Specialist Hand Therapy for Musicians
Hand & Upper Limb Rehab for Musicians
As a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) I provide personalised Hand Therapy and Upper Limb Rehab for musicians in Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole. There are a number of conditions that musicians are prone to. You can be confident that I have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat them.
As a musician, your hands are your most valuable asset. Playing a musical instrument can be physically demanding. Whether you are a hobbyist, professional or music teacher, maintaining the health and dexterity of your hands is essential for your craft. That is where Hand Therapy comes in.
CHT’s have the specialist skills needed to evaluate musicians by identifying the root cause of their symptoms to guide comprehensive treatment. My work concentrates on helping musicians to keep their hands in top condition. I hold years of advanced experience treating musicians at all levels.
Over the years, I have worked directly with guitarists, pianists, drummers, violinists, flautists and many other musicians. Those who play brass, woodwind and folk instruments also frequently walk through my door.
Conditions Affecting Musicians
Due to the demands, instrumental musicians are at risk of developing various musculoskeletal conditions. The most common complaints are reported in the shoulder, arm or hand. They can include:Trigger Thumb & Trigger Finger
A locking thumb or finger can get in the way of a musician’s efficiency and fluidity. A Hand Therapist can identify the severity of your triggering and prescribe the best treatment options to optimise your performance.
Carpal Tunnel & Cubital Tunnel
These peripheral nerve compression syndromes affecting the upper limb can cause numbness, burning, pins & needles or tingling in your hand(s). Hand Therapy will aim to optimise median or ulnar nerve function in the upper limb, thus getting rid of such symptoms.
Focal Dystonia
Hand dystonia is also known as “musician’s cramp”. It is a focal dystonia characterised by excessive and involuntary muscle contractions in the fingers, hand, forearm and sometimes the shoulder. Hand Therapy goals include symptom improvement and restoring normal movement patterns.
Tendonitis & Tenosynovitis
Tendonitis and tenosynovitis are associated with overuse in and around tendons. Lingering pain and eventual loss of tendon strength can affect your ability to play, perform, arrange or teach music in the longer term.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
TOS is one of the most controversial topics in musculoskeletal medicine and rehabilitation. It is widely accepted that upper limb rehabilitation should be the first strategy to treat TOS since it is effective at decreasing symptoms.
Arthritis
There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. Hand Therapy can help preserve joint function, mobility and quality of life by swiftly getting you back to playing your instrument.