{"id":20673,"date":"2023-07-01T08:24:02","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T13:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20673"},"modified":"2023-08-31T08:49:33","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T13:49:33","slug":"understanding-hand-disorders-a-guide-for-musicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/understanding-hand-disorders-a-guide-for-musicians\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Hand Disorders: A Guide for Musicians"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Music is undeniably powerful. Artists across the globe regularly move thousands of fans in packed stadiums to tears with their powerful ballads. Playing an instrument can even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/how-playing-an-instrument-affects-your-physical-and-mental-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">benefit your mental and physical health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by reducing blood pressure and heart rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, avid musicians may experience hand injuries and nerve issues as a result of practicing their instruments. Depending on the instrument you play, you might develop carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist sprains or tendonitis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On average, the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders ranges from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/1753193420912644\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37% to 47% of active musicians<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which increases to 89% throughout their lifetimes. Pain from overuse is common and might be part of almost every musician&#8217;s life at some point. However, you can still embrace your love of music while protecting your hands and nerves. Learn more about common hand disorders in musicians and how to treat and prevent them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the different types of hand disorders that musicians can experience?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your hands are a remarkably complex part of your body. A combination of bones, muscles, nerves and joints work together to move your fingers and wrists, which allows you to play your instruments. Unfortunately, this also means that there are several disorders that can occur. Potential sources of hand pain include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Overuse syndromes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Repetitive movements like strumming a guitar can wear out your hands. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11494843\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of these syndromes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include sprains and tendonitis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Entrapment neuropathies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Nerves can be pinched or compressed, which can send pain signals to the brain. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emedicine.medscape.com\/article\/249784-overview\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">form of nerve entrapment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focal dystonias<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This condition causes your nerves to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/focal-dystonia-7153192\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spasm or stiffen unexpectedly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Joint hypermobility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: While <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/illnesses-and-conditions\/muscle-bone-and-joints\/conditions\/joint-hypermobility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">joint hypermobility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides musicians with a large range of motion, it can also lead to fatigue and a higher risk of injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Thoracic outlet syndrome<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This syndrome causes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/thoracic-outlet-syndrome\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain, numbness and tingling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in your hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s clear how the joints, nerves and muscles have their own hand disorders that can make playing uncomfortable \u2014 if not impossible.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What entrapment neuropathies impact musicians?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your body communicates with the brain through a series of nerves that run down the spinal cord and out to your extremities. Entrapment neuropathies occur when these nerves become compressed, which can either cause them to send constant pain signals to your brain or prevent them from sending signals at all \u2014 leading to a feeling of numbness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few common conditions related to entrapment neuropathies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is carpal tunnel syndrome?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carpal tunnel is when the nerve that runs from your forearm to your palm <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">becomes entrapped at your wrist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Musicians often develop carpal tunnel from repetitive motions of the wrist or practicing incorrectly with poor technique. Playing while injured can also worsen this condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carpal tunnel symptoms include feelings of numbness or swollen hands and fingers. While this is an environmental condition, research shows some musicians might be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/is-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-genetic#is-it-genetic\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more genetically prone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to developing carpal tunnel over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is cubital tunnel syndrome?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK538259\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cubital tunnel syndrome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has the same causes as carpal tunnel, except the main nerve that is affected is located in the elbow. The pain feels similar to when you hit your ulnar nerve, commonly known as your funny bone. This condition occurs in people who regularly pull and lift their elbows a lot like drummers and cello or bass players.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms include hand pain, pain in the elbow or a weak grip. Even though this is an elbow-based injury, symptoms can affect the hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is thoracic outlet syndrome?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This occurs when the nerves around your collarbone are compressed and can lead to numbness or tingling in your fingers or pain in your hand. This is because the nerves struggle to communicate effectively between the brain and the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/thoracicoutletsyndrome.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be caused by trauma like a car accident or through repetitive motions. TOS can cause a weakened grip, which can prevent musicians from playing their instruments or even holding them effectively. The pain caused by this nerve compression can also prevent musicians from comfortably playing, to the point where some people can\u2019t rehearse at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do focal dystonias impact musicians?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3691509\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pianists, guitarists and violinists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are more frequently affected by focal dystonia. However, this condition can make playing almost any instrument difficult. Involuntary contractions or spasms can cause musicians to make mistakes while rehearsing and could potentially ruin a performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What overuse syndromes impact musicians?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overuse can create sore hands and make musicians more prone to additional disorders. You might get worn out when rehearsing faster because your hands can\u2019t handle the repetitive motions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is tendonitis?