听Injuries of repetition such as tendonitis can hamper musician performance and shorten careers.
听James Brody founded the Musicians鈥� Wellness Program in 2003 to teach young musicians to treat and prevent injuries.
听The Alexander Technique鈥攁 method of releasing tension through adjustments to posture and movement鈥攃an be a useful approach for musicians and desk workers alike.
You don鈥檛 often think of musicians being at risk for career-ending injuries.
While musicians don鈥檛 typically have to worry about reckless tackles and torn ligaments, repetitive motions and improper technique can take their own toll.
That鈥檚 why CU Boulder鈥檚 College of Music is leading the charge to treat and鈥攎ore importantly鈥攖o prevent injuries to musicians.
James Brody, an associate professor of oboe, founded the Musicians鈥� Wellness Program in 2003 to help students avoid or recover from injuries of repetition. CU Boulder was among the first universities to offer a music wellness program, according to Brody.
He sees more than 100 CU Boulder students annually. Those with injuries, such as tendonitis or vocal cord dysfunction, can meet with him for individual consultations. Others are introduced to the program through academic credit courses.
鈥淲hen [injury] occurs, often the musician will try harder instead of observing habitual behavior and altering maladaptive patterns,鈥� said Brody.
To combat this tendency, the Musicians鈥� Wellness Program leans heavily on the Alexander Technique鈥攁 method of releasing tension through adjustments to posture and movement based on body awareness.
Brody is a believer. He adopted the technique himself while recovering from a car accident in his early 20s.
For a music professor, Brody鈥檚 office is littered with some unconventional instruments: yoga balls, mats, mirrors and one life-size model human skeleton. These are his tools for teaching students to be intentional in their movements and aware of the long-term costs of poor form.
Brody also refers his students to a network of on-campus physicians, physical therapists and counselors.
Unaddressed injuries can hamper performance and even end careers. They can also compromise a musician鈥檚 sense of identity.
鈥淢usic students lead complicated lives,鈥� said Brody. 鈥淲hat they do is tied very closely with their vision of themselves.鈥�
Brody hopes his program鈥檚 holistic approach to wellness can help his students look forward to long, and healthy, careers.
