Osteopathy and the Pianist
By Dr Justine Garnes
A TIP FROM DR JUSTINE – Dr Justine Garnes is an Osteopath with a love for treating musicians, performing artists and dancers.
“Eye line – Your line of sight should always be looking down to the piano sheet music, NEVER up. This will avoid neck pain, tension and headaches in the future.”
Whatever the instrument you play your body can adapt. However, being a pianist myself, I started to experience increasing discomfort whilst I performed. The odd twinge became more frequent and something wasn’t feeling quite right when I played.
I began playing the piano at the age of 9, and by my teenage years during piano lessons my left neck/shoulder and the middle of my back would become painful and achey. This continued and worsened as I got older but I shrugged it off as ‘normal’ and just ‘got on with it’.
It was only in 2010, after having my Osteopath assess my spine did I realise this was due to my scoliosis (curved spine) which I had developed from a young age and, to my relief, was something that could be improved with Osteopathic treatment.
Due to the bend in my spine whilst sitting my left shoulder is forced to rise to the same level as the right to maintain a horizontal eye level. The scoliosis causes my left trapezius, scalenes and sternocleidomastoid to constantly contract and tighten when I play the piano. This results in inflammation of my 1st left rib leading to neck and shoulder pain.
Since my osteopathic analysis and treatment I have been able to adjust my scoliosis and realign my spine. This dramatically reduced the discomfort I experience while playing and I now feel much more comfortable and natural playing the piano.
To book appointments:
Phone: 03 9908 2844
Mobile (Text/SMS): 0421 087 564
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday 7:30am-9pm
Saturday from 7:30am
Please feel free to call Middle Park Osteo for an appointment or any questions about our osteo clinic in St Kilda West.
