Musicians’ Health & Injuries
Your body is part of your instrument. Look after it.
Hours of practice, rehearsals and performances can place real demands on your hands, arms, shoulders, neck and back. Whether you play guitar, piano, violin, drums or another instrument, discomfort shouldn’t simply be accepted as part of making music.
At The Performance Health Centre, Dr. Larry Feldman brings the perspective of both a chiropractor and a professional musician to the assessment and management of musician-related injuries.
Move with greater comfort.
Six ways to look after your playing body.
Musicians train with repetition and precision, much like athletes. Small changes to practice habits can help manage physical strain and make it easier to recognize a problem early.
01. Take regular breaks
Break up long practice sessions with short pauses. Change position, relax your hands and shoulders, and build longer rest periods into demanding rehearsal days.
02. Check your setup
Instrument height, seating, music stands, straps and playing position all influence physical load. A more comfortable setup can reduce unnecessary strain.
03. Notice early warning signs
Persistent pain, tingling, numbness, weakness or loss of coordination deserve attention. Don’t rely on pain medication to push through symptoms.
04. Vary your practice
Alternate difficult passages with less demanding material, pace increases in playing time, and avoid sudden jumps in rehearsal intensity.
05. Make movement part of your routine
Comfortable posture, general fitness and appropriately chosen mobility or strengthening exercises can support the demands of playing. No single posture is perfect for everyone.
06. Listen to your body
Pain and fatigue are signals worth paying attention to. If discomfort continues after playing, take time to recover and seek professional advice before a small problem becomes a bigger one.
Injuries musicians may encounter.
Not every ache is a repetitive strain injury, and similar symptoms can have different causes. These are some of the conditions discussed on TPHC’s original musicians’ healthcare page.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can cause tingling, numbness or pain, often affecting the thumb, index and middle fingers. Symptoms may be more noticeable at night or during certain hand activities.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Irritation of tendons on the thumb side of the wrist can cause pain when gripping, lifting or moving the thumb. Repeated hand movements may aggravate symptoms.
Trigger Finger
A finger or thumb may catch, click or lock when bending or straightening because its flexor tendon is not gliding smoothly through its sheath.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve near the elbow can cause tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers, sometimes accompanied by hand weakness or clumsiness.
When to seek an assessment: Persistent or worsening symptoms, numbness, loss of strength or difficulty controlling your fingers should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional. Sudden or severe neurological symptoms need prompt medical attention.
Dr. Larry Feldman understands the demands of performance.
Dr. Feldman isn’t only a chiropractor. He’s also a professional musician and guitar instructor who has performed regularly in the Toronto area.
That background gives him a firsthand appreciation of long rehearsals, repetitive movements and the frustration of an injury that interferes with playing. He takes a particular interest in assessing musicians’ musculoskeletal concerns and recommending care suited to their symptoms and goals.
And you don’t need to be a professional musician to seek help. Weekend players, students and enthusiastic amateurs are welcome too.
Don’t let discomfort take centre stage.
Have a playing-related ache, tingling or movement problem? Contact The Performance Health Centre to discuss an assessment with Dr. Larry Feldman.
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