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/tendonitis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tendonitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great example of a condition that forms because of overuse. You might feel pain at the location of the tendon, notice swelling in your hands or experience a grating feeling when you move them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oftentimes, rest is one of the best forms of treatment for overuse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does osteoarthritis impact musicians?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Osteoarthritis is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/arthritis\/basics\/osteoarthritis.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most common form of arthritis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Patients often report pain, swelling or stiffness in their hands, which makes moving them difficult. When a musician is having an arthritis flare-up, they might not be able to practice at all because handling the instrument is too painful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers are exploring the connection between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arthritis.org\/health-wellness\/healthy-living\/emotional-well-being\/anxiety-depression\/arthritis-and-mental-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arthritis and mental health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It has been demonstrated that arthritis may make it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities like playing an instrument and can lead to depression, hopelessness and even higher levels of anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does joint hypermobility affect musicians?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At first glance, hypermobility might seem like a good thing for musicians because of the added range and flexibility. However, this condition also has several <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/hypermobility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unwanted side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Musicians might experience muscle stiffness, fatigue and increased sprains. People with this condition are also more likely to sustain other hand-related injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can musicians prevent hand injuries?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t have to give up your passions to have healthy hands. You can continue playing regularly and without pain by taking on a few healthy habits. Here are a few steps to implement into your daily routine.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Warm up<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Loosen your hands and stretch your muscles before diving into rehearsal. There are often <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/fretboard-calisthenics-warm-up-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instrument-specific warm-ups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can apply to your routine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Take breaks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Rest your hands by taking a break from your instrument. These include small breaks during rehearsal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Healthy diet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Make sure your diet is high in protein, iron, fruits and vegetables. Also, bring water with you to drink while you practice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Build strength<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Consider building up your hand muscles to protect your bones and joints.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Practice body awareness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Consider your posture and how you hold your instrument. Poor form can lead to injuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Consult with a certified hand therapist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These professionals can help you improve your hand care so you can continue playing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Several small steps, like adding warm-ups to your routine and drinking more water, can add up and allow you to keep your hands healthy.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How are hand injuries diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnosis always starts with a discussion. Tell your doctor about your symptoms, when they occur and how you treat them \u2014 the more details the better. Based on this information, your doctor will either provide a diagnosis or request a series of tests to confirm their theories. Here are a few tests you can expect.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Physical exam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Your doctor will feel your hand, move your fingers and confirm where your pain is and what causes it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>X-Ray<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/procedure\/x-ray-251\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X-ray<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a pain-free way to take a picture of your bones and joints.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>MRI<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/doctors\/mri-centers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides a clear picture of every organ. This test is used to look at soft tissue.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nerve tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Your doctor might also recommend various nerve tests like an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/procedure\/electromyograph-emg-2542\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">electromyography (EMG)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> exam. This evaluates the condition of your muscles and nerve cells.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your doctor might only request one test or they might want you to have multiple in order to rule out various conditions. You might not have just one hand disorder, but rather multiple problems at once.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment for musicians\u2019 injuries<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think you are developing one of the conditions discussed in this guide or another music-related hand disorder, meet with a doctor to discuss your injuries. Early intervention is always ideal to prevent a condition from becoming severe. With the help of a medical professional, you can learn how to reduce your symptoms and prevent further damage to your hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who treats hand injuries?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first person to turn to, if you experience hand or wrist pain, is your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/primary-care-doctors\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">primary care doctor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They should be able to diagnose the issue and recommend a treatment plan. Additionally, they might recommend visiting a sports medicine physician, which is someone who specializes in helping athletes and other professionals perform at their best.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might not immediately associate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/sports-medicine-specialists\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sports medicine specialists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with music, but these medical experts can help you train your body in a healthy way to withstand regular instrument playing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, your medical team might recommend visiting a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/physical-therapists\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical therapist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to develop a series of stretches and exercises to support your hand muscles. Your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/what-to-expect-from-physical-therapy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical therapy appointment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will include a mixture of on-site exercises to strengthen your hands and tutorials for exercises you should complete on your own at home. The right therapist can give you the tools to help your hands heal now and to protect them in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along with stretches and exercises, your medical team might recommend medications to treat your hand conditions. They will either recommend painkillers or anti-inflammatory prescriptions to reduce the swelling around your joints. In most cases, your doctor might start with a basic over-the-counter medication but could write a prescription if the first course of action isn\u2019t effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another option is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279598\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">corticosteroid injection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which contains a numbing medicine to reduce your discomfort. These injections are often used to treat tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. Results will vary by patient. Some people only need one injection while other patients might need multiple.