For many musicians, physical problems come in the form of repetitive strain injuries resulting from improper technique, over-exertion, or just bad luck. If not dealt with correctly, RSIs can get worse and become debilitating.
Have you ever heard serious musicians likened to competitive athletes? It’s a worthy comparison in many ways. Just like world-class swimmers or football players, dedicated musicians spend years training, honing their technique, and practicing hours a week so when the time comes, their skills are sharp and their focus is tight. And, just like athletes, musicians can get injured doing what they love.
For many musicians, physical problems come in the form of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Resulting from improper technique, over-exertion, or just bad luck, RSIs can often start as a stray ache or pain, and if not dealt with correctly, can get worse and become debilitating. If you come to this article already experiencing discomfort while playing your instrument, though, fear not. A great majority of music-related injuries can be treated with proper care.
David S. Weiss MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at New York University School of Medicine and the orthopaedic consultant to the Juilliard School in New York City. He was kind enough to share wisdom on how to keep interference from RSIs at zero – and how to keep yourself playing music in a healthy way for years to come.
Learn the basics about RSIs
"Most of what we see in musicians are overuse injuries in the extremities," says Dr. Weiss. "Problems can occur in anything that powers the arms – neck, shoulders, upper back, shoulder blades, and down to the fingers. Overuse of anything in that area can cause a problem."
Though many of his patients cringe at the word "tendinitis," the doctor promises that it’s far from a career death sentence. "It’s important to understand that tendonitis is a diagnosis that literally means inflammation of the tendons," he says. "You’ve overused your muscles and tendons in your arms a little bit. In some cases, it is true that the tendons can be so badly damaged that it can end a musical career, but for the vast majority of patients, it’s very treatable."
Another much misunderstood RSI is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. "It tends to be a disease of older patients," says Dr. Weiss. "It refers to the tunnel in the wrist where all the tendons in the hand and the median nerve pass through. As we get older, our tendons get thicker, as part of a natural wear and tear process. The tunnel only has a certain amount of area, so if each tendon gets bigger, there’s less room for the nerve."
Some musicians get it and some don’t, he continues, and the preventative measures listed below for other RSIs apply just as strongly to Carpal Tunnel.
Pay attention to your body
"The major mistake musicians make is that they don’t listen to their bodies and their arms," says Dr. Weiss. "Even if you’re not feeling pain, if your arms feel tired and heavy, take note, and take a break. It’s the same as walking – if I walk for four hours on cobblestone streets, my calves might not exactly hurt, but they’d likely feel tight and overused. That’s when it’s time to stop and take a rest – before the pain starts."
Self-awareness – and self-discipline – when it comes to your physical limits as a musician can make the difference between staying healthy as a player and sitting in the waiting room with an aching elbow, wrist, or shoulder. "Many injuries we see happen because lot of musicians just don’t stop when they really know that they should," says Dr. Weiss.
Take breaks or tone it down
If you start feeling weakness, heaviness, pain, or fatigue, take a real break. "Stop, step away from your instrument, and do something different," the doctor advises. He further recommends that breaking from your instrument doesn’t lead you straight to the computer keyboard. "If you need to send a quick email, that’s two minutes – go ahead and do it, but spend the rest of your break doing some simple posture exercises or stretching."
If you find yourself feeling ragged due to a rigorous or inconsistent practice regimen, try to smooth things out. "If you have a particularly difficult passage that you’ve got to get down, but every time you try to play it something hurts, put it aside," he says. "Work on some other section. You always need to step back at the first signs of overuse and not push things until the point of ‘this really hurts and I can’t play anymore.’"
Simply rescheduling your practice hours can make a difference. "Instead of playing for one hour, taking a break, and then playing for four hours, break that up," says Dr. Weiss. "Play two hours in the morning and only an hour in the evening. Even a small change like that can reduce the stress on your arms and hands."
Take a lesson
Even if you’re a completely self-taught musician, if you start feeling symptoms of overuse, consider investing in a lesson or two with an experienced, trained teacher.
