my jaw by playing for very long periods of time on a bad english horn reed. It has gotten much better since then, but it still isn't like it was before this summer. Now it is getting to the point where it is starting to affect my playing, and I can't play for as long as I used to. I have been trying to research this online, but tmj is such a complex condition that there is really no sure treatment from what I've read. I can't really take a break from oboe with youth symphony and band going on right now. The pain that I get while playing isn't unbearable, but it is very annoying, and usually lasts for a while after I play. (I do use an ice pack on my jaw and that does help a little). Does anyone else have this same problem or know anything about musicians with tmj? What should I be doing to prevent any damage or further damage to my jaw? Is there any way to be able to keep playing and help my jaw to heal up at the same time? Will this ever go away? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Oboegirl


Re: Oboe and TMJ?    02:17 on Friday, October 8, 2010          

branflake
(1 point)
Posted by branflake

I am not a doctor and I do not profess to be one, but I can offer some advice.

You should really look into the "Alexander Technique." Follow this link for a description.

What state do you live in? We might be able to find you an Alexander technician that could help you with your problem. Your problem is most likely due to a lot of stress and muscle tension that you are providing when you play the oboe. You just need to relearn how to play the instrument.

In the meantime, I can suggest a few exercises that may be of use:

1) Don't unpack your oboe - just soak a reed in water and get it playable.
2) This is the part that will be hard to describe over the internet, but I'll do my best: While your reed is soaking, sit in your practice chair (where there is little noise) and close your eyes. Put your concentration in your forehead (when I say this, I mean to become very aware of your head/brain and be totally focused on this area).
3) Slowly send your concentration to different parts of your body. For example, be very aware of yourself in your head and then shift your concentration solely to your right thigh.
4) Ask yourself this question: "Am I free of tension in my right thigh?" "Am I using muscles that I don't need to be using."
5) While still concentrating on your right thigh, release any muscular tension you may be feeling there. Maybe you don't have a lot of muscular tension in your right thigh, but because you are so aware of it, you may feel a feeling of relief come over your leg.
6) Bring your concentration back to the top of your head (this will be your "command post" - you come back here for total concentration).
7) Remove your reed from the water and place it between your fingers (like a small oboe) of your right hand.
8) Slowly bring the reed towards your mouth, while keeping the concentration totally in your "command post."
9) Stop right before your mouth. Ask yourself "Am I tensing my jaw as the reed comes closer or is my jaw totally free of tension or gripping?"
10) When you feel you can successfully move the reed towards your mouth without tension in your jaw, then put the reed in your mouth.
11) Form your standard embouchure and stop before blowing.
12) "Am I tensing or gripping my jaw?" "Do I need that tension to play the reed?"
13) Try forming the embouchure without gripping your jaw or having so much tension.

Try these things and write back to me. You may also be playing on too stiff of reeds, but let me know if you find success in this method. You may find that you really are working too hard to play the instrument.

-Brandon



Re: Oboe and TMJ?    18:57 on Saturday, October 30, 2010          

OboeLover4Life
(121 points)
Posted by OboeLover4Life

That was nifty advice Brandon! :D

I can really empathize with you Oboe girl because, though I don't have tmj, I do experience regular pain in my hands, arms, shoulders and back. And I'm also trying to find a solution so I can play pain-free and really enjoy making music.

I really would recommend seeing some sort of specialist. Check in with your family doctor and see if you can get a referral.

Have you ever heard of body mapping? I think it would help immensely if the problem you're having is because of excessive and constant tension (and not an illness of some sort). I'm looking into taking a class. Here's a link:

I've heard great things about Alexander Technique as well.



<Added>

*immensely helpful. my bad >.<


   




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