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conservative treatments<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor will likely recommend a series of treatments that address your hand disorder. Painkillers alone won\u2019t necessarily solve the problem in the long term. Along with a mixture of medication and physical therapy exercises, here are a few additional treatments your doctor will suggest.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Ice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cold therapy like the use of an ice pack can reduce inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Heat therapy can help relax your muscles. Some doctors recommend a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacksythyme.com\/blogs\/blog\/carpal-tunnel-treatment-with-hot-and-cold-therapy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">combination of hot and cold therapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to treat sore hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Splints<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These devices hold your hands in place so they can heal.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is often the hardest treatment for musicians to follow \u2014 especially if they are passionate about their craft. You might have to limit how often you play in the short run.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The effectiveness of these conservative treatments is almost entirely in your control. You can decide how closely you follow your doctor\u2019s orders.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgical treatments<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your hand disorder becomes severe, your doctor might recommend surgical intervention. This is usually after you try a course of medication and various conservative treatments. Here are a few options they might consider.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Hand surgery for arthritis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Your doctor might recommend an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/tests-and-treatments\/surgical-procedures\/arthroscopy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arthroscopy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the doctor smoothes rough spots and removes cysts and bone fragments, or an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/arthroplasty-overview-4582355\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arthroplasty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where they replace the joint with an artificial model.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hand surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/002976.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">carpal tunnel release<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the surgeon cuts the ligament that puts pressure on the carpal tunnel, which creates more room for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hand surgery for ganglion cysts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Your doctor can either <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/ganglion-cyst-removal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drain the cyst or surgically remove it<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hand surgery for tendon problems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You might be a candidate for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/tests-and-treatments\/surgical-procedures\/hand-tendon-repair\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tendon repair<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which can be done under regional or general anesthetic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are multiple surgical procedures for almost any hand disorder. Your surgeon should go over your options, share their recommendations, and allow you to make the best decision for your needs.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recovering from hand disorders<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of whether your treatment involves basic cold therapy or intensive surgery, your doctor will likely take a long-term view of your hand health. They want you to recover fully but also want you to avoid future injuries and flare-ups because of poor practice habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you follow their care instructions carefully and continue to practice any physical therapy exercises or stretches your surgeon recommends. Also, talk to your doctor as soon as the pain returns. This could be a sign that the initial treatment or operation was ineffective.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional medical resources for musicians<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also follow additional resources for staying healthy as a musician. Here, you can find medicines that may alleviate common musician injuries, treatments, and ways to prevent the development of certain conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/artsmed.org\/\"><b>Performing Arts Medicine Association<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> PAMA is a great community to follow for the education, research, and networking of musicians.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bapam.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/BAPAM-Factsheet-Warm-Ups-Dont-Cramp-Your-Style-2020.pdf\"><b>British Association for Performing Arts Medicine<\/b><\/a><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> BAPAM provides a great resource of warm-up exercises for the whole body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entertainmentcommunity.org\/services-and-programs\/artists-health-insurance-resource-center\"><b>Entertainment Community Fund<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their Artist Health Insurance Resource Center is a comprehensive collection of informational assets for Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance for musicians.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejwf.org\/\"><b>The Jeremy Wilson Foundation<\/b><\/a><b>: <\/b><span>JWF supports anyone in the music industry who struggles with financing their healthcare needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Need a doctor? Find one on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/\">Zocdoc<\/a>.<\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Music is undeniably powerful. Artists across the globe regularly move thousands of fans in packed stadiums to tears with their powerful ballads. Playing an instrument can even benefit your mental and physical health by reducing blood pressure and heart rates. Unfortunately, avid musicians may experience hand injuries and nerve issues as a result of practicing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":20674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Understanding Hand Disorders: A Guide for Musicians - Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Musicians who play almost any instrument are at risk for developing hand disorders caused by overuse or improper form. Learn how these disorders are diagnosed, treated and prevented so you can continue playing your favorite pieces.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/understanding-hand-disorders-a-guide-for-musicians\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding Hand Disorders: A Guide for Musicians - Guides\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Musicians who play almost any instrument are at risk for developing hand disorders caused by overuse or improper form. 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