A Word About Healthcare & Rehabilitation for Injured Musical Keyboardists

Injured musical keyboardists often encounter difficulties in identifying and obtaining appropriate diagnosis and treatment for the various injuries that plague the music world—tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve entrapment or impingement, focal dystonia, thoracic outlet syndrome, myofasciaitis—or even muscle strain, fatigue and non-specific symptoms that impede their practicing and playing.

While the field of Performing Arts Medicine has been actively engaged in education and prevention since the 1970s, obtaining accurate diagnoses and successful treatment continues to elude many injured pianists and organists. At times, surgery or other aggressive medical solutions are given as the only options for recover. Often, other less invasive treatments—including complementary approaches such as acupuncture, trigger-point therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, myofascial therapy, prolotherapy (for hypermobile joints), Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques, etc.—combined with effective retraining strategies might lead to recovery. Additionally, pianists may benefit from using a keyboard better matched to their hand size.

The Lister-Sink Foundation, Inc. strives to help educate injured keyboardists and teachers better to communicate and partner with healthcare professionals who are known to be consistently successful in diagnosing and treating injured pianists and organists. Therefore, when applying for funding from the Foundation for medical treatment—either mainstream or complementary— applicants must give evidence of the credentials and effectiveness of healthcare providers.