Clarkson University Physical Therapy Program

Musician Injury Prevention

Clarkson University Doctor of Physical Therapy students have collaborated with Crane School of Music faculty and students to develop a series of injury prevention workshops. This page has the handouts created for that project.

None of the activities or exercises described in these handouts should increase pain; if they do, stop doing them and see a health care provider for personalized guidance.

• Powerpoint slides from Musician Injury Prevention lecture
• Posture, body mechanics and ergonomics for musicians
• Trigger points: common symptoms and management
• Relaxation strategies
• Kinesiotaping for musicians
• Temporomandibular joint (jaw) pain
• Headaches caused by muscle trigger points

Additional resources

• Self-care: preventing common musician injuries
• Principles of stretching for musicians
• Stretching techniques for musicians
• Strengthening for musicians

Common conditions affecting musicians

• Hand, wrist and elbow conditions common among musicians
• Neck and shoulder conditions common among musicians
• Low back injuries common among musicians
• Hypermobility syndrome: symptoms and management

For questions, contact the Physical Therapy faculty supervisor for this project, Dr. Leslie Russek, at Lrussek@clarkson.edu.