2. Where do injuries come from
Overuse
Accidents
Improper Form
Improper Adjustments
3. Warm up
Move through the entire range of motion
Neck, shoulder, arms, wrists, fingers
Gradual increase of speed and tempo
Gradual increase of range of sound
Standard or preparatory
4. “Rest” Breaks
Active recovery
Movement to counteract muscle
imbalances
Movement to increase overall body
circulation
Cool Down
5. Combined effects of work
Time at rehearsal
Time at play
Difficulty of piece
Number of pieces
7. Instrument Fit
Alterations to fit mobility
issues
Carrying of instruments
Playing posture
Mouthpieces
Hand placement
8. General physical condition
Need for endurance in play/performance
Posture
Counterbalance imbalances due to
holding single position
Strengthening
Flexibility
Stability
Increased focus
9. Pain/Discomfort
Pain / Discomfort
Worsens with play?
No Yes
Worsen next day? Can change of position lessen?
Yes
Lessen int. but sharp or Can decrease Adjust and play
Try again radiating(deep ache)? intensity lessen?
Yes
Play thru Play but Get seen play at decreased time/
Get evaluated and treated intensity and GRADUALLY increase
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
10. Thank you
Shannon Ashe, MEd, ATC, CSCS
Clinical Coordinator for Athletic Training
Education Program
Department of Kinesiology
School of Health Professions
sashe@samford.edu
205-726-4143
Editor's Notes
Overuse:
Average performing artist rehearses hours a day. More so when learning a new piece.
Accidents:
In other words, acute injuries. Much less likely but still possible
Improper form:
There are various schools of thought to the play of each instrument and in how to hold onesself singing.
Form that causes pain is an indication of something not working right.
Alexander Technique:
unconscious change – directed by teacher through physical biofeedback
conscious change: - awareness of a habit
- inhibition – thought and action stopping (not changing just not doing)
- conscious control – directing appropriate change
Feldenkrais Method: break down movement into its learned components
if technique is not producing or is causing pain, see where they skipped in learning process and recreate
no “right and wrong”
Physicals: Specific for musicians
Proposed by Neward and Weinstien in ‘95
include specific history: practice schedule
exercises – wu, cd, specific to instrument, other activities
training / education level
Previous treatments: including Feldenkrais and Alexander
Musculoskeletal – include posture with and without instrument
hypermobility identified
other muscle specific changes (fasciculations, atrophy, strength imbalances)
ROM – need to make sure full ROM is achieved bilaterally to limber muscles that will be called upon during play and prevent imbalances
Speed and Tempo need to be eased into
Range of sound, especially vocal, need to be eased into
Standard – Scales
Preparatory – shortened version of piece to reherse/play or known piece that can gradually increase range and speed
Use cool down to counteract imbalances during play and to reestabilish full bilateral range of motion
Rehearsal begins with warm up.
Need to factor in any performance times occuring on same day
Need to factor in any individual lessens on same day
Difficulty of piece can cause overuse and abuse issues
Multiple technique changes can cause stress
Standing general posture – forward head tilt
pelvic tilt
affects balance and body recovery
Seated at instrument – pelvic tilt
head tilt
lumbar/thoracic
Hypermobility – some may be needed
ain’t broke don’t fix it…unless there is some underlying pathologies
Ergonomic aids – multiple aids out there to adjust for mobility issues with various instruments
braces to encourage proper posture – neck, back, shoulder, elbow, wrist
Hand size
Arm length
Playing posture – rounding of shoulders lead to nerve entrapment
Mouthpieces – in addition to standard issues of mouth, also position of head when in contact with mouth piece
Hand placement – neutral wrist, pressure through finger tips whenever possible.