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Any Violinists out there with Craniocervical instability (CCI)?
Spine Health | Last Active: 5 hours ago | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
@oliverviolin Oliver, welcome to Connect. I am a Mayo cervical spine surgery patient. While, I don't have your same diagnosis, I was wondering if there could be an adaptive device to use with your violin that would allow you to play without needing to bend your neck so much. I took violin lessons as a kid and having to hold the violin by bending at the neck isn't good if there is a spine issue. It might be worth discussing with your doctor about services that make custom braces for people. You'd probably need to adapt to to the way you play since you wouldn't be able to look at the violin the same way that you are used to doing. A brace may need to be something that holds the violin to your chest without you needing to apply pressure with your neck and that allows the instrument to rotate around you.
I understand how concerning it s to possibly loose an artistic skill that you've trained for with lots of years of practice. I was in a similar circumstance because I needed a spine fusion at C5/C6 and had spinal cord compression. I was loosing coordination in my arms and I am an artist, so it mattered. It has been many years of practice in my life to get my skill level to where it is today.
Don't give up hope. You may be the person to design such an assistive device that could become a business.
Jennifer
Replies to "@oliverviolin Oliver, welcome to Connect. I am a Mayo cervical spine surgery patient. While, I don't..."
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Hello to a fellow artist and musician! Jennifer, thank you so much for your kind, welcoming, and detailed reply! It feels crushing to think of needing to adapt the way I have made music thus far, though it is equally relieving to hear that there are possibilities for the continuation of my craft. How wonderful to hear of your creativity within the arts as well! What type of art do you enjoy most? I have dabbled in charcoal and abstract acrylic through the years, though mainly for a hobby and making holiday gifts for my family and friends--and, I am so sorry that you are able to empathize with your own experiences as an artist. Out of curiosity, have you needed to utilize assistive devices as well for practicing art? Thank you again for your words of hope, this has really helped me far more than I could have anticipated--& I will probably spend the next week or so researching all I can on assistive devices!!
This all reminds me of a parable my mom has mentioned to me: "good, bad, who's to say?" (there's more to it but I forget at this moment), essentially meaning, we have no idea what the ultimate, long-term outcome may be of events in life--so while something may be complexly difficult in the moment, it might lead you somewhere even more fulfilling in the end. I dunno. I find comfort in that for some reason, and thought you might enjoy reading it as well.
I never dreamed of myself being in this position with violin, though your thought of me being the person to design a new technology really does bring me hope and excitement that maybe one day I will help and bring comfort to other violinist experiencing the same thing. I sure hope whatever I offer within the creative field will end up helping others one way or another.
Thank you most sincerely again for your words, and I am wishing you good health, peace, happiness, and flourishing creativity!
Kindly,
Oliver