Musicians' Clinic

The demands of musical practice and performance can lead to pain as well as dexterity problems.

Injuries related or unrelated to playing can interfere with musicians' ability to play their instruments or resume a desired musical lifestyle.

Medications and brief rest are often not enough to resolve the problem. Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute rehabilitation professionals recognize the importance of specialized medical services for instrumental artists.

The goals of the clinic are making an early, accurate diagnosis, defining a treatment plan and preventing future injury.

Evaluation

An initial examination is performed by a physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine (a physiatrist) with expertise in neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions, overuse or repetitive movement injuries and posture-related problems associated with musical instruments.

Musicians are examined with and without their instruments.

A complete performance history is obtained, including practice and performance schedules, body position and playing techniques.

Other medical specialists, including orthopaedic surgeons and neurologists, who are aware of a musician's challenges, are also available for consultation.

Treatment

Physical and occupational therapy services are prescribed as needed, primarily through Sister Kenny Hand Therapy.

Therapists have years of experience with specific occupational and instrument demands and problems encountered by musicians.

Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• myofascial release, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise
• fabrication of devices to help support and reposition the instrument; modification of instrument and chin rests
• specialized rehabilitation of hand injuries, including splinting to stabilize joints, if needed
• therapies include incorporating instrument use, often with biofeedback and video analysis
• development of graduated warm-up, exercise and practice schedules to allow safe resumption of reasonable playing demands
• education covering problem-solving, practice and playing techniques to prevent re-injury and future problems.

Other services

Additional services through the Musicians' Clinic include:

• social services
• counseling psychology (performance anxiety)
• pool therapy
• nutritional counseling
• integrative medicine (massage, acupuncture, guided imagery)
• speech therapy, including vocal disorders
• therapists experienced with Feldenkreis, Pilates.

Technical advice is available through consultation with Janet Horvath, associate principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra, and author of "Playing (Less) Hurt," as well as other community musicians.

Physician services are provided primarily by Jennine Speier, MD, physiatrist, director of the Musicians' Clinic.

Other physicians of Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Associates will provide services as appropriate.

Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments with them for the initial evaluation and treatment sessions. DVDs of the musician during performance are also useful.