"There are often technical things that you can do to alleviate strain," says Dr. Weiss. "A good teacher can look at how you’re playing and tell you to prop your instrument a little differently, to untwist your hand a bit, or to wear your shoulder strap at a different angle. Those things can help you before you get to the point where you have to see a physician."
Streamline your computer setup
Believe it or not, what you do on your computer keyboard can have a significant effect on how effortlessly you play your instrument. "A laptop, which has become a very common device, is ergonomically one of the worst physical arrangements for the hands," says Dr. Weiss. "You have nowhere to rest your wrists, and it’s almost like playing the piano at the wrong angle, with a six-inch block of stuff between you and the keys. It’s better to think of the computer and the piano as the same setup. You want the keyboard in a comfortable position in front of you with the screen directly in front of your eyes."
To help ease the strain of laptop use on your hands, the doctor recommends buying a modular computer keyboard and putting the laptop itself on a box so it’s at eye level, "as if you were reading sheet music at the piano with your hands at the appropriate keyboard height." Though not a hard and fast rule, Dr. Weiss also often recommends that musicians use track balls on their computers, rather than mice.
Treat yourself like an athlete
"Just like athletes, musicians use their bodies for their livelihood. Musicians should understand that their sound isn’t coming just out of their instruments," says Dr. Weiss. "The sound comes from the neck, shoulders, and arms, and then from the instrument. Often, musicians will divorce themselves from the physical aspect of playing and ignore the fact there’s a body between their creativity and their instruments."
A good batter doesn’t blame his bat if he strikes out repeatedly, says the doctor. "He or she looks at the swing, the elbow position, how the shoulders are breaking during the swing. If there’s pain, a musician also needs to look at things like alignment and posture, and what sort of training can be done to help alleviate the problem."
Often, both musicians and athletes engage in "weekend warrior" behavior – taking it easy during the week, then come Friday or Saturday, playing five sets of tennis, jamming on a three-hour gig, or doing something equally strenuous. "It’s not the healthiest thing," says Dr. Weiss. "It’s impossible not to do that sometimes, but you have to take every precaution you can. Try to practice a couple times more during the week to prepare yourself."
Also, just as athletes do, make sure to warm up before you play, stretch before and after, and apply ice to a tender area after use, if it’s feeling achy or overused.
Exercise away from your instrument
Keeping your entire body strong and flexible can go a long way towards ensuring that you’ll be able to play music for decades, says Dr. Weiss. "Cross-training and aerobic exercises are good. Even walking briskly – with good posture, and not slouching – can be great. Using an elliptical machine, swimming, jogging, and biking are good, too. You want to work up a sweat and use your muscles, but not in the fine-tuning way that you use them when you play an instrument."
Activities like Yoga and Tai Chi are also good, as they focus on balance and using larger muscle groups, says Dr. Weiss. "You want to do something to counterbalance all of the activity happening in the smaller muscles in your hands and forearms," he says.
In general, Dr. Weiss recommends paying attention to the entire body, rather than just the part that’s giving you trouble. "If your shoulders and upper back are weak, then your forearm is going to have to work too hard," he says. "You also have to think about posture and alignment, not just your hands. The more looseness and flexibility you have in your muscles, the more effectively and easily you’ll be able to play."
Know when to see a doctor
"If there’s actual pain that interferes with your playing, seek medical attention," advises Dr. Weiss. Simple advice – but also remember to be diligent, even once you enter the examination room. "Be aware that a lot of physicians don’t know a lot about musicians and may want to tell you to keep playing, but just take anti-inflammatory medicine."
While such treatments can help in the short term, if there’s a greater issue with your technique or lifestyle that’s causing you problems with your instrument, no number of pills will fix what’s wrong. "You have to think about what a doctor’s advice means," he says. "You don’t just want to be covering up the pain. Painkillers can mask symptoms."
