Musicians’ Tendinitis
Musical Instrument Induced Tendinitis Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C. 48+ Years Chiropractic/Tendinitis Treatment Specialist
by Dr. Edward G. Holtman, D.C.
April 6, 2009

Guitar, violin, and piano players will often develop tendinitis to the extent that they might not be able to publicly perform. I’ve had the opportunity to treat many guitarists and pianists. One particularly memorable case was that of a pianist who regularly “sits in” with one of the Philadelphia symphony orchestras. She called me and stated that she could no longer practice the lengthy hours each day because of finger pain. This of course, threatened her job with the Philadelphia Symphony.

She began my home-self therapy treatment and shortly thereafter was able to resume her regular pianist routine. Many other musicians have responded favorably to our treatment method as well.

The cause of tendinitis in musicians is over-use of the involved muscles and tendons. It can affect the fingers, wrists, and elbows (rarely the shoulders). So, it makes little difference which instrument is being played, the cause is still the same.

Very interesting is the fact that age of the individual or duration of the tendinitis is not a factor (as it is with many diseases). I have treated 80 year olds and people who have had tendinitis for 25 years, and they respond equally well, because in the case of the mature person, he or she doesn’t have to return to a job that demands repetitive use of the muscles and tendons. In the case of the 25 year tendinitis, normally there is no degeneration of the muscles and the tendons. So, as long as these structures are intact, results will be fine.