[JamesD]

Staying healthy and "saxy"

After years of getting various health related questions from students, I decided it might be a good
idea to enlist the help of medical professionals and create real clarity around all these problems.
So for several months I asked my members a lot of questions, researched online and had my doctor
friends look up the details on things like: emergence room numbers and details on all the various
health problems that we sax-players face.

It took a lot of work, but finally our research showed three things:

1: Saxophone players underestimate the seriousness of the health risks that playing the saxophone exposes us to.
2: there are roughly 26 common health-problems saxophone players experience.
3: Almost 100% of saxophone players run into one or more of these saxophone-related health-problems at some point.

In other words: We found there is a HUGE potential for all of us, to avoid sax-related health problems through: a better understanding
of the risks, recognizing problems earlier and knowing when and how to take action in order to prevent or heal these health-problems.

With the help of licensed medical professionals, I compiled my findings into a new, 80+ page, in-depth eBook detailing
these 26 common problems with: a clear description, showing the known causes, possible lifestyle aggravators to look out for, and healing & prevention tips.
All based on the up-to-date medical practices.

I truly believe and hope that with this book, we can start to prevent an enormous amount of painful and life changing problems.

So I hope "Staying healthy and saxy" will be an eye-opener for you, and that it will make a positive difference for you ore you'e loved ones one day.

More info and download it here http://hellosaxophone.com/stayinghealthyandsaxy

Please help spread the word and share good saxophone health practises

Love, and good health!

Flo

 

[Nefertiti]

Does it cover this?

View attachment 71684

 

[JamesD]

Does it cover this?

View attachment 71684

That depends on what problem this operation was done for?
But there are several issues in the book that, in some cases, can require surgery yes

Hope you well by the way. It looks serious.

 

[Nefertiti]

That depends on what problem this operation was done for?
But there are several issues in the book that, in some cases, can require surgery yes

Hope you well by the way. It looks serious.

Increased Intracranial Pressure. They had to put a shunt in to drain fluid when the pressure gets to high. They have no idea why I have a problem with it but I'm convinced playing the sax all out does not help my situation at all. Many times after wailin' on the sax for a while I end up with a huge headache. The doctors over hear all say it's not related but I am skeptical............

 

[LostConn]

I have two questions:

1. Your website states, "Created in collaboration with licensed medical doctors." What are their names and titles, please? The website does not identify them.

2. I'm not asking you to give away the book, but can you post a short excerpt so that we can evaluate it? E.g., a discussion of one sax-related health problem and the explanation of how to treat and/or prevent it.

Thanks.

 

[Dr G]

S
It took a lot of work, but finally our research showed three things:

1: Saxophone players underestimate the seriousness of the health risks that playing the saxophone exposes us to.
2: there are roughly 26 common health-problems saxophone players experience.
3: Almost 100% of saxophone players run into one or more of these saxophone-related health-problems at some point.

Do you intend to imply that these health problems are exclusively related to playing the saxophone? I cannot believe that.

 

[JamesD]

Do you intend to imply that these health problems are exclusively related to playing the saxophone? I cannot believe that.

Hi, thanks for the reply. Very few medical conditions exist in isolation. So most of the problems are not exclusively caused by playing, but are a result
of saxophone playing + other factors or Vice versa. However, for many of the problems described in the book, playing the sax is not a minor co-factor but a big
one. Lower back problems and problems with the vertebrae in the neck, for example, are things that happen relatively often to saxophone players, and though
playing the sax certainly is not the exclusive cause. The strain of playing the sax for hours a day is undeniably a big part of the cause in many of these cases.

Hope that answers your question

 

[bandmommy]

Before I call '********', what are some of these common health problems and serious health risks that saxophone players suffer?

 

[JamesD]

Increased Intracranial Pressure. They had to put a shunt in to drain fluid when the pressure gets to high. They have no idea why I have a problem with it but I'm convinced playing the sax all out does not help my situation at all. Many times after wailin' on the sax for a while I end up with a huge headache. The doctors over hear all say it's not related but I am skeptical............

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that! I've not come across other cases of increased inter-cranial pressure in saxophone players so far. So if you do find a link that would be a new one we can add to the book .
There are quite a few medical problems that have increased inter-cranial pressure as a symptom though. The only possible relation to the sax I can think of, of the top of my head, is that perhaps you somehow
contracted a bacterial meningitis infection. (Herpes could fit) which is something that could easily be contracted through someone with a cold sore using your mouthpiece and it can cause these symptoms.

I you're in the U.S. it could also be West Nile Virus, which has nothing to do with the sax but is spread by mosquito's and can also cause your symptoms.

Good course of action would be to have your doctor do a blood culture + a CT scan to rule out other possibilities. (which I'm sure he's doing?)

I any case I hope you get better man!

