The Playing (less) Hurt Blog

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Hearing is Everyone's Business

Click here to go to the "Senza Sordino" Download Page. The latest edition should be posted shortly.

Some genius decided that everything should beep - ATM's, grocery store scanners, gas pumps, seatbelt warnings, backing up trucks, microwaves, TV's, cordless phones, etc and they are all at high pitches- the most damaging frequency.
Add to that power tools, drills, leaf blowers, lawnmowers, snow blowers, iPods cranked up,
( iPods are capped at 100 decibels in Europe. Over that level one can only listen for one hour a day without risk to hearing) and amplified music everywhere you go and we have a scary scenario. Our hearing is at risk!

If hearing is your business ( and livelihood) it is our responsibility to protect our hearing and to advocate for turning volumes down. As more and more people become hard of hearing, decibel levels will rise. It is certainly my vision of hell, living in what is already a toxically loud environment that hurts not only our ears but also increases blood pressure and anxiety levels.

Noise induced hearing injuries are rising rapidly. The injuries including constant ringing or roaring in your head called Tinnitus or off the charts sensitivity where all sounds are as if they have been turned up on high and normal sounds seem intolerably loud. There are two injuries where this can occur called hyperacussis and recruitment. These may or may not be accompanied by hearing loss but in fact are more life changing. For a very in depth study please see asoundear.playinglesshurt.com which is downloadable on my website.

We have been so proactive in the greening of our country, of lobbying against all types of pollution. What about noise pollution? We have to do it!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Gold award in the Health category Independent Publisher Book Awards 2009

Just attended the BookExpo America Convention in NYC where my 2009 new book was awarded a gold medal in the Health category from the Independent Book Awards. It was beyond fabulous. A once in a lifetime event. There were 2 days of education everything from a "pitch blast" - a little like speed dating (we had 3 minutes to pitch a new book to agents of impressive stature), to how to use today's electronic and networking options. The many seminars focused on the fact that what we as book writers really want is to deliver the content in whatever format people prefer to read it in!

Please let me know if you think providing an ebook format or a download by subscription is something you think I should start providing. I could also offer the option of an ebook while the beautiful new paper book is going snail mail so you could get started reading it.
I rubbed shoulders with some best selling authors like James Patterson and John Irving and Greg Morgenson and also many Independent book sellers, writers and all the outstanding publishers both large and small out there.

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Playing (less) Hurt is on Twitter!

Janet Horvath will be posting daily updates full of new discoveries and stories.

Stay Tuned.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Follow Us!

Tired of checking the blog for new holiday deals and updates to Playing (less) Hurt? Follow us!

Simply create a BlogSpot Blogger account by going to http://www.google.com/accounts and clicking create account. If you already have an account, simply sign in!

Then on the www.blogger.com homepage, click on "Dashboard", Then under the "Reading List" click on "Blogs I'm Following".

Simply click "Add" blog to follow, and search for Playing (less) Hurt!

You can then edit your alert settings according to how you want to be notified and what you want to be notified about!

You will get an email every time there is an important post for some news or a holiday deal!

Richard Norris

Richard Norris' Holiday Package has been added to our online store.

Visit our store to order Richard Norris' of the "Musicians Survival Manual Booklet & Therapeutic Exercises DVD"

More Details to Follow

Playing (less) Hurt 2009 Edition

The newly revised edition of Playing (less) Hurt has been released!

Please visit our online store to order!

The new edition of Playing (less) Hurt has many more pages of helpful resources. Visit our website for more details on the new additions.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Playing (less) Hurt Website

Fall has arrived and we are in the process of publishing our new 2009 edition of Playing (less) Hurt. The 2009 edition has a fully revised hearing chapter, new information for musicians, teachers, students, more then 20 pages of new resources, and much more.

Our second large project is the revision of PlayingLessHurt.com. We have completely revised it and it is looking better then ever. It will include a new theme, colors, easier to read text, faster loading, easier navigation, and much more. Stay tuned for the launch of the new site and we would love to hear your feedback!

- Janet & The PLH Team

Friday, August 15, 2008

New!: Playing (less) Hurt 2009 Edition

COMING SOON!

New in the 2009 edition:

~ Expanded chapter on hearing

~ Information for classroom music teachers

~ Training and education resource listings

~ Information for jazz and rock musicians

~ Photos of woodwinds, ergonomic products, and other instrument modifications

~ Latest research and resources fully updated

Stay Tuned for Release Information!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Upcoming Events...

Stay tuned to the PLH Blog and the Upcoming Events page on our website for Janet's Lectures during this coming summer! She will be traveling in Colorado, Vermont, and Minnesota giving lectures. Click on the link above! Updates Coming Soon!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

TIP OF THE MONTH: JANUARY

WHEN TO USE ICE AND WHEN TO USE HEAT

When you feel you have overplayed, you have some pain, or for those hot, tired muscles after a heavy performance even when injury is absent, drop everything and ice the area. Icing accelerates recovery and promotes healing. Ice minimizes swelling and therefore allows blood flow to continue unrestricted, and is a good pain killer. Since your pain is minimized, it allows you to keep moving, which can prevent scar tissue from forming.

Keep ice packs handy and apply to the sore area over a thin towel 40 to 60 seconds several times a day just long enough to make the area numb, combined with gentle massaging by “painting” the ice over the painful areas when an injury first occurs.

Ice is not advised for anyone with circulatory problems. Avoid ice if you have RSD, Raynaud’s rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

Make sure that you stop playing and other hand intensive activity after icing. Do not stretch and do not play right after icing. You can injure yourself further, as your muscles are less flexible after icing.

Use heat to relieve pain when an injury is chronic or long term. Here is a rule of thumb:

Cold reduces pain and inflammation; heat assists in stretching.

Use HEAT BEFORE playing and ICE AFTER playing.

Heat can relax and soothe sore muscles. It can help you prepare to warm up prior to practicing or performing by gently warming up your hands if they are cold and by assisting with range of motion stretches. Never use hot water – stick to warm water. Heat should not be used when inflammation is present and when the injury is acute.

From Janet Horvath’s

Playing (less) Hurt- An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians

Available for $29.95 at www.playinglesshurt.com

Sunday, December 23, 2007

About Janet Video...

The about Janet video has been revised!

Click Here to Watch!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Links...

Check at the bottom of the page for new links!!!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Tip of the Month: December

WARM UP!

Warmed muscles are more efficient, strong and resilient. Muscle speed and efficiency are enhanced by a rise in the temperature in the muscle. Muscles that are overused, fatigued and under-conditioned are more tense and require more work for a demanding task. An athlete wouldn’t think of starting in without a warm up!

It is important to start by gently and smoothly using our muscles for a few minutes to increase blood flow without stressing them. Cold muscles are inelastic!

First warm up away from the instrument. Any aerobic activity like a brisk 5- minute walk, stair-climbing, or jumping jacks followed by some upper extremity stretching will do the trick. These could include shoulder shrugs and rolls, reaching towards the ceiling, stretching your arms back behind you, clasping your hands and lifting your arms behind you, and some hand and arm circles are all good for warming up.

At the instrument start slowly and easily in the medium range of your instrument and at a medium tempo and dynamic. Avoid starting with chop busting exercises, double stops, large chords, any reaches and other pyrotechnics. How you start playing is more important than what you play. Working a muscle too quickly can cause the muscle to contract. Start gently and gradually increase the speed and intensity in each session. Take more time to warm up when it is cold outside, when you are more fatigued and especially after injury. Remember to keep breathing and to focus on the release of any awkward or strenuous positions.