Blow your horn without taking the blow!

 As I mentioned in my previous posts, the organs used the most are the organs more prone to lower immunity and higher risk of injury due to the oxidation effect and high free radical damage. 

For wind instrument blowers, the secret word is PRESSURE! While blowing, vast increase of pressures in different areas in the head and respiratory system might cause serious injury on the long term. 

Signs that a wind instrumentalist is "literally" blowing his/her own mind:

1- Ears and brain: High pressure especially in higher notes causes tinnitus, sinusitis or headaches  

2- Dystonia: Tongue and facial muscles pain, cramping or spasms

3- Lips: ruptures in lip muscle or allergies from the mouth piece 

4- Neck - Laryngoceles which is a mass in the neck that is filled with fluid or air, it could grow inside or outside the larynx

5- Dizziness: due to sudden rise of blood pressure after long high notes, can end up with accumulation of blood in brain

6- Lungs: overuse (including being exposed to environmental pollution, smoking and moldy instruments) and weak lung capacity will weaken the immune system and make lungs sensitive to respiratory system infections, the most common lung issue is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) and allergies 

7- Mini-strokes and embolization: due to pressure in abdomen, chest and throat cutting the circulation on certain areas

Rule of thumb: The Weaker the muscles the higher the injury chances. “Weak” happens from fatigue or lack of fitness.

I found this mouth muscles exercise by rehabmypatient and I think it is excellent to strengthen the muscles you use to blow your wind instrument

Also livestrong has a great article on their website called “Facial Exercises for the Mouth”

Improve your lungs capacity with High-intensity intervals training (HIIT) and specially swimming, strengthens your heart and lungs, increases delivery of oxygen and improves the circulation. Well-developed muscles will hold strong and resist the pressure in your abdomen, chest and throat preventing complications like strokes. 

Clean your instrument properly after each use and use mouth pieces made of inert metals (gold plated or stainless) or plastic. 

Glutathione and vitamin C are the main food and most needed antioxidants to maintain the health of your respiratory system. Other powerful antioxidants like vitamin A, E, Quercetin, Resveratrol,  N-acetyl-cysteine are needed with high doses to counterattack the oxidative stress. Read last Thursday post for full supplemental overview for lungs

Herbs and essential oils: 

Cramp bark relaxes smooth muscle (like the lungs and heart)

Marshmallow &  Slippery elm mucilaginous for lungs, throat and other mucus membranes  

Peppermint (do not ingest!!!) & Eucalyptus essential oils are great for steam inhalation 

And finally, maintaining the mental and physical general health is the key to great performance and happy life. SO if you are tired, sick, in pain, have some rest because this one gig is worthless in comparison to the rest of your career and your long healthy life.

Cheers!