Playing without Pain: Strategies for the Developing Instrumentalist
Abstract
Playing without Pain: Strategies for the Developing Instrumentalist SAGE Publications, Inc.2006DOI: 10.1177/002743210609300218 William J. Dawson Northwestern University in Evanstown, Illinios, w-dawson@northwestern.edu Ii ith the 11 · of 1 / r 1 1 1 music ' I I help · ' 1' prevent 0 flu/ I ' injuries 1 · I ' they do occur. '"~,, ,s<.~., " ~.Ac~~~,a.instrumental musicians aren't the only ones to develop painful problems that interfere with .their pstctice and performance-young musicians are affected, too. In fact, some young instrumen- R.~a3i,sl~;~~~~:~more likely than their elders to be bothered by these painful conditions. Health profes- ::51ori~1!$:M0Iio frequently see musicians in their offices recognize that their young patients participate F~~~i`musi~~~~5`soloists and in all types of ensembles including jazz and marching bands, orchestras, and chamber and choral ensembles. Central to working effectively with young musicians' medical problems are proper diagnosis and treatment, followed closely by rehabilitation of the affected area of the body. Perhaps even more important to a young musician's career, which may last sixty-five to seventy years, is prevention- how to avoid problems before they start, as well as how to minimize the development of additional difficulties following treatment. The physician and therapist form two sides