Musician's Injuries

Over the coming months we will be launching a comprehensive reference service for musicians experiencing injuries relating to performance. This will include links to treatment facilities and online organisations containing articles of interest. If you are interested in advertising services relating to the treatment of musicians with injuries, please contact e-mail: pbmok@iprimus.com.au. Let us know about any interesting websites by e-mailing on this address also.

Have you ever experienced aches and pains while playing a musical instrument? Do you sometimes find yourself tensing up during difficult passages of music and becoming uncoordinated? Do you experience discomfort after practising, a feeling that you’ve strained a muscle or worked too hard?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing the symptoms of an overuse or inflammatory condition related to your use of the instrument you play. It may be the posture you have, the length of time you play without breaks, the sheer size and awkwardness of the instrument you play or how relaxed you are when playing. Whatever the case, injuries experienced by musicians are anything from mildly annoying to career-threatening, and if left unchecked can develop into major physical problems. Many performing artists see these problems as a part of their profession and unavoidable, however there may be strategies and treatments available which can greatly reduce the discomfort associated with practising and performing.

Consider the analogy of elite sportspeople, who regularly consult health professionals for any injury or other problem which impedes their performance. The emphasis is, rightly, on treating the problem, addressing any rehabilitation needs and getting the person back into the sport they enjoy. There is no reason why the elite (or even the recreational) musician should not be treated in exactly the same way, especially since even minor alterations in function can translate to major effects on performance.

The field of Arts Medicine has expanded greatly in the past 15 years or so, such that there is now a growing interest in the treatment and prevention of musicians’ injuries. There is extensive research into the causes and extent of such injuries. For example, a major study in the US surveyed 4,025 members of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) and found that among the 2,122 respondents, 76% reported at least one problem severe enough to affect their performance, and 36% reported 4 severe problems.* Other studies have found a 62% incidence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst piano students. Importantly, there is research to suggest that many of these disorders are serious enough to impair performance.

Treatment of these disorders may include assessment of biomechanics, for example sitting position, stretches to address tight muscular areas, anti-inflammatory medications and rest. Prevention is probably the most important aspect of addressing this problem. Consult the LINKS section to find other websites that address this issue.

*Bejjani F J, Kaye G M and Benham M. Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular Conditions of Instrumental Musicians. Arch Phys Med Rehab 1996: Vol 77:406 - 413

Updated 17/7/2002