The violin places the wrist at sustained pressure, and this can result in wrist injury. This is why some violinists use a violin wrist aid in an attempt to prevent these injuries and make their playing easier.
A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is not uncommon among musicians, and happens to players of practically any instrument. It happens when the same specific motion is repeated many times through a sustained period of time, such as weeks or even months. The accumulated effect on the area in use is that the soft tissue (ligaments, tendons and muscles) becomes swollen and painful, and loses movement ability.
RSI are insipid - they develop over time without obvious symptoms. The sudden onset of pain, swelling and loss of movement is not easy to predict. The musician may have no prior awareness of impending injury. But because it has taken so long to develop, it also takes a long time to subside, so they may suddenly be unable to practise properly for an extended period.
The wrist is especially susceptible to RSI. Explaining this statement requires a brief description of the wrist's internal structure. The hand's palm is formed by bones known as the metacarpals. These are joined on one end to the carpals, or bones of the wrist, which are in turn connected to the two long forearm bones. The carpals are small, block-like bones that are massed together and connected securely by inflexible ligaments.
The carpal arrangement makes the extensive rotational movement by the hand possible. But there is a problem associated with this where the hand is constantly used for a specific motion or activity. The ligaments between the carpals sometimes become swollen and painful, and this limits the movement of the hand.
The technique of violin playing places the violinist at a heightened risk of RSI in their wrist. A ligament cannot be stretched or alter its shape, like muscles and tendons can. Accumulated stress can therefore cause an injury to it. Ligaments have poor circulation, so they take a long time to heal or grow. This is also because their structure is extremely tough, much more so than other tissues. Tendinitis is the name of the condition that arises where a tendon is inflamed. This, too, is not rare among musicians, and not only those who specialize in the violin.
Once injured, the violinist is unable to play without pain. They also have limited motion in the affected hand and wrist. Their playing not only becomes painful, but they are also unable to perform to the same standard.
Devoted musicians may argue that they should continue playing, regardless of pain or discomfort. But this is not as laudable as it may sound. An RSI becomes worse through continued performance of the original problematic exercise. It needs time to heal, and if it has no opportunity to do so, it may become more serious or even result in permanent damage to the affected tissue. In other words, the musician may never recover entirely. Those carrying such injuries should therefore consult a medical practitioner without hesitation and organize a rest interval in their practise routine.
A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is not uncommon among musicians, and happens to players of practically any instrument. It happens when the same specific motion is repeated many times through a sustained period of time, such as weeks or even months. The accumulated effect on the area in use is that the soft tissue (ligaments, tendons and muscles) becomes swollen and painful, and loses movement ability.
RSI are insipid - they develop over time without obvious symptoms. The sudden onset of pain, swelling and loss of movement is not easy to predict. The musician may have no prior awareness of impending injury. But because it has taken so long to develop, it also takes a long time to subside, so they may suddenly be unable to practise properly for an extended period.
The wrist is especially susceptible to RSI. Explaining this statement requires a brief description of the wrist's internal structure. The hand's palm is formed by bones known as the metacarpals. These are joined on one end to the carpals, or bones of the wrist, which are in turn connected to the two long forearm bones. The carpals are small, block-like bones that are massed together and connected securely by inflexible ligaments.
The carpal arrangement makes the extensive rotational movement by the hand possible. But there is a problem associated with this where the hand is constantly used for a specific motion or activity. The ligaments between the carpals sometimes become swollen and painful, and this limits the movement of the hand.
The technique of violin playing places the violinist at a heightened risk of RSI in their wrist. A ligament cannot be stretched or alter its shape, like muscles and tendons can. Accumulated stress can therefore cause an injury to it. Ligaments have poor circulation, so they take a long time to heal or grow. This is also because their structure is extremely tough, much more so than other tissues. Tendinitis is the name of the condition that arises where a tendon is inflamed. This, too, is not rare among musicians, and not only those who specialize in the violin.
Once injured, the violinist is unable to play without pain. They also have limited motion in the affected hand and wrist. Their playing not only becomes painful, but they are also unable to perform to the same standard.
Devoted musicians may argue that they should continue playing, regardless of pain or discomfort. But this is not as laudable as it may sound. An RSI becomes worse through continued performance of the original problematic exercise. It needs time to heal, and if it has no opportunity to do so, it may become more serious or even result in permanent damage to the affected tissue. In other words, the musician may never recover entirely. Those carrying such injuries should therefore consult a medical practitioner without hesitation and organize a rest interval in their practise routine.
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