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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 27 5:51pm | Replies (6152)
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@oliviasnava

Hello,

I am a music teacher from southern California, and I have a new student who is looking to play piano but has neuropathy in both hands due to her having gone through chemotherapy as a child.

She is very talented and can play very well for being somewhat new to the piano, but it causes her pain to actually press the keys during our lessons, and I assume during her practice at home.

I was trying to think of some exercises we could do to help reduce the pain she feels, and hopefully make the process a bit easier on her hands, do any of you have any advice I could take to our next lesson? I have a few ideas already, but I figured I'd want to ask some people who actually have the condition to help me before I went through with anything considering I'm not a physical therapist.

Thank you very much for your time,

Olivia

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Replies to "Hello, I am a music teacher from southern California, and I have a new student who..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 17, 2022

Hello @oliviasnava, Welcome to Connect. It warms my heart to read that you are looking for ways to help a new student with chemotherapy induced neuropathy learn to play the piano. There is another discussion that may be helpful -- Neuropathy & Exercise: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-exercise/

I did find 5 hand and finger exercises that might be helpful. Most of them I try to do myself a few times a day to keep my hands working better. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy but only have the numbness and no pain but I also have carpal tunnel in the hands which causes them to stiffen up some.
-- Hand and Finger Exercises for Neuropathy: https://www.sitandbefit.org/hand-finger-exercises-neuropathy/

There is another discussion also that may benefit your student -- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/. Also, the following sites are great references for learning more about neuropathy and available treatment options:
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/index.php/neuropathy/neuropathy-overview
-- Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/

Is your student on any medications or treatment for the neuropathy pain?

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