Date sent:        Fri, 27 Jun 1997 23:03:33 +1000
Subject:          Musicians and Injuries

I've just spent the last couple of hours reading through all (almost)
the info on your page. Very interesting, and a relief to know that I'm
not the only one (you know, scared to see a doctor, disheartened by what
the doc says, foolish enough to play through the pain). If it's of any
help to anyone this is what happened to me. 

1992 I sat for a Performer's Cetificate (Piano). I was afraid of failing
so I increased my practise periods (2 lots of 2 hours a day, no breaks).
I was unemployed, unhappy and suffering miserably from unrequited love.
Leading up to the exam I was on anti-depressants and after the exam I
fell apart and didn't play for 1 year. Any surprise that I hurt myself?
I learnt the hard way that practising with an excess of physical and
psychological stress is a recipe for disiaster. 18 months later I was
back with my teacher and working as a domestic cleaner. I was soon
waking up at night in pain. When I played I felt uncoordinated and out
of control. The doctor told me to stop cleaning and being a pianist
(Great!) My teacher (a very wise and wonderful woman) told me to learn
to relax, quit cleaning and practise for half hour periods VERY SLOWLY.
This actually did more to improve my technique than all my sweat for the
performance exam. She also told me to go for a walk everyday (I told you
she was brilliant). Things steadily improved, but I felt I lacked the
flow I used to have so I went to an acupuncturist. I know this is not
for everyone, but it really worked for me. He uses a combination of
massage and sticking pins in me. As well as freeing the energy blockage
in my arms he is treating the fact that my whole system is out of
balance. In his words "if the body's vitality level is low and
unbalanced your muscles will not recover from ordinary tasks as they
should." He also taught me about stretching. I now do this ALWAYS before
and after practising and teach all of my students to do the same. 

I've learned how much being a musician means to me and how precious a
gift it is; that I have to look after my instrument (me). There is
nothing like the feeling of energy flowing freely down arms as light as
air, fingers as loose and supple as elastic as Bach ripples through the
house without effort. It's so cool and I almost stuffed it completely.

Getting the combination of a balanced body and mind is as essential as
the correct technique. As a teacher I feel it is really important to
nurture students in this way as well as focusing on the more technical
aspects of playing. 

Thank you for an excellent site.