In Harmony: Chiropractic for Musicians
By Sara Butler
From a classical pianist to the drummer of a death metal band, musicians present their bodies with unique tasks and unique challenges. Just as with any other job that requires physical activity, musicians need to be proactive about their health since they are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries. If they have improper posture, techniques that aren’t ergonomic, don’t rest enough or use excessive force when playing, then they are at risk for injuries. That is exactly why chiropractic is so important for musicians!
Why Musicians Have an Increased Risk of Injury
Musicians are commonly injured by:
- Learning a new instrument
- Changing their technique
- Not resting adequately
- Working on a new piece that is technically difficult
The types of injuries experienced by musicians are largely related to the instruments they play. Cellists often have problems with their shoulders; drummers often experience low back pain and tendinitis. Playing an instrument also involves many repetitive motions, so every musician is at risk for developing a repetitive stress injury.
If you have a misalignment in your body, what your chiropractor calls a subluxation, then it can put unnecessary stress on the muscles and other soft tissue surrounding the joint. This can cause these signs and symptoms in musicians, and if left untreated can be devastating to their careers as well as their quality of life.
Common Injuries Associated with Instrument Playing
Some of the most common injuries in musicians treated by chiropractors include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Bursitis
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Subluxations
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Every one of these conditions can include symptoms such as:
- Tingling
- Pain
- Numbness
- Reduced mobility
- Loss of motor control
How Chiropractic Can Help
Chiropractors may be known as experts of the spine, but they are also specialists in body mechanics. The special nature of playing an instrument, since the instrument itself can’t be altered in order to improve ergonomics and mechanics, makes it very important to consult with a chiropractor who can help you work on form to keep your body healthy.
Chiropractic care can help musicians through hands-on adjustments of the spine and extremities. The techniques employed by chiropractors can treat and may even prevent some of the conditions listed above. If you view your body as a garden, the chiropractor is the gardener. When a garden is well cared for it is easier to tend – just like your body.
The show must go on, and it can go on with the help of a chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic!
