Case studies of organists diagnosed with overuse injuries
出版項
2004
說明
1 online resource (161 pages)
文字
text
無媒介
computer
成冊
online resource
附註
Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 66-01, Section: A
Publisher info.: Dissertation/Thesis
Advisor: Marshall, Kimberly
Thesis (D.M.A.)--Arizona State University, 2004
Includes bibliographical references
This research paper focuses on common types of cumulative physical trauma sustained by highly trained organists. Personal case histories are presented, revealing quests for cures and the outcomes of various therapies and body movement re-education techniques. Injury prevention, which is key, is also highlighted. Like athletes, musicians refine their physical movements until playing seems effortless. The degree of effort may seem minimal to the casual observer, but often the cumulative trauma sustained on body joints and soft tissues during practice can have disastrous consequences. It is perhaps the musician herself who is unaware of the importance of keeping physical condition at an optimum level for practice and performance on an instrument. Overuse injuries among organists can be caused by particular ergonomic characteristics inherent to the instrument. The organ is a unique instrument because of its multiple keyboards, pedal board, historical diversity, and disparities in layout and design. Among the organists interviewed for this research project, a correlation was shown between poor organ actions and injury. These differences can create physical problems for the organist that are not an issue with other keyboard instruments. In order for the organist to practice and play without injury, these special qualities should be understood and regarded as additional risk factors. There are several determining factors of injury depending on the part of the body that is being overused or misused, the unique health and physiology of the person, and psychological considerations. Since the genesis of music medicine in 1983 there has been scarce literature addressing the organ separately from the piano. This paper summarizes the extant literature on medical injuries among keyboard musicians and differentiates the organ in critical ways. It is hoped that the personal histories presented herein may not only help others find solutions to their own existing injuries by choosing the appropriate therapy but may also serve to avoid injury altogether
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest, 2021
