Repetitive Stress

[Jazz]

I noticed we had some musicians here

I also have noticed that repetitive stress injuries are rarely ever talked about even though they are very dangerous for a professional musician (or any type of musician for that matter).

So, that being said, if you play an instrument (non-professionally or professionally) what kind of things do you do to keep tendonitis, strained or pulled muscles, or other kinds or RSI from raining on your parade?

[markvi]

good topic. i play professionally and worry about carpal tunnel or some other injury ending my playing days. i'm at the age such things commonly happen. (translation--i'm getting old). my only defense against such problems is repeating a few times a week-"gee i hope nothing happens." maybe somebody out there has a series of exercises to help keep the old fingers working or has ways of avoiding stress injuries. i'll be checking back.

[Coypu]

Having a good tecnique, warming up and not overplaying in time and avoiding bad angles is a good start.

[clifton]

There are some useful hand exercises I know. They involve taking a lump of silly putty or play dough and squeezing it, shaping it, and rolling it. Sounds silly but it does help.