Table of Contents

Part 1

Overview of How Injuries Can Arise

21

MY STORY

“No pain, no gain” 

25

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

The prevalence of injuries among instrumental musicians

29

WHY IT MAY HURT TO PLAY

A definition of overuse

37

THE CONDUCTOR IS IN

THE DRIVER’S SEAT

10 RISK FACTORS FOR ORCHESTRAL MUSICIANS

Risk factors and stressors particular to orchestral life

45

CAUSES OF OVERUSE INJURIES

INJURY SUSCEPTIBILITY QUIZ

10 POTENTIAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO OVERUSE

51

RISK FACTORS AND UNDERSTANDING

DANGER SIGNALS

This is your wake-up call

10 DANGER SIGNALS

Part 2

Explanation of Various Injuries

CHAPTER VII

57

STATIC LOADING,

BACK AND DISC PROBLEMS

A few suggestions for good posture

65

MUSCLE AND TENDON DISORDERS

OF THE ARMS AND SHOULDERS

Muscle tendon disorders, tendonitis of the shoulder, bursitis,

impingements, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder

10 ONSTAGE TRICKS THAT CAN BE DONE EVEN WHILE PLAYING

83

NERVE ENTRAPMENTS, AND HAND

AND FOREARM PAIN

Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome,

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, reducing arm tension,

thoracic outlet syndrome, Morton’s neuroma

10 PREVENTION TIPS FOR AVOIDANCE OF NERVE ENTRAPMENTS

AND OTHER OVERUSE INJURIES

103

OTHER CONDITIONS

Raynaud’s disease, beta blockers and performance anxiety,

ganglion cysts, focal dystonia, fibromyalgia, fibrositis or

myofacial pain syndrome, TMJ, eye problems, arthritis

Part 3

Preventative and Restorative Approaches

123

TOO MUCH, TOO SOON?

Guidelines for parents and teachers, the teacher-student

dynamic, lips, jaws, fingers, teeth, asthma, instrument size,

joint laxity, larynx

137

STRETCHING AND STRENGTHENING

10 SHOWER STRETCHES

10 ONSTAGE STRETCHES

155

CHAIR PROBLEMS

10 LOWER BACK TENSION RELIEVERS

169

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Outdoor concerts and other hazards

THE MUSICIAN’S SURVIVAL TRAVEL KIT: 10 ESSENTIAL ITEMS

171

Hearing is our Business

Musicians’ hearing loss

Tinnitus

185

THE WORST CASE SCENARIO (Click to read this chapter)

What to do when you’re hurt

191

HOW DO I START BACK?

Rehabilitation and work-hardening

 195

INSTRUMENT MODIFICATIONS

Splints, slings, supports and orthotics

221

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

“No brain, no gain”

A guide to sensible practicing, warming-up and cooling-down

 245

EVERYONE IS A LOBBYIST

Views for the future

Work-hardening, rotation, balancing programs, scheduling

concerts, onsite trainers

10 SUGGESTIONS FOR CONDUCTORS AND MANAGERS

Part 4

Further Help is Available

Further Help is Available

RESOURCE LIST    253

Books in print, organizations, websites, videos, products,

clinics and practitioners

INDEX of instruments           293

INDEX of Images     295

ORDER FORM        299