Injury Susceptibility (Daily Tips #3)

Repetitive stress injuries are usually due to a combination of factors. You may be susceptible without even knowing it. Overuse can creep up on you. Keep tabs on the following:

1. The force and tension with which you play- Is your playing style intense, emotional and macho? Do you squeeze your instrument or grip your bow? Do you clench your teeth? Do you hold your breath? Do you prefer difficult, pyrotechnical, loud, challenging repertoire? Do you jam keys down even when you play softly?

2. The amount of repetitive movements you perform. These can be cumulative over days, weeks or a whole career, Do you schedule back- to- back gigs, rehearsals and performances? Do you play the same passages over and over?

3. Your body size and build. Are you slender with narrower tunnels, a longer neck, droopy shoulders? Or are you overweight or de-conditioned? Are you a stressed, tense person?

4. The instrument you play. Do you play a very heavy, large, or resistant instrument? Do you play with a heavy bow, keep your strings too high, or do you use an ill-fitting chin rest? Does your instrument leak or do you strain to reach keys? Are you just down- right awkward and uncomfortable?

5. Your genetic make-up. Do you have small hands? Are you very petite or very tall? Do you have joint laxity
(i.e. are you "double jointed") which causes you to use more force in your fingers to keep them from buckling?

6. Your posture. Do you slouch when you play? Do you turn or twist your torso? Do you raise your shoulders or cock your head when you play? Do your legs dangle or conversely do you feel like your knees are "in your face"? Then the chair you are using is not right for you.

7. How much and how long you play. Do you take breaks? Do you take a day off a week? Do you play marathon sessions? Do you lose track of time when you are practicing? Do you have difficulty saying "no"?

8. Pay attention to your body. Do you play despite fatigue or pain? Do you need caffeinated beverages, alcohol drugs, or beta blockers to get through your day?

If your answer to these questions is mostly "yes" then you may be putting yourself at risk for an injury. Consult Playing (Less) Hurt for suggestions regarding how to avoid injuries and how to feel and play better.