Are your lego socks really that dangerous?

Laundry is one of those chores we all do on autopilot… until it flares an injury and suddenly makes playing your instrument uncomfortable, weak, or downright painful. Yup. It can happen. As a chiropractor who specializes in working with musicians, I see the same patterns again and again: ordinary movements become injury multipliers when your hands, shoulders, spine, and nervous system are already taxed by hours of practice or performance.

This short guide will help you understand where laundry can go wrong—and how to keep your body resilient, steady, and ready to play.

1. The Laundry Basket: Hidden Enemy of the Upper Back & Hands

The problem: Carrying heavy baskets (especially away from your body) strains the thoracic spine, neck, wrists, and elbows -common hotspots for guitarists, pianists, drummers, string players, and horn players.

Why musicians should care:
When you fatigue the postural muscles that support the shoulder girdle, your fine-motor precision decreases. That increases risk for:

  • Tendon irritation in the picking or bowing hand

  • Reduced grip endurance for drummers and bassists

  • Neck tension that alters breath mechanics for wind players

Safer option:

  • Hold baskets close to your body.

  • Make more light loads instead of one big haul.

  • If carrying up/down stairs, keep one hand on the railing—don’t torque your spine.

2. The Washer/Dryer Bend: Low Back & Neck Load

The problem: Leaning into top-loaders or crouching into front-loaders creates repeated flexion. Musicians already spend hours bent over their instrument – this compounds the issue.

Risks for instrumentalists:

  • Low-back fatigue → worsens posture during practice

  • Neck flexion → increases headaches and jaw tension

  • Hip/glute inhibition → reduces stability for drummers and violinists

Safer option:

  • Instead of bending, hinge at the hips with a neutral spine.

  • Place one hand on the machine edge for stability.

  • Consider a small step stool if you’re repeatedly reaching deep into a top-loader.

Musician Laundry Call Dr. Lou

3. Folding Laundry: Shoulder + Wrist Overuse

The problem: Folding creates a repetitive, small-range motion that looks “easy” – until your rotator cuff or wrist tendons are already irritated from practice.

Risks for musicians:

  • Aggravation of carpal tunnel or ulnar nerve irritation

  • Shoulder blade fatigue, making bowing or strumming weaker

  • Tight forearms → slower recovery between gigs

Safer option:

  • Fold on a counter-height surface, not low on a couch or bed.

  • Keep elbows slightly tucked instead of reaching forward.

  • Break it into 5 – 10 minute sessions instead of one marathon folding session.

4. Ironing: The Surprise Trigger for Neck & Trapezius Tension

The problem: Ironing = arm extended, shoulder elevated, wrist flexed. A recipe for neck tension.

Risks for players:

  • Trap tightness → affects bow control, picking endurance, and breath control

  • Wrist flexion → increased strain on flexor tendons (pianists, guitarists)

  • Standing poorly → fatigue in lower back before rehearsal or performance

Safer option:

  • Adjust ironing board so your forearm is close to parallel to the floor.

  • Iron with your elbow down and relaxed, not up and out to the side.

  • Switch arms every couple of minutes to distribute load.

5. The Big Takeaway: Laundry Doesn’t Injure You—Repetition & Fatigue Do

Many musicians live and work in a world of precision movement, and anything that increases tension, reduces mobility, or exhausts stabilizing muscles can show up immediately in your playing.

Laundry isn’t dangerous -but poor mechanics while doing the laundry can make an already stressed body cross the line into pain or dysfunction.

When to Consider a Chiropractic Evaluation

If you notice:

  • Pain during or after laundry or while playing your instrument.

  • Wrist or forearm tightness that affects your tone or speed.

  • Neck stiffness that worsens posture, or bad posture that worsens neck stiffness.

  • Shoulder fatigue, low back pain or fatigue during practice.

…then it may be time for an evaluation. If your “gut” tells you it’s time, it’s definitely time.

Dr. Lou Jacobs, Chiropractor and chiropractic acupuncturist in Portland, Maine, has been working with and specializing in the health and performance of musicians of all types, for over 23 years. His work has been highlighted in Guitar Player Magazine, and his client list is extensive, having worked with some of the best horn players in the world today. Dr. Lou is always accepting new patients and offers tele-consulting for musicians outside of Southern Maine. Dr. Lou also works with families and is board certified in chiropractic care for children and  pregnant moms. Dr. Lou may be reached by calling (207) 774-6251 or by messaging his office manager, Sandra Escobar, at Sandra@DrLouJacobs.com.