Playing Music With Pain

On By grace

Playing with pain doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes it starts with “fatigue” or “tension” that eventually goes away. But as time passes, you may find that these symptoms linger for a little longer and don’t go away as easily as they used to. So you take a long break from your instrument and the pain goes away.

Musician Injuries often happen because playing your instrument, whether it is the violin, piano, cello, guitar, flute, drums or even the glockenspiel is REPETITIVE and ASYMMETRICAL.

Repetitive: Muscles and tendons need time to recover and rebuild after use. Without adequate rest, their fibres will break down and inflammation and pain occur. We call this tendonitis. It first starts with fatigue or an ache, and eventually turns into pain and swelling with any type of use, leading to loss of ability to play.

Asymmetrical: Asymmetry combined with repetition is the perfect environment for an injury to brew. It may not appear immediately, but at some point down the road, an injury is likely to occur.

Pain management

My muscles are warm to touch, really tight, and they hurt when I play. What can I do? Warmth, pain, and loss of function are signs of inflammation. Use the acronym “R.I.C.E”. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate.

♪ REST from the aggravating activity.
♫ ICE on the area for 15 minutes at a time.
♫ ♪ COMPRESS with a tensor sleeve or brace.
♫♫ELEVATE the area for 15 minutes at time if it is swollen.

Then, consult your physiotherapist to help you get to the root of the problem to prevent the injury form recurring.

Frequently asked questions

But I play all the time. Why is it hurting now?

Often, changes in technique, practice habits, instrument set-up, posture, and other life changes can contribute to injury. You may want to examine whether there have been any changes lately and whether they were introduced quickly versus gradually.

Are there any exercises I can do for my ______ ? (wrist, back, neck, shoulder, jaw, fingers)

Many clients ask if there are exercises they can perform to ease tension and relieve pain. Visit us here where you can find some practical tips and exercise suggestions for musician injuries. Also visit here for the top six postures that cause injuries amongst violinists.

I’m in pain when I play my instrument. What will physiotherapy do to help?

The goal of the physiotherapist is to reduce pain, restore function, and enhance your performance. This often includes prescribing appropriate exercises for your specific problem. Sometimes your therapist will use manual (“hands-on”) therapy as well as machines like ultrasound , laser or electrotherapy to help speed up healing. In order to do this, you will be assessed for your posture, mobility, strength and stability with and without your instrument.

I’m not in any pain. Should I still come in for treatment and how will it help?

A musician injury scan performed by your physiotherapist will help you identify areas that potentially could become injured. While most of us don’t think about seeing their physiotherapist until their injuries are in full bloom, with the scan and appropriate treatment and/or exercises, you can expect to:

♪ Reduce postural asymmetries that set you up for injury.
♫ Improve core stability, strength and endurance in your upper extremities.
♫♪ Play with increased ease, therefore improving your performance.

 

In the Vancouver area? BOOK an appointment with me here OR call 604 568 4628.

Not in the Vancouver area? Online video consultations are available as well. Inquire here.

 

13,095 thoughts on “Playing Music With Pain”

  8. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of
    this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times
    it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance.
    I must say you have done a superb job with this.
    In addition, the blog loads very fast for me on Firefox.
    Outstanding Blog!

    Reply

  12. You’re so awesome! I do not believe I have read something like this before.
    So nice to discover someone with some unique
    thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting
    this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

    Reply

  15. I just could not depart your website prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed
    the usual info an individual provide on your guests?
    Is gonna be back regularly to investigate cross-check new posts

    Reply

  17. I have been browsing on-line more than three hours
    as of late, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours.

    It is beautiful worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content material as you
    probably did, the web might be much more helpful than ever before.

    Reply

  21. It’s the best time to make some plans for the
    future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if
    I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read more things about it!

    Reply

  23. We stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought
    I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just
    following you. Look forward to exploring your web page repeatedly.

    Reply

  25. Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you
    get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance
    is very much appreciated.

    Reply

  273. Have you ever thought about adding a lirtle bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what youu say is valuable and everything.
    Nevertheless just imagine if you added some grewt photos or videos to ggive yor posts
    more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its field.
    Great blog!
    http://cse.google.com.sg/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/it/comprare-spedra-avanafil-senza-ricetta-online/
    Finley, Finley, http://www.google.ae/url?q=it/https://comprarcialis5mg.org/it/comprare-spedra-avanafil-senza-ricetta-online/

    Reply

  290. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  296. What I have constantly told folks is that when looking for a good on-line electronics retail outlet, there are a few factors that you have to think about. First and foremost, you want to make sure to choose a reputable and also reliable store that has picked up great assessments and scores from other shoppers and business world leaders. This will make sure that you are handling a well-known store that provides good assistance and help to its patrons. Thank you for sharing your ideas on this web site.

    Reply

  319. It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it
    is time to be happy. I have read this publish and if I could I
    wish to recommend you some fascinating things or advice.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read more things approximately it!

    Reply

  327. Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you present here and can’t wait to take a
    look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, amazing blog!

    Reply

  420. I’ve been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours today, but
    I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made
    just right content material as you probably did, the
    web might be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    Reply

  1869. High quality supplements help you build the body of your dreams.

    If you wish nothing but the best for your silhouette and health, be sure to get steroids from
    the Balkan pharmaceuticals. Balkan Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest manufacturers of quality goods.
    In our store, there are only original items obtained directly from the industry.
    Popular Supplements: Steroids, Fat-Burners, Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT), Combined Course and
    others.
    newport-beach-wolf-repair.com
    Repairing an air conditioner is not the easiest thing to do.

    http://ruud-ac-installation-repair.com https://metroheatingrepair.com

    Reply