Welcome back to Musician’s Maintenance, for musician’s who just can’t afford to have pain and injury limit their playing.
This issue is brought to you by me! If you are believe that your health is an investment, not an expense and are looking for more customized guidance than a free resources can provide, I may be able to help. Learn more here.
I’m Cody, and I appreciate spending the next few minutes in your inbox. Below you’ll find resources and exercises to help you maintain your body at least as well as you maintain your instrument. Let’s get to it!
My Views on Musician’s Health
I was lucky to spend an hour on Instagram Live talking with Juilliard trained violist and Alexander Technique practitioner Eddy Malave about all things musician’s health. Eddy is a wonderful interviewer and I really enjoyed speaking with him.
So if you want a better idea of how I think about musician’s health, and a few ideas for how to manage pain or injury, then give this conversation a listen. If you enjoy it, be sure to follow Eddy and Unison Orchestra on Instagram to keep up with the great work he is doing.
My Conversation with Eddy Malave | via Instagram
5 Exercises for Finger Tendon Health
Finger tendons are one of the most common sites of injury for nearly all musicians. Here is a great group of exercises from physical therapist Dr. Tom Walters of Rehab Science that were designed for a condition called trigger finger, but are also great for keeping your finger tendons healthy. Watch the videos to learn the movements, then give the routine below a try.
- Duck: 10 times on each hand.
- Curl: 10 times on each hand.
- Squeeze: 10 times on each hand.
- Trace: 3 times through each finger on each hand.
- Splay: 10 times on each hand.
- If you are feeling good and have a little more time, then run through the routine another 1 or 2 times.
Trigger Finger Rehab Exercises | Dr. Tom Walters via Instagram
Help Turn the Tide of Injury in Musicians
The rate of injury in musicians is insanely high and it ends more careers than it needs to.
If you want to be a part the solution, one of the easiest things you can do is connect fellow musicians with good resources.
If you find information like this helpful, please consider forwarding this email to a friend, colleague, teacher or classmate. They can also sign up here. Thanks!