This spring my shoulder started hurting. I have had this feeling before and worked through it but this time it wasn’t changing. As the pain persisted over several weeks, I knew it was time to seek help.
Coming to the decision to get help was not easy, because I am supposed to know how to take care of my body. I was also fearful (frightened is a more accurate word) that something was really wrong with my shoulder, a tear in the rotator cuff? It is important for me to recognize my limits, and this was beyond my scope.
It just so happened that my daughter had seen a fantastic physician in Boston and was recommended to physical therapy. This physician was very specific about the PT she sent my daughter to. (For musicians and artists who make their living moving, this is wise advice! Heck it is wise advice for anyone because we need to move to live!) As I observed the PT, I realized that the practice looked at the whole body and had eyes on movement quality. Sign me up!
I bring my Body Mapping and teaching experience to every session, and guess what? This is a learning opportunity for me. Sessions give me the opportunity to dive deeper into my understanding of movement and the body’s design. For instance, I didn’t know that the long head of the bicep becomes part of the labrum on the shoulder joint. WOW!
This isn’t simply doing what the PT says, I want to own the experience, take it into life. I pick the practitioner’s brain to clarify my understanding, I speak up! This has enhanced my healing process, (which is coming along.) Sets and reps aren’t mindless, they are retraining, refining movement which informs playing movement.
If you encounter discomfort or pain, seek help early. Be sure you are working with a physician/PT/OT who has experience working with musicians and be sure they take a holistic look at your movement and answer your questions so you can understand.
A great way to build your foundation of understanding of movement in your playing (and life) is to take a Body Mapping course or lesson, read a book, begin to inquire into movement as you play. The same information that will contribute to playing wellness, elevates expression. What have you got to lose?
Be curious…
Summer Opportunities to Learn about Movement and Build Understanding
Body Mapping + Primal Spiral Movement at New England Conservatory
August 9, 13 & 15. Nine Hours of Playing Movement MOJO!
Virtual Drop-In Classes for Musicians
Tuesdays 3pm
Body Mapping for EveryBODY
Fridays 11am