 

[JamesD]

Before I call '********', what are some of these common health problems and serious health risks that saxophone players suffer?

That\s exactly the question I answered in the book
Just to name a few:

Painful enlarged papillae.
Oral Mucocele,
Accelerated gradual hearing loss
Herniated spinal disc
Tendinitis
Trigger finger
Metal allergies
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
saxophone lung

and the list goes on...

 

[jazzbluescat]

That\s exactly the question I answered in the book
Just to name a few:

Painful enlarged papillae.
Oral Mucocele,
Accelerated gradual hearing loss
Herniated spinal disc
Tendinitis
Trigger finger
Metal allergies
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
saxophone lung

and the list goes on...

Perhaps saxes should come with a warning: Warning! Playing this instrument can be detrimental to your health and well-being. :bluewink:

 

[MLucky]

Perhaps saxes should come with a warning: Warning! Playing this instrument can be detrimental to your health and well-being. :bluewink:

Saxophone playing, like a lot of things, can be detrimental to your health ... when you do it wrong.

Seems like a lot of the conditions listed above could easily be avoided by employing proper technique. Oral mucocele (ie, blisters) can normally be avoided with a proper embouchere, tendinitis with proper hand positioning and motion, etc. But maybe that's the point of the book.

 

[B Flat]

I think my day job posses far more risks than my saxophone playing.
Although those who have to listen to me play may disagree.

 

[mikejolk]

You may find this relevant:

There is a journal titled "Medical Problems of Performing Artists". If you have access to a decent university library, they may have it.

JamesD, you might consider sending them a review copy or submitting a short article based on the book.

Performing Arts Medicine is a real field.

jazzbluescat - I would amend your warning to include the statement that playing saxophone is a significant risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases.

Mike

Perhaps saxes should come with a warning: Warning! Playing this instrument can be detrimental to your health and well-being. :bluewink:

 

[High Fly]

Saxophone lung?

Just be sure that concurrency can really cause people to look for causal relationships that aren't there. In other words, things happen from living and we all want to identify A cause. And find A cure in a pill, device, food, etc etc.

Proper technique and 'management' of your playing is important, and I bet that is what alot of the book is (as well as stretching and strengthening etc.

Trigger finger runs in my family. Or, I can say it was brought on by playing the sax. But it wasn't. People randomnly have all sorts of optic/cranial/sinusoid/respiratory things going on...possibly aggravated by playing, yes. Created by, hmmm I say not likely.

Now neck and back orthopedic stuff ...yeah, i can buy that.

I hope that GAS is covered extensively in the book too! That has caused many a disrupted life and budget, and there may be NO CURE.!

 

[Dr G]

Brass poisoning?

 

[JamesD]

You may find this relevant:

There is a journal titled "Medical Problems of Performing Artists". If you have access to a decent university library, they may have it.

JamesD, you might consider sending them a review copy or submitting a short article based on the book.

Performing Arts Medicine is a real field.

jazzbluescat - I would amend your warning to include the statement that playing saxophone is a significant risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases.

Mike

Thanks for the reply,

Yes I'm aware of this field. One of the doctors that advised me is also an official doctor to a big orchestra. And I am considering
sending the book in to see if they feel it merits an article at some point.

 

[LostConn]

OP, I notice that you have posted four times since my post, yet you have not answered my questions. Thank you for facilitating my decision.

 

[Dr G]

jazzbluescat - I would amend your warning to include the statement that playing saxophone is a significant risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases.

... and a gateway for drug abuse and alcoholism.

 

[JamesD]

Saxophone lung?

Just be sure that concurrency can really cause people to look for causal relationships that aren't there. In other words, things happen from living and we all want to identify A cause. And find A cure in a pill, device, food, etc etc.

Proper technique and 'management' of your playing is important, and I bet that is what alot of the book is (as well as stretching and strengthening etc.

Trigger finger runs in my family. Or, I can say it was brought on by playing the sax. But it wasn't. People randomnly have all sorts of optic/cranial/sinusoid/respiratory things going on...possibly aggravated by playing, yes. Created by, hmmm I say not likely.

Now neck and back orthopedic stuff ...yeah, i can buy that.

I hope that GAS is covered extensively in the book too! That has caused many a disrupted life and budget, and there may be NO CURE.!

Hi, yes I'm very aware that their is always a risk of false causality, This is why I'e been really careful in the phrasing throughout the book.
And, as you mentioned yourself, this book is about understanding the real risks, recognizing symptoms early, and using proper technique and good
habits to avoid/prevent increased health risks from playing the sax + In case people already have a problem, to give them a good overview
of the problem and possibly point them in the direction of the right specialist to help them.

It's funny you mention GAS (though for saxophonist it should be named S.A.S. (Saxophone acquisition syndrome)