The Risks of Musicianship

by Jennifer Smith
(CA)

Most people would not categorize playing the piano as an activity with many risks or dangers, though those of us who play, know that this is not true. Tendonitis of the thumb and wrist creeps up on pianists just as much as is does anyone else who extensively uses their hands in their profession.

I began to feel the dreaded symptoms one November, as I was preparing for finals at school. As a music major, that usually means more practicing. Unfortunately for me, the combination of overworked muscles and tendons as well as cold weather created a recipe for disaster. It became painful to move my left thumb and wrist and my range of motion was very limited. After pushing through the pain, swelling set in, and I knew I had to stop to rest my wrist.

I took a month off a playing while treating the area with hot and cold packs, massage, and a compression brace. Slowly, it began to be less painful to move my thumb and eventually the swelling went away. Lastly, my flexibility returned and the pain ceased.