June 30, 2021
A half year of acupuncture and TCM have stabilized my situation considerably. Last December my playing abilities were down at about 40% of my usual abilities. My playing adjustments and slight change of diet along with going off alcohol and caffeine (except the morning coffee) allowed me to work on improving my playing. Since the beginning of January I had weekly Acupuncture treatments and took the prescribed chinese herbal remedies.
I am now able to function with treatments spaced three weeks apart, my abilities are close to 100%, except for the low register on the Tenor Horn (Euphonium). The energy levels are still lower. Instead of playing up to eight hours of music per day, I can now get up to four hours, with rests after 40-60 minutes. As things keep improving I will be able to space Acupuncture treatments even further apart. I will keep you posted.
While playing music is physically tiring, it gives me the mental energy to stay balanced and happy. The Dopamine factor appears to be significant.
In two weeks I will finally have a video appointment with a neurologist. I am curious what her assessment will be. So more about this after July 15.
Reflections 