I am not a doctor and I do not profess to be one, but I can offer some advice.
You should really look into the "Alexander Technique." Follow this
link for a description.
What state do you live in? We might be able to find you an Alexander technician that could help you with your problem. Your problem is most likely due to a lot of stress and muscle tension that you are providing when you play the oboe. You just need to relearn how to play the instrument.
In the meantime, I can suggest a few exercises that may be of use:
1) Don't unpack your oboe - just soak a reed in water and get it playable.
2) This is the part that will be hard to describe over the internet, but I'll do my best: While your reed is soaking, sit in your practice chair (where there is little noise) and close your eyes. Put your concentration in your forehead (when I say this, I mean to become very aware of your head/brain and be totally focused on this area).
3) Slowly send your concentration to different parts of your body. For example, be very aware of yourself in your head and then shift your concentration solely to your right thigh.
4) Ask yourself this question: "Am I free of tension in my right thigh?" "Am I using muscles that I don't need to be using."
5) While still concentrating on your right thigh, release any muscular tension you may be feeling there. Maybe you don't have a lot of muscular tension in your right thigh, but because you are so aware of it, you may feel a feeling of relief come over your leg.
6) Bring your concentration back to the top of your head (this will be your "command post" - you come back here for total concentration).
7) Remove your reed from the water and place it between your fingers (like a small oboe) of your right hand.
8) Slowly bring the reed towards your mouth, while keeping the concentration totally in your "command post."
9) Stop right before your mouth. Ask yourself "Am I tensing my jaw as the reed comes closer or is my jaw totally free of tension or gripping?"
10) When you feel you can successfully move the reed towards your mouth without tension in your jaw, then put the reed in your mouth.
11) Form your standard embouchure and stop before blowing.
12) "Am I tensing or gripping my jaw?" "Do I need that tension to play the reed?"
13) Try forming the embouchure without gripping your jaw or having so much tension.
Try these things and write back to me. You may also be playing on too stiff of reeds, but let me know if you find success in this method. You may find that you really are working too hard to play the instrument.
-Brandon
