Health, Resources

New Strain Adds to Complexity of Lyme Disease

May 1, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and health officials from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, report the discovery of a new species of bacteria (Borrelia mayonii) that causes Lyme disease. Until now, Borrelia burgdorferi was the only species believed to cause Lyme disease in North America. Scientists first […]

Take the Stage with Confidence: Strategies to Overcome Stage Fright 

April 1, 2023

It’s a musician’s dream to play to a packed house. Yet for many, it comes with a cost. Paralyzing anxiety, often called stage fright, can derail concentration and sabotage your ability to play well. The autonomic nervous system emits a rush of adrenaline to prepare your body for a perceived threat, called a fight or […]

Identifying Rotator Cuff Injury and Pain

February 1, 2023

When it comes to shoulder strain, even musicians are not spared. Rotator cuff injuries are common among athletes, such as baseball players, who make powerful throws, and swimmers and tennis players who continually use overhead motions. Likewise, musicians are liable to incur tears because of overuse. Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints. […]

Strategies to Reduce Inflammation and Feel Better

December 1, 2022

Acute inflammation is the immune system’s appropriate response to sudden trauma, injury, or bacteria. To begin healing, your body sends inflammatory cells to the site of the injury. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, means that your body continues sending inflammatory cells, even when there is no foreign substance to fight. This overactive immune response—when antibodies mistakenly attack body tissues—can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Regular Dental Checkups Keep Chops in Tip-Top Shape

October 1, 2022

Teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), muscle cramps, dry mouth, cold sores, and calluses are all potential problems for wind musicians, which may be aggravated by performance. Repetitive movement, excessive practice, and stress can cause dental and orofacial problems. It is not uncommon for musicians to experience TMJ, muscle strain, or focal dystonia (failure of […]

Practicing Yoga Makes for Perfect Technique

September 1, 2022

Beyond its physical health benefits, yoga does wonders for stress, concentration, and even performance anxiety. There’s no need for pretzel-like contortions to reap the benefits. Movements are accessible and every pose can be modified for ease and comfort. Performing creates stress, whether onstage or in an audition. Rehearsing for long periods, bending and stretching limbs […]

Don’t Overlook the Obvious: Keep an Eye on Your Vision

July 1, 2022

On average, most people spend over seven hours a day looking at a screen. All that screen time puts them at risk for digital eye strain (DES), a group of problems that include tired eyes and blurred vision. It’s also a typical complaint of professional musicians. The eyes are not meant to repetitively scan the […]

On the Stage or on the Court, Tennis Elbow Causes Pain

June 1, 2022

Tennis players may have earned the title for this painful condition, but tennis elbow is a common problem triggered by a tense grip on any tool or instrument. Combined with repetitive movement, the strain can cause swelling of the tendons that bend the wrist backward, away from the palm. Strenuous overuse, which results in tension […]

Releasing Tension and Becoming Balanced with the Alexander Technique

May 1, 2022

The Alexander Technique addresses inefficient habits of movement and patterns of accumulated tension that interfere with our innate ability to move easily. In his book, Body Learning, Michael J. Gelb notes that the technique itself is difficult to define because it involves a new experience. He says, “It’s like trying to explain music to someone who has never […]

Scents, Smells, and Ventilation in the Workplace

April 1, 2022

When we think of pollution, we think of outdoor air pollution. But most of our exposure to pollutants occurs indoors. For example, air fresheners may emit or cause the formation of numerous substances associated with harmful effects. Claims like “green” and “all natural” on packaging do not have legal or regulatory status.