Disc Makers’ regular contributor Michael Gallant’s debut trio album Completely received a four-star review from DownBeat magazine and a five-star review from Critical Jazz, which stated: “This, my friends, is the future of jazz. Fresh, invigorating, progressive – there are simply not enough positive adjectives to list here.” Learn more, download through iTunes, or purchase through CD Baby. Follow Michael on Twitter at @Michael_Gallant or on Facebook.
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I can really relate to this. If your occupation requires you to face the computer daily, then this type of injury is really very common.
All the rsi advice online is unbelievably unhelpful. I suffered badly for two years and cured it in two months. The answer: lift heavy weight. Squat, Bench, Row etc. Theres not much they cant fix. I cant believe i wasn’t told, its so easy I feel absolutely robbed of those two years.
I am a harpist, and I’ve been struggling for about 2 years now as well. Nobody has been able to help me. I can’t believe you fixed it in just 2 months!! PLEASE tell me what you did in more detail?
Hi Michael,
Thank you for sharing your information about RSI! I had been suffering from RSI for a couple of years and found strength to not give up in websites like yours! It is so hard to stay upbeat sometimes…
I am currently assembling a Google map with physicians and physical therapists who have substantial knowledge of Repetitive Strain Injuries. I was wondering if you know any good medical people I could additionally recommend on my map?
(http://www.rsipain.com/physical-therapists.php)
Thank you for your help!
Clemens
I have been trying to play the guitar for many years, but have only been taking lessons for about a year. I play/practice a lot more than I used to appx 1 hour a day, recently I’ve noticed that my right forefinger has been getting some pain and swelling around the middle joint of the finge. I do think it’s caused by not holding the plectrum properly between thumb and forefinger. I’m glad I’ve noticed it in time so I can use my other fingers to support the forefinger and plectrum properly, but it is physically noticeable at the joint, that’s it for now. You don’t have to practise till your fingers bleed just learn how to hold the pick first. That should be the 1st lesson for every aspiring guitar player.
I was looking for something like this..I was recording one of my songs and when I did like the 4th or 5th take..my chest area started getting hot and voices started spewing from my mouth..I looked at all types of articles..telepathy..clairaudience…tourettes syndrome. This article really helped me put it in perspective..thanks alot…check out my stuff let me know what you think..www.reverbnation.com/sacriligious
Very good article. I have always
encouraged similar advice and often stress the importance of these tips to students learning to
play instruments, those learning to sing and others who work with their voices as singers and other musicians too. Many people forget
that their voice is also a musical instrument.
Warming up correctly before practice and correct training
by building up stamina and fitness as well as developing instrument proficiency and agility are
all extremely and equally important. I also always encourage people to listen and pay
attention to their bodies as well as the instruments that they are playing. It’s amazing how many people care and pay more attention to their
handheld instruments than their actual bodies!
Danelle Harvey, Singer/Composer & Owner of Tygahoney Music Entertainment & Tygahoney Vocals -Music & Voice Mobile Workshops
Good article. As a drummer and having been involved in athletics my whole life, I compare the two all the time. I also work as a machinist, so I constantly recognize the importance of using proper leverage, etc. At 33 years old, it’s easier to notice the value in stretching… At 23, I healed faster! Chiropractors, like medicines, are good for their purposes, but maintaining your body will do more
Most “musician advice” articles are fluff, but this one was really helpful. I play over 150 gigs per year, cross country, I’m older (56) and I feel it in my joints. I’ll put some of these tips into play immediately.
Thanks.
I am a working local professional “weekend Worrior” variety mix drummer with 30 plus years in the business without major problems. I have been fortunate to learn proper playing techniques. At one point a few years ago I had severe shoulder pains. The doctor told me to lower and adjust the height and angle of drums and cymbals along with getting a seat with a backrest. It worked. The pain went a way within the week.There are times when I get occassional sorness in my fingers in between gigs during the week when I am at rest. I also practice twice during the week.
