Posted by ed on January 21, 2004 at 13:06:53:
In Reply to: Pain troubles posted by RC on January 20, 2004 at 23:48:59:
It sounds like you may have pinched nerved in your torso. These are caused by a vertebral discs in our spine; when they become dislodged they can put pressure on the nerves close to them that control our extremities, ie. legs and arms. We have all heard of a "slipped disc" and this is when the disc itself literally slips out of place, and sometimes it becomes seperated from the rest of it, the opening closes up, and the little bit of jelly-like disc substance pushes up against your nerves. This is a serious problem! If you are having muscular pain in your back and associated pain in your arms and legs, you need to see a doctor and have him refer you to a back specialist or orthopedix surgeon immediately, who will be able to arrange the appropriate scans like an MRI or Myelogram. When I hear about back problems like the ones you describe, I get worried because I have had these problems myself for over a decade. Please get them checked out. I hope that you do not have a slipped disc or pinched nerves, but it would be in your best interest -- for your tuba playing and your general health -- to either rule out that possibility or have it corrected.