Have Healthy Habits
Britsch says that one big cause of trouble is failing to warm up properly before practice or performance. Another, especially among college students, is practicing too much. “Injuries happen when there’s a sudden increase of practice. Students don’t work their way into it and [instead] just plunge into practice before a recital,” she says.

Britsch says that many music teachers who’ve never dealt with pain themselves aren’t sure how to spot problems in their students and offer help. One teacher who definitely is up on the subject is Judith Palac, one of Britsch’s professors at Michigan State University. Healthy music habits have become one of her specialties.

“The first thing you have to do to avoid injury,” Palac says, “is develop healthy habits overall. Some musical kids tend to be bookish and don’t get out and do sports, but sports can be great for musicians.

“Swimming is best, because it’s not only a cardiovascular exercise, it also increases strength and flexibility by stretching. It’s also a tension reducer, and it’s about the least dangerous sport. You can’t really hurt yourself swimming, unless you drown.”

Palac says you don’t have to get involved in the usual jock activities if you don’t want to. “Fencing, ballroom dancing, anything that gets the heart rate up and gets you toned up is helpful,” she says. Avoid volleyball, though; that’s dangerous to the fingers. Weight lifting isn’t the best idea, either, she says, especially if it’s done for body building rather than general toning.

“Weight lifting for body building shortens and thickens the muscle fibers,” she points out.

“For music-making, you want muscle fibers to lengthen, to support better movement and increase flexibility.”