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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

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

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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Replies to "Hello @oliviasnava, Welcome to Connect. It warms my heart to read that you are looking for..."
oliviasnava | @oliviasnava | Jun 17, 2022

Hi John,

Thank you for the resources =D I'll give these all a deeper look before our next lesson. The 5 finger exercises is exactly what I was looking for! I may have to bring along a racquet ball to see if that helps her at all.

I only briefly talked with her mother regarding her condition, and she mentioned that she was on morphine at times to help manage the pain, but at this point she's only on mild pain medicines to help manage the chronic symptoms. Which is to say, playing the piano is exacerbating her symptoms enough to be noticeable and disruptive.

I did some hand stretches with her today that my piano teacher had taught me, and they seemed to help some. I also was aware to take many breaks and not have her play for more than a couple minutes at a time. I imagine she and I will have to work up to playing an entire 5 minute piece though. She is very motivated, and I am quite happy to say the pain doesn't seem to be hindering her very much, but I still don't want her to feel it if she doesn't have do.

Thanks for the help!

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