The Athletic Musician: A Guide to Playing without Pain [Paperback]

...a well-written book which offers sound advice...very easy-to-understand primer in body mechanics and anatomy...includes a thoughtful discussion of the psychology of dealing with a playing injury...an excellent resource for developing a safe and sound physical approach to playing... Senza Sordino An excellent book not only for the musician, but for the physiotherapist treating one! Physiotherapy Today ...this work is clearly a labor of love exhibiting a clear intention to make a potent contribution to the prevention of injury among musicians. Strings Combining medical protocol and the musician's view, the authors present ideas for helping musicians prevent and manage injuries...based on research...applicable to players of all musical instruments... Music Educators Journal ...contribution, good gift, and a good resource. Physiotherapy This book can literally save your musical career! Now one can understand where pain comes from and why, but most importantly, one can learn how to get rid of it, or better yet, never get it in the first place! Completely indispensable for every musician and teacher. -- Skye Carman The Athletic Musician is on its way to becoming a required handbook for teachers and performers of music in New Zealand. Since introducing it to many groups here, I've had unfailingly enthusiastic reports...The combination of sound technical information and a cheerful, positive approach by both authors make it an important contribution to the on-going education of musicians as well as other performing artists. -- Pat Reid This is a book that could save careers! Paull and Harrison have pooled their in-depth knowledge and experience to publish a text invaluable to musicians everywhere. And unlike other volumes on the subject, it's a refreshingly easy - at times even hilarious - read! A must for all musicians' libraries! -- Dr. Robert Skelton This is probably the best book of its type. A superb guide to injury prevention for all practical musicians. -- Dr. David Young ...equipped with excellent diagrams, especially notable for presenting anatomical drawings of the human body in the act of performance...a kind of lifestyle manual for musicians...of much help and interest to the performer... Internat'l Society For The Study Of Tension In Performance It addresses an important topic, anatomy is described clearly with simple diagrams, and the recommendations not to play in pain are appropriate. Cmaj

The Athletic Musician is an innovative approach that teaches musicians how to prevent and manage injuries, presented in a unique format that combines sound medical protocol with a musician's point of view. Harrison, a musician, discusses the magnitude of the problem of musicians' injuries with reference to statistical surveys and discusses the emotional and psychological impact of injury on the individual musician. Paull, an orthopedic physiotherapist describes, in layman's terms, the athletic approach to a musician's injuries. Each commonly injured area is examined in turn, from neck, back and shoulder pain to arm, wrist and hand problems. For each area, the anatomy is described, followed by an explanation of what causes the injury and how to avoid or prevent the injury from occurring. Musicians should regard themselves as elite "musical athletes" and protect themselves from injury by following athletic training protocols. The authors present appropriate stretching regimes and postural corrections for both on and off stage, as well as ergonomic changes to instrument and playing positions. The text is amply illustrated with sketches for every exercise and stretch, photographs of musicians demonstrating playing postures, and unique anatomical drawings of musicians. The Athletic Musician presents research-based, scientific material in a format that is relevant, clear, and practical for all musicians. The combination of a medical and musical perspectives makes it an indispensable guide for all musicians and the health care professionals who aspire to help them.

Barbara Paull is a British-trained Registered Physiotherapist who has concentrated on orthopedic physiotherapy in many different clinical settings over 30 years and currently works as consultant, clinician, and lecturer. Christine Harrison is a freelance violinist working in Toronto, Canada. She has performed with various symphonic, chamber, and theatre groups, including work with the Canadian Opera Company and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.