I have a classic flute player

Merrida · 11-Jun-08, 10:37 PM

She is, rather obviously, troubled with extreeeeeemely tight traps, shortened pecs, and a lot of neck and occiput headaches. Anyone have any ideas?

I ask because stretching the neck in and of itself can (gingerly) be a tricky thing but I need something she can do alone. I've taught her the self-facilitated stretches I know, such as for the sternocleidomastoidus muscles, but her pain in more the upper traps, lingering occasionally into the upper rhomboids, and definitely the occipital lobes.

She uses a tennis ball which helps, but it's one of those nagging things that just gets in the way of a darned good training session.

.

westside24 · 14-Jun-08, 01:07 AM

load up a 135lb bar for her and make her hold it with her traps flexed!

for at home, tell her to answer her parents questions with an "I dunno?" Shoulder Shrug

Merrida · 14-Jun-08, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westside24

load up a 135lb bar for her and make her hold it with her traps flexed!

for at home, tell her to answer her parents questions with an "I dunno?" Shoulder Shrug

I train her at home.

She's in her 60's.

And that's the problem, traps WAY too tight. She plays the flute. A lot. Tight traps. I'm trying to help her "undo" that problem, though, not exacerbate it.

.

westside24 · 14-Jun-08, 09:34 AM

a 60 year woman still playing the flute... what muscles oppose the traps? the lats maybe?

Merrida · 16-Jun-08, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westside24

a 60 year woman still playing the flute...

Dear God, you say that like it's unheard of.

Yes, a 60 year old woman who plays (and teaches and gives concert performances playing) the flute.

What is so shocking about that? (Am I missing something?)

And,....still curious if anyone has any thoughts on this. She's a great person, eager to learn and very dedicated to getting relief.

.

**LiftGirl** · 17-Jun-08, 04:39 PM

I play the flute, but only as a hobby, not professionally, so I have nothing to offer. Though even in high school marching band, practicing many hours a day, I had no problems (other than my braces making playing difficult), but then I was a teenager

Incidentally, I majored in biology, and have to look up occiput

westside24 · 18-Jun-08, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrida

Dear God, you say that like it's unheard of.

Yes, a 60 year old woman who plays (and teaches and gives concert performances playing) the flute.

What is so shocking about that? (Am I missing something?)
.

hahaha no, just funny to pick at you. sorry for not havin an answer

**LiftGirl** · 19-Jun-08, 03:57 PM

Merrida have you watched her play? Perhaps there's something in her posture or positioning while she plays that you could help with? I dunno......

westside24 · 23-Jun-08, 08:51 PM

I was just thinking that!

Good job Liftgirl, 10pts for you

Merrida · 23-Jun-08, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

Merrida have you watched her play? Perhaps there's something in her posture or positioning while she plays that you could help with? I dunno......

Well considering I've never played the flute and know nothing about it, I couldn't offer her any help. I may watch her and not realize that what appears to me as possible postural contributors may just be part of the natural posture in playing a flute. And considering her age, she's got many years of flute playing, not just several,...which also means I'm not about to "undo" her posture. So, I have to work with it. Not sure what to do, in terms of analyzing and working with this.

I also don't want to make this too complicated. If she didn't come to me with this problem up front, I wouldn't be considering her history as comprehensively as I am. (I do tend to over analyze, so I want to dodge that if I am doing it). Oh me,...