Musculoskeletal Health for Musicians

Sofia Ossa, Writer • February 10, 2026

What is musculoskeletal health?

According to the World Health Organisation, musculoskeletal health refers to “the performance of the locomotor system, comprising intact muscles, bones, joints and adjacent connective tissues.” Having good musculoskeletal health means that your muscular and skeletal systems are functioning effectively and efficiently. Musculoskeletal conditions affect these body systems and affect many people worldwide. According to Global Burden of Disease 2019 data, approximately 1.71 billion people globally suffer from these conditions. Some examples of musculoskeletal conditions are chronic primary back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures, strains, sprains, tendonitis, and fibromyalgia.

Why is musculoskeletal health important for musicians?

Though its importance may be more evident for athletes, maintaining good musculoskeletal health is equally crucial for musicians. Musculoskeletal damage could be devastating for one’s musical career. For example, a hand or arm injury could render many musicians unable to practice their craft. Even an impairment of the lower body, such as the legs, could prevent a pianist from using the pedals effectively, which are also an essential part of playing the instrument.

While some musculoskeletal conditions or injuries may not completely disable a musician from playing, they can still significantly affect performance, practice, stamina, and cause pain. As a pianist, I have experienced this first-hand. A lower-body and finger injury affected my practice since the whole body is involved in making music. However, this experience allowed me to understand the importance of maintaining good musculoskeletal health. Another example of this can be found in string players. Research shows that violinists and violists often must position themselves at awkward angles to play, which is typically unavoidable. This may cause musculoskeletal conditions that cause the musician pain and inconvenience while practising or performing. While some musculoskeletal conditions are unavoidable, there are many ways to keep others at bay.

How can I avoid musculoskeletal conditions?

There are many good habits that musicians can use to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal conditions. One common tip is prioritising warm-ups. According to a 2023 article in the National Library of Medicine, warm-ups help with neuromuscular activation and raising body temperature. They also aid in mental preparation and improve readiness for the tasks ahead. Before practicing more intense pieces, start with something simple, such as scales, arpeggios, a finger stretch or exercise, or a piece at a slow, easy tempo. This will help your muscles warm up before practice and reduce fatigue or the risk of potential injury.

Something else that helps during practice is using other muscles for stability. Before practice, do exercises to activate and engage your core and lower body muscles. When practising, focus on using your abdominal, gluteal, and leg muscles to ground your body towards the floor and centre yourself stably so that your arms and fingers are free to move with better strength and agility. Experiment to find exercises that activate these muscles best for you and do them before practising.

Thirdly, always take breaks while practising. According to Michigan State University, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), taking a 10-minute break out of every hour of practice is recommended for healthy musicians. This break allows your muscles to rest briefly between intense practice. Try to do some stretches and drink a glass of water during these breaks.

Lastly, remember to always maintain good posture and technique. You can speak to your music teacher or another expert for advice on posture and technique for your specific instrument. When you put it into practice, you should not feel any tension in your body and be able to play strongly and with control. Using the correct posture helps to avoid potentially forcing your muscles, bones and joints into awkward positions.

Can good musculoskeletal health improve performance?

Maintaining good musculoskeletal health not only reduces the risk of injuries and other conditions but also improves musical performance. When we use other muscles in our body to stabilise ourselves, our arms and fingers are naturally able to accomplish more and execute better. When our musculoskeletal health is under control, we can also focus on interpretation and playing accurately without pain. This can cause tension in our body while playing leads to a forced tone, lack of technical proficiency, slips and mistakes, and compromises interpretation and musical expression. Maintaining good musculoskeletal health by following the steps mentioned earlier will help to reduce this tension.

How does performance stress impact musculoskeletal health?

Stress and nerves from performances are unavoidable in the life of a musician. Large audiences and high stakes are some of the main causes, and these are challenges that all musicians must face. These may cause tension in the body and thus increase the risk of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries if they occur too frequently. Even when facing extreme pressure and nerves while performing, try to relax your muscles and focus on “feeling the music.” To relax your muscles, try taking deep breaths and letting your shoulders fall downwards naturally. Different techniques will work for different people, so experiment to find something that helps to reduce tension in your