Musicians' Health Matters: Discussing Music-Related Injuries and Prevention Strategies š©ŗ
As we all know, playing music can be a physically demanding activity. Whether it's from hours of practice, or performances, our bodies can take a toll. I wanted to start a conversation about the topic of music-related injuries, and invite all musicians to share their experiences and advice on how to prevent and treat them.
Have you ever experienced pain or injury as a result of playing an instrument or singing? How did you handle it? What steps did you take to prevent it from happening again?
I think it's important for us to have open and honest discussions about these issues, so we can all learn from each other and take better care of ourselves as musicians.
So please, share your stories and let's start a conversation!
-
I'm dropping this here as I just found it: https://www.musicandhealth.co.uk/health.html
I haven't looked at the site thoroughly, but it looks like there may be some useful information on it. (I was looking for information on something my son's teacher just told him regarding what a professor in her PhD program is having students do to 'correct' high wrists while playing. I didn't find what I was looking for, but did find this interesting site!)
-
Michelle R that is a great link with lots of promising references.
-
-
Check out this link to beautifully animated presentations of Chopinās method of playing, from a specialist in biomechanics of piano playing with interest in injury prevention.
-
Mini textbook online that has some excellent information, by a specialist surgeon:
-
Michael hi Michael. Just checking in to see how you are getting on in your recovery? I hope there has been some improvement and you are feeling more hopeful of a complete recovery. Best, marina
-
marina How kind of you to ask! It has be nearly a month since I shut the lid on my piano, and I am slowly beginning to improve. At some point I may try to play again with limitations. But Iām pretty sure now that I should have surgery for carpal tunnel release. Iām going to look for interventional radiologists who use device for that procedure under ultrasound guidance. (Iāll attach a link). Much more research to do.
How are you doing with Raeās course? Is it the answer?
https://sonexhealth.com/physicians/carpal-tunnel-release-with-ultrasound-guidance/
-
Michael Iām sorry to hear itās got to that point - I know I would be devastated if it were me - but it seems you have all the research ability you need, and maybe some medical connections, to make a good decision on the way forward. Are you able to play with one hand? Raeās course is excellent. Very well explained and illustrated. You might consider trying it with your good hand to give you a head start.
I hope that during this transition you are able to keep music alive for yourself with inspirational recordings, readings, and live performances. Perhaps you can even experiment with memorising away from the keyboard as preparation for your recoveryā¦..
In any case I wish you the very best as Iām sure your other friends here do. Keep us posted. :-)
-
-
I have just read through this thread and it is clear this is such a big topic and so essential for us all. My teacher for several years was Carola Grindea who had studied with Tobias Matthay. Matthay was criticised for advocating what people thought was over relaxation but considering that he was one of the first to think about technique in this way over 100 years ago it was probably proportional to the lack of investigation or joined up thinking at that time on the topic. In the 1980s Carola founded the European Piano Teachers Association with one of the aims being to teach teachers how to teach, avoiding technical problems caused by tension. She also founded ISSTIP, the International Society for the Study of Tension in Society. This drew together therapists, medical and musical practitioners and led to BAPAM, a degree in performing arts medicine in the UK. This area of study has come along way with ever improving technology proving. The other people you list above have also had this benefit and we must know more scientifically proven information than ever before. As is many areas of life I suppose!
I think Penelope Roskell explains technique so clearly, in a way workable for everyone- her course is definitely worth looking out and following.
I have small hands and have always had to think particularly about big chords/octaves. One thing I think I have learned is not to āend gameā simply getting through a passage regardless of how I do it. Pain is a sign something is not right, it mustnāt be ignored or put up with. But I think also donāt expect things to happen quickly. You can make progress but be content with tiny steps that mean you work with your body and with the instrument rather than setting the two against each other.
It is good you have been able to do so much research Michael and I hope you find something that works for you very soon.
-
Angela Fogg Thanks for asking after me and for sharing some some of your own experiences and resources. Your insight into the dangers of going for the āend gameā at any cost is valuable for me to hear, because I am entirely guilty of that. When I look at the videos I submitted last month, I donāt see anything that strikes me as risky from the looks of my technique; but I know that under the surface it is achieved with an excess of muscle tension and lack of coordination. After I sort out my current issues, as you suggest itās time for me to pause and relearn technique in baby steps.
Since the onset of significant symptoms, I have abandoned piano playing entirely, shutting the lid on the piano to avoid all temptation. Gradually over the last month my symptoms have improved to levels fully tolerable for daily activities, but I know from experience that playing the piano is the main cause. Iāve decided not to attempt further playing until I can consult with some medical experts, and self-educate about the various approaches (mostly involving diferent methods of carpal tunnel surgery) to management. Iām sure my symptoms are largely attributed to median nerve compression at the level of the carpal tunnel; but there is also some contribution to ulnar nerve impingement, and the whole forearm from elbow to hand is involved. The symptoms when severe have impeded normal daily use of the arm and handāso that is why I wonāt take any further risks until I have settled on a course of action.
I also note that medical/surgical treatment tends to proceed blindly and empirically (based on exam, history, and probabilities)āwhich works fine when the bar for successful cure is lower than that required for the likes of a musician. Iāve seen this go wrong, so I intend to get an MRI of the wrist for a full assessment of any anatomic/pathologic contributing factors before any surgical solution is contemplated.
One thing Iām learning while working through the recent medical literature, is that there is barely any attention to the assessment of the particular needs of musicians. Studies of alternative surgical interventions to carpal tunnel release do not evaluate for potential loss of finger dexterity or of the high level of upper extremity functionality demanded of a musician. There is a fairly low bar to āsuccessā, graded on the relief of pain and numbness, and to the maintenance of strength in the intrinsic muscles of the hand.
I have found one updated, specialised medical textbook, which I have ordered, Ian Winspurās The Musicanās Hand: A Clinical Guide (2nd ed).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1909836818/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Iām also identifying the most promising surgical techniques, and surgical experts who are likely capable and inclined to take the special needs of musicians into account.
I donāt want to tax our tonebase colleagues by making these posts all about me! But if there is interest, Iāll share what I learn about the most up-to-date medical/surgical approaches to management of upper extremity repetative use injuries in pianists.
-
-
A separate thread now addresses How to Deal with Thumb Arthritis.
