The Outpatient Rehabilitation Program for Musicians at Princeton Medical Center (PMC) provides musicians with strength and flexibility exercises to alleviate the physical stress caused by the repetitive motion of playing; techniques to reduce tightness and pain; education on injury prevention; and help improving overall strength, agility, and endurance.
“Musicians are athletes, and they experience repetitive motion injuries just like sports athletes,” says Hemangi Shastri, DPT, CHT, CEAS II, a trained musician and a certified hand therapist with PMC. “Long hours of practice, awkward postures, and repetitive motion all have an impact on them over time.”
Treatment begins with an individual evaluation to determine strength, flexibility, posture, and level of pain or discomfort when playing and at rest. After a few sessions, which are covered by insurance, musicians have the tools in place to heal and prevent future injury. Musicians in need of physical therapy can be referred by a physician or contact the program directly.