Musician's Injuries and Self-Trigger Point Therapy

A New Zealand medical doctor, Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, has put together a free website full of helpful information for musicians with RSI (repetitive strain injuries) or other injuries from practicing.

I found the videos, free articles and expert interviews extremely interesting, and am gratified to find out how many free self-treatment options there are for musicians.

For Musicians - Tips for Preventing RSI (repetitive strain injuries)

part 1 - preventing musician's injuries
part 2 - preventing musician's injuries

What is a trigger point? (video showing muscles and nerves)

Detailed steps to tending to a trigger point video.

Video on testing a trigger point in your forearm (this really worked for me as a quick tutorial.)

Does trigger point therapy have to hurt?

Trigger Point Finder: interactive anatomical map of human body's trigger points. Very cool; hugely educational.

Myofascial.org click on Symptom checker (more forearm and hand/shoulder diagrams with referred pain and trigger points highlighted where they connect.)

How to stretch your neck easily and simply (especially flutist's neck short on one side, eeek! )video.

How to relax jaw and release jaw tension video.

Also of interest to musicians:

The difference between trigger point pain and tendonitis.

Everyone's need for supplemental vitamin D3: 2000-5000 IU per day for reduction/prevention of pains.

Sign up for free pdf manual with pictures and explanations about trigger points:

I'm so so SO happy when doctors care so much they create websites to help people get the information they need to seek treatment and/or provide their own at-home treatment (after seeing their own doctor, of course!)

Happy pain-free fluting,
Best, Jen

More articles on Flute Arm and Hand Pain and what to do about your posture, practicing, and ergonomics of your instrument.

Think summer..think Denk & Robison

Dear Flute-lovers,

Two of my favourite thing: Paula Robison playing live, because she's so very interesting (!) and one of my favourite pianists, whom I discovered through his hilarious and edifying backstage-reality and "practicing thoughts" blog, Jeremy Denk.

Enjoy flute-dudes!
This is real summer time listening.

Improvisation by Richard Strauss
Jeremy Denk, piano; Paula Robison, flute.



Tambourin Chinois by Fritz Kreisler
Paula Robison, piccolo; Jeremy Denk, piano.



Also, thanks to my pal JP, who sent these links (thanks thanks!) there's an interesting Mozart G Major Concerto.

Mozart G major
Paula Robison, flute.



I'm enjoying the opportunity to read lots of books this summer, and to edit some books, and create some new flute arrangements plus work on my own book.
Sorry for the big delays for all who are waiting.
I'm also practicing, studying perfect pitch, and getting repertoire ready for fall.

How about you?

Comments welcome.

Fellow Denk lovers unite!
ha ha.

Oh, hand me a fruit smoothy, and I'll be quiet now.

ha. :>D
Best, Jen

P.S. The Denk post that started the fannage.

Denk blog interview video.

Free Breathing Masterclass with Pahud

Dear Flute Masterclass Lovers,

I've previously mentioned the great Pahud Masterclass films
at the online company: Play with a Pro.

Well, yesterday they announced a new free film of Pahud and oboist,Schellenberger discussing " Breathing and Blowing "
A great discussion indeed! Well worth downloading and viewing.

Navigating the site of Play-with-a-Pro is a little confusing so here are the steps for those who want to figure it out more quickly than I did at first.

1. Go to www.playwithapro.com and choose BROWSE CATALOGUE to watch short previews of any film (flute, clarinet, oboe etc.)

2. Pahud's films are first in their catalogue and the free breathing video featuring Pahud and the principal oboist of the Berlin Phil, is the first one on upper left.(see my jpeg at top of this post - click to enlarge).

3. Click DOWNLOAD for mac or pc, to download the movie-playing software.

4. When software is downloaded, it will appear as a PlaywithaPro icon on your desktop. Close your browser, and now open the black desktop icon.

5. Choose BROWSE CATALOGUE from desktop icon, and find Free Breathing and Blowing Film. It is marked $0.0 in price.

6. Now here comes the strange part: Click on Pay with Credit Card on lower right. Yes, it is free, but this is the only button that starts the download, strangely enough.

7. The download of 212 mb film will start, and take about 16 minutes. (make a sandwich, brew some tea...)

8. You can view the film multiple times by clicking on it again from the desktop icon's menu(the main website only plays a preview version.)

Enjoy, discuss, comment! (comment button below)
I just loved knowing that what I've been teaching about breathing for 20 years is correct and as Schellenberger says, not often taught.
This is great information all around. Love these films!
Best, Jen