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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Musicians’ medicine – potential health problems among violinists and violists caused by playing the string instrument – the review of the literature
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  4. Review Articles

Musicians’ medicine – potential health problems among violinists and violists caused by playing the string instrument – the review of the literature

Authors

  • Gabriela Ręka Students’ Scientific Association of Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9728-5281
  • Piotr Machowiec Students’ Scientific Association of Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5418-0110
  • Marcela Maksymowicz Students’ Scientific Association of Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2611-1609
  • Halina Piecewicz-Szczęsna Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0573-7226

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2021.11.12.020

Keywords

health, overuse injury, nerve entrapments, muscle pain, string instrument

Abstract

Introduction and purpose

            Musicians' medicine has received increasing attention recently. It is known that listening to music or playing an instrument has beneficial effects on cognitive and neural functions. Playing the string instrument demands repetitive precise movements of fingers and arms in a non-ergonomic posture that might give rise to health problems.

The study aims to present the current state of knowledge regarding different potential health problems among violinists and violists. The article reviews the 24 newest scientific publications available on PubMed and Google Scholar.

A brief description of the state of knowledge

            The literature review indicated several potential health consequences of excessive playing the violin or viola, as follows: Fiddler's neck and skin allergy, Garrod’s pads, temporomandibular disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, compression of the right ulnar nerve in the ulnar (Guyon's) canal, rotator cuff tendonitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, focal dystonia, thoracic outlet syndrome, bone asymmetry, pain in the neck, cheeks, fingers, wrist, forearm, shoulder, waist, and the back.

Conclusions

            Musicians should be aware of potential health problems that occur during prolonged playing the violin or the viola. An important issue is maintaining the accurate proportions between the amount of time spent playing the instrument and resting. The first signs of neurological or musculoskeletal changes should prompt the musician to seek professional medical help to prevent the disorder's progression.

References

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Lee HS, Park HY, Yoon JO, Kim JS, Chun JM, Aminata IW, Cho WJ, Jeon IH. Musicians' medicine: musculoskeletal problems in string players. Clin Orthop Surg. 2013;5(3):155-60. doi: 10.4055/cios.2013.5.3.155.

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Published

2021-12-22

How to Cite

1.
RĘKA, Gabriela, MACHOWIEC, Piotr, MAKSYMOWICZ, Marcela & PIECEWICZ-SZCZĘSNA, Halina. Musicians’ medicine – potential health problems among violinists and violists caused by playing the string instrument – the review of the literature. Journal of Education, Health and Sport [online]. 22 December 2021, T. 11, nr 12, s. 273–279. [accessed 21.3.2023]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2021.11.12.020.
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Vol. 11 No. 12 (2021)

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Review Articles

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