Re: Facial muscles?


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Posted by Max Tunnell on November 17, 2000 at 23:35:04:

In Reply to: Facial muscles? posted by Mr. W on November 17, 2000 at 19:02:12:

You need at least two or three opinions. A mouthpiece or surgery might only solve the doctors problem of where his next Porche payment is coming from and not solve yours at all. Consult a specialist who is NOT a surgeon and perhaps a specialist in nurological conditions. There are even some doctors who treat professional brass players for this type of thing as one of their specialties. I would sure look for one if I were in your shoes. It sounds like you need to pinpoint the cause of the problem instead of just trying a treatment after speculating on the cause.

If you are really grinding your teeth, there may be physical evidence on the teeth or you can find out if it is a possibility by having someone observe you while you sleep. Sleep studies, perhaps a polysomnogram, can nail that down for sure.

In any case make surgery a last resort. Nerve and muscle damge from that can permanently end your playing.

No, the thing you describe has not happened to me, but I had an unrelated problem at one time for which surgery was one solution. The risk of healing well enough, but having just enough damage to keep me from playing well ever again was unacceptable. I chose a non-surgical treatment and I will always be glad of that


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