Left shoulder pain

[Marea Fitzsimons]

I have just discovered this forum and I found it so interesting and informative And have found people with a similar problem. I have had the to stop playing as I have developed tendinosis and capsulitis in my left shoulder. Despite various treatments I don’t seem to be getting better.
I play a piano accordion in an Irish traditional and folk band in Australia.
I am trying to find a way to get back but it’s just too painful! I’m wondering if anyone on this forum tried shoulder support / brace or any other magic formula or ideas to keep playing. Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Marea!
There's some suggestions on this thread:

Left elbow pain - what to do about it.

I have been having pain in my left elbow (inside edge) and it is very painful. The therapist thought it was golf elbow and suggested I stop playing for a month or so or just lock the bellows (FR4X) and play cautiously. I saw a doctor and she thought it might be a peripheral neuropathy possibly...

www.accordionists.info

 

[JerryPH]

Also, don't forget the basics, if the muscle is weak, when pushed it is going to hurt. Exercises that target the shoulder/back/core of the body will only help reducing pain. Proper posture and sitting while practicing also aid a lot.

 

[jozz]

I play a piano accordion in an Irish traditional and folk band in Australia.

are you sitting or standing? straining yourself?

I play similar stuff in band context, mostly standing up and fast-paced. After some one hour show, left shoulder will always be upset somewhat. From all the pushing and the pulling, standing in loud environments, it will happen eventually. I have given up on doing much about it, but would like it not getting worse overtime. I use a backstrap that can relieve some stress at the back, but not always.

if you cannot hear yourself well, you will strain yourself more. If this is a factor, it needs to be adressed first

posture, even when not playing accordion, is also a factor. If I have a cold, it's worse. there is a certain spot at the edge of my shoulderblade that I need to excite (learned from a physiotherapist) to get it mobile again

when I switch over to acoustic duo stuff (on another instrument) I rarely have this issue. This is sitting down mostly, not fast-paced and no vigorous pushing and pulling. I can easily do 2 sets without much discomfort

all in all, some of it is just your body that you can't just change, but getting as comfortable as you can before playing is very important

 

[Marea Fitzsimons]

Hi, thank you for your thoughts. I have addressed all the issues of good straps, back strap, comfortable chair, smaller accordion, used to have terrible back pain after a gig, but since doing the Kieser strength training program that is not so much of an issue. The problem with my shoulder started gradually, I probably ignored it for too long, I cannot play at all now. I’ve had radial shock wave therapy, injection, physio and I’m doing isometric exercises to get some strength back. I’m afraid if I go back playing too soon I’ll do irreparable damage to my shoulder.
As you say it’s the vigorous pushing and pulling even though I tell the sound guy to give me as much volume as possible, it’s still hard work!

 

[Elizabeth]

How did this ever turn out? Did you ever see an orthopedist about this?