If you’re a musician, you know the physical demands of your craft. Hours of practice, repetitive movements, and holding your instrument in the same position for long periods can take a toll on your body—sometimes leading to pain that interferes with your ability to perform.
As physical therapists, we often see musicians with injuries that are surprisingly similar to those of athletes. Tendonitis, nerve compression, and posture-related issues are all common, and they usually don’t happen overnight. These injuries build slowly, often without warning, until playing becomes uncomfortable or even impossible.
Common Injuries We See in Musicians
🎻 Tendonitis & Overuse Injuries
These are especially common in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Violinists, pianists, and guitarists often experience pain from repeating the same motions for hours a day. Without proper rest and conditioning, the tendons become irritated and inflamed.
🎹 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands or fingers can signal nerve compression in the wrist—often caused by prolonged or awkward hand positions, especially in keyboard and string players.
🎺 Neck & Shoulder Strain
Poor posture, especially when seated or holding heavy instruments, can cause muscle imbalances and tension in the neck and upper back. This is common in brass players, cellists, and anyone practicing for long hours without breaks.
🥁 Lower Back Pain
Drummers and seated musicians often struggle with lower back issues due to poor sitting mechanics, lack of core engagement, and prolonged static posture.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
The good news? These issues are both preventable and treatable. Physical therapy takes a personalized approach to each musician’s unique demands—helping you stay healthy, pain-free, and performing at your best. Here’s how we support musicians in our clinic:
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Postural and Movement Assessment
We carefully observe your posture and movement while playing your instrument—whether seated, standing, or moving. This allows us to identify habits or positions that may be placing extra strain on certain muscles or joints. Even small tweaks in posture or hand position can significantly reduce pain and improve endurance. -
Addressing Muscle Imbalances and Weaknesses
Many musician-related injuries stem from overusing some muscles while others remain underactive. We perform strength and mobility testing to find these imbalances, then create targeted exercises to correct them. For example, strengthening your shoulder stabilizers or deep neck flexors can relieve chronic upper body tension. -
Customized Strength and Conditioning Programs
We design exercise programs that are tailored to your instrument, your body, and your goals. These might include endurance work for postural muscles, fine motor control drills for the hands and fingers, or dynamic stability exercises for better control while performing. -
Improving Flexibility and Mobility
Tight muscles can restrict movement and lead to compensations that cause pain. We use manual therapy techniques and guided stretches to improve flexibility where needed—whether it’s tight forearms, stiff shoulders, or a rigid spine. This helps you move more freely and with less effort. -
Injury Prevention and Ergonomic Education
We don’t just treat the pain—we help you avoid it in the future. That includes teaching warm-up routines, recommending rest schedules, and suggesting ergonomic changes to your instrument setup, seating, or practice environment. Small adjustments like using a footstool, adjusting chair height, or changing instrument angle can make a big difference.
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Finally, if you already feel like you have enough information and you’re ready to get help from providers that take the time and attention you deserve, then click HERE to request a $35 Discovery Visit with one of our expert physical therapists.
Elevate Your Healing Journey with PEMF Therapy at Form & Function PT
If you’re navigating the path to recovery or striving for enhanced well-being, PEMF therapy might be the transformative solution you need. At Form & Function PT, we’re dedicated to guiding you through each step of your health journey with our expert therapies, including the groundbreaking PEMF treatment. Ready to explore how PEMF therapy can benefit you? Reach out to us at (888) 619-2885 for a conversation with our physical therapists and discover a new avenue to health and vitality.
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