Musicians and other artists who solely rely on musical instruments end up being frustrated at some point in their career when they are forced to stop playing due to minor or chronic injuries.
It’s always painful to hear that some of them are forced to postpone some of their performances when injuries persist. It may be due to one or two of their thumbs becoming numb, or they’re always waking up with persistent pain in their backs. Later their doctor intervenes by subjecting them to good food, more rest and sleep.
This shouldn’t be the case. It’s always better to prevent such misfortunes before they compel you to stop playing for several months or years while recovering, especially if music is your whole life.
The most susceptible ones are the musicians with several years of experience playing string instruments. Chances are high that if they don’t stick to the recommended safety instructions, they might end up with chronic pain or being accustomed to quit playing due to serious back, neck, and hand pain in the long run. The worst are the occupational injuries; they make the rest of your days on earth a nightmare.
But you can avoid these injuries. You won’t have to lose your ability to play before resorting to therapy to get it back.
Make decisions! Save yourself that cost!
We believe that injuries should never be an option and this is why you should check out the following major playing-related injuries listed below. Have all eyes on the vital ones.
Muscle injuries
The little tears in the muscles often ruin the muscles that have been attached to the tendons. These tears result from overusing the muscles of the hands without stretching and warming them up before use.
The muscles found in the neck, hands, and the back of the body are always the ones that are affected most. The sharp pains in the neck, hands, and the back of the body result when you are straining yourself for a longer period with a poor body position.
There is also another muscle injury known as occupational cramps, which occurs as a result of using one of your muscles repeatedly. It leads to fatigue, stiffness, and tightness of the muscles.
Also, when you start experiencing frequent pains and tenderness on the thumb side of your elbow, then it’s better to know that you are suffering from lateral Epicondylitis. It always isn’t that severe. It can be controlled. Other injuries include the inflammation of the joint due to the wearing of the cartilage which covers the joint heads.
Emotional and Mental Injuries
Playing these instruments comes with a variety of complications. Some of them include developing both mental and emotional injuries which are caused by alterations in your mood, the way you perceive things and anxiety too.
Anxiety makes you restless, confused, tensed, and feeling lonely. Depression may follow later after you’ve become restless. Musical players can be later affected by insomnia. Its common signs include victims constantly waking during the night or being interrupted in sleep, and also not being able to fall asleep again.
Nerve Compression
Musicians or students who play the cello, violin, viola, and string bass can also suffer from nerve compressions. It is also caused by poor body positioning. You will feel numb, a tingling effect, and a bit of weakness in the body sections that experience the nerve compressions.
It may be on your elbow, whole hand, the sides of the thumb, or near the joints that connect the chest, shoulders, and neck.
Injury Prevention Tips
Prevention tips are not only meant for the victims who have not experienced these common injuries, but also for those who have been affected and don’t want the effects to intensify. Such tips will help reduce the pain and fatigue which are the most common symptoms. Heed the following tips below.
Know Your Body
Poor body posture is one of the greatest practices that kills the dreams of most instrumentalists. This is why as a player, you need to be aware of your body shape before sitting. Good body positioning entails distributing your weight equally between the feet.
To ensure that it is equally distributed, make your back straight and your feet horizontal while sitting. If you discover that you are using too much energy or you are taking a lot of time before you stand, you may be neglecting your posture.
Adjusting your posture should be done with ease. Not to mention, you may need the guidance of an instructor or your mirror to check on your posture every time that you are sitting. Even after recovery, make the new posture a habit. It shouldn’t stop because the injuries will later haunt you.
Regular Exercise
There are special treatments for those who love to play the cello, violin, viola, and the string bass instruments. Exercising regularly is one of them, and it helps reduce the pains that come along with both the short and the long-term injuries.
You should enroll for regular massages, or pay frequent visits to an experienced chiropractor. Also, you can do yoga more often to get good body alignment. Most of these injuries that people are subjected to are always short-term, and you need to do the exercises regularly to heal them faster.
Consult your instructor and your doctor, and in no time, you will be playing perfectly like before.
Keep Yourself Healthy
Take more breaks after playing when you discover that you have an injury in its early stages. Utilize the exercises. Warm-ups are the most vital ones that you should invest your time in. Stretch and relax more often. It will help to calm down any anxieties that you may have.
Eating healthy is also key. The efforts of investing in good foods are rewarding. You will recover faster, especially when you take more vitamins. Don’t hesitate to drink a lot of water!
Conclusion
There’s no secret to chasing away most of the injuries that intermediate, and advanced musicians can get. It only needs a little dedication. Exercise frequently, keeping yourself healthy and know the structure of your body. The pain may ease with time, but it’s better if you strive to eliminate it permanently.