Musicians and Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis in instrumentalists
Musicians and Lateral Epicondylitis (“Tennis Elbow”): What You Need to Know How do you get tennis elbow if you don’t play tennis? For many instrumentalists, long hours of practice can take a toll on the body—particularly the arms and elbows. One common overuse injury seen among musicians is lateral epicondylitis, more widely known as “tennis elbow.” While the name may suggest this is only an athlete’s problem, musicians are actually at higher risk due to the repetitive, precise, and often awkward movements required by their instruments. What Is Lateral Epicondylitis? Lateral epicondylitis is an overuse injury affecting the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outer part of the elbow. These tendons, especially the extensor carpi radialis brevis, are responsible for stabilizing and extending the wrist. When they are stressed repeatedly without adequate recovery, tiny tears and inflammation can develop, leading to pain and weakness. Symptoms and Presentation in Musicians * Pain or burning on the outside of the elbow. * Weak grip strength (trouble holding bows, sticks, or frets). * Pain when lifting, gripping, or twisting (like turning a doorknob or opening a jar). * Symptoms worsened by practice sessions but may linger...
read moreInteroception and Body Awareness – Portland, Maine
Interoception, Natural Health, and the Role of Chiropractic Care When it comes to living a healthier life, most of us focus on what we can see—numbers on a scale, lab results, or how our posture looks in the mirror. But there’s another sense working in the background that can be just as important: interoception. Interoception is our brain’s ability to notice, interpret, and respond to signals from inside the body. It’s what allows us to sense hunger, thirst, heart rate, gut activity, or even subtle shifts in tension and discomfort. The better our interoception, the better we can **understand what the body is asking for**—and respond in ways that help prevent small issues from becoming larger health concerns. Why Interoception Matters Think of interoception as your body’s “dashboard.” Just like a car alerts you to low fuel or tire pressure, your body sends signals about stress, fatigue, inflammation, or imbalance. Learning from body signals: People with strong interoceptive awareness can catch early signs of illness—like recognizing unusual fatigue or irregular heartbeat—before problems escalate. * Natural prevention: By tuning in, you may be able to take simple actions (hydrating, stretching, resting, improving posture, or adjusting nutrition) rather than waiting...
read moreCostochondritis in Musicians: Healing, Management & Prevention in Portland, Maine & New England
Costochondritis in Musicians: Healing, Management & Prevention. Chiropractic Care and Costochondritis in Musicians When you think of musician injuries, sternum pain or costochondritis might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for many performers, especially those playing stringed instruments, wind instruments, or drums, chest wall discomfort can be both painful and performance-limiting. More musicians are discovering that chiropractic care, integrated with strategic physiotherapy, offers a non-drug, non-surgical solution for healing, managing, and preventing costochondritis. What is Costochondritis and why do musicians develop this condition? Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). It can be caused or aggravated by: * Prolonged, forward-flexed playing posture (guitarists, violinists, pianists) * Overuse of chest and shoulder muscles during practice or performance * Repetitive upper body movement patterns * Heavy instrument straps or uneven weight distribution * Excessive pressure from breath control in wind or brass musicians * Previous rib or chest injuries that never fully healed For musicians, the constant tension in the thoracic spine, rib joints, and surrounding musculature can contribute to chronic inflammation and recurring pain. The main symptoms of costochondritis are usually focused on the chest wall, and they can sometimes...
read moreCarpal Tunnel Syndrome in Musicians – diagnosis, healing, recovery, prevention.
Chiropractic Care and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Musicians As a musician, your hands, wrists, and forearms are more than tools—they are your direct connection to your art. Unfortunately, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common and frustrating injury for many musicians. It can threaten your ability to perform with precision, speed, and control. Around the world, more musicians are turning to chiropractic care to not only relieve symptoms, but also address the root neurological and biomechanical causes—helping them heal, manage, and prevent CTS without relying solely on medications or surgery. Most professional or career musicians don’t want, and sometimes cannot afford the downtime or risk associated with drugs and surgeries most commonly associated CTS. Why Musicians Are at High Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve is compressed in the narrow space of the wrist. For musicians, this often happens due to: * Repetitive wrist and finger movements (e.g., pianists, guitarists, violinists, drummers) * Prolonged static postures during practice and performance * Poor wrist mechanics and ergonomics with instruments * Excessive grip force or awkward hand positions * Overuse injuries without adequate rest and recovery These stresses cause inflammation, swelling, and nerve irritation,...
read moreÎngrijirea chiropractică pentru umărul înghețat la muzicieni – România
Îngrijirea chiropractică pentru umărul înghețat la muzicieni Capsulita adezivă — cunoscută în mod obișnuit sub numele de „umăr înghețat” — este o afecțiune dureroasă și frustrantă, care poate dura luni sau chiar ani pentru a se rezolva fără tratament adecvat. Pentru muzicieni, în special pentru instrumentiști cu coarde, pianiști, chitariști și toboșari, aceasta poate fi o problemă care afectează serios cariera. Progresele în înțelegerea îngrijirii chiropractice bazate pe neurologie oferă noi speranțe atât pentru recuperare, cât și pentru prevenție. Înțelegerea capsulitei adezive la muzicieni Umărul înghețat apare atunci când țesutul conjunctiv din jurul articulației umărului devine inflamat și rigid, ceea ce duce la durere și la o reducere severă a mobilității. Pentru muzicieni, aceasta afectează: – Rezistența la cântat (oboseala se instalează mai repede) – Precizia (controlul mușchilor mici este compromis) – Postura (compensarea poate provoca leziuni secundare) – Durerea (nu toate durerile pot fi ignorate în timpul interpretării) – Viitorul (cazurile grave pot necesita operație, se pot vindeca incomplet sau pot fi permanente) – Anxietatea (mulți muzicieni afectați încep să se teamă să mai cânte în public, de frica unor noi accidentări sau a unui eșec) Neurologia vindecării și rolul chiropracticii Cercetările moderne în neuroștiințe, susținute...
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