Is there anything else you can recommend for drummers aside from strectching, warm ups and hydration before the gigs?
If your doctor wants to load you up with pills, ask him/her to refer you to a physical therapist as well. They often know more about exercises and posture than your doctor does.
Very interesting and informative piece on repetitive strain injuries. I used to tell my students to “listen to their bodies. Listen to it when it whispers, don’t wait for it to scream!” My take on playing or I should say overplaying is that you get into your music and do not realize that you are working your body too close to its maximum output which of course puts you closer to potential injury.
Playing the accordion presents two problems: 1. Overdoing the bass(buttons) and 2. Doing too much continuous standing/strolling while playing. Now, at the tender age of 76yrs(with 63 years of playing accordions of varying weights) when I start to get back soreness, I immediately (after the song is finished), go back to sitting on my stool. Also, using a dolly to get the instrument to the performance place saves unilateral back strain.
Sid Sward
There are times when I can play the accordion for hours; sometimes I need a quick break for a little while. But I never had any specific problems with the left hand. Proper technique, posture and practice will do the trick.
Over the years, I have had tendonitis all over. And it always came down to improper (over)use or playing in a bad position.
Any time the body sends you a signal, LISTEN! Even if a few hundred people are on the dance floor, just stop. You have to take a break. They can dance a few minutes later, too!
Accordion-
Do you accordion guys find that you may have hearing issues because of
the proximity of the sound holes to your ears and playing for years? I
only ask because the lady whom I play a regular weekly gig with is
starting to show signs of hearing loss but only in the one ear.
I don’t think so, Trevor. The sound projects outwards; away from the player.
Accordion-
Do you accordion guys find that you may have hearing issues because of the proximity of the sound holes to your ears and playing for years? I only ask because the lady whom I play a regular weekly gig with is starting to show signs of hearing loss but only in the one ear.
Sid- I noticed your remark, “Overdoing the bass(buttons)”. If you are a 4-3 player, would you consider trying the 3-2 system? I found that it made a world of difference. No more fatigue, more control, etc.
I have worked on musicians with injuries. Don’t let them get too far out of hand. Alexander Technique, Rolfing-Structural Integration, and Feldenkrais are all great places to start.
http://www.selfcare4rsi.com/
is wonderful.
Be proactive!
http://www.awarebody.com
I am a physical medicine & rehab medicine physician. I agree with everything listed in this article. Another practical bit of advice is to change your warm up routine periodically. Replace drills with easy pieces.
Hydrate.
If u r working with a DAW, a trackball is great, but this can lead to other overuse injuries depending on how excessively used. I recommend getting a bunch of different mice and trackballs and intermittently changing them up.
Finally keep a mirror across from the computer or practice space to observe your posture. Visual feedback is helpful just as is listening to your body
My graduate essay was on medical conditions encountered by pianists. By the 1990’s, the rage for doctors to be “specialists” was in full swing. Doctors saw a great money making opportunities as a result of repetitive stress injuries cause by over-use of computers and video games. These conditions were sensationalized by the media. Worker’s compensation is a gold mine. (Unless the performer is extremely lucky, worker’s compensation (and health insurance) is(are) one of those mythical creatures.) One really good resource was a periodical called “Medical Problems of the Performing Artist”. The articles were well written and mostly accessible to the layperson. The journal is still in publication. See: http://www.sciandmed.com/mppa/
Great article. Check this out http://www.rockstarbodiesformusiciansover40.com
This is very sound advice. Al DiMeola said he never suffers any pain. Surprising eh? But maybe he practices all of the things said here.
To prevent injuries or to recover from them, have some lessons with a Feldenkrais practitioner.
http:///www.feldenkrais.com
John Link
Composer, guitarist, vocalist, singing teacher, and Feldenkrais practitioner
If you’re in New York, have a Feldenkrais lesson with me!
John Link
Composer, guitarist, vocalist, singing teacher, and Feldenkrais practitioner
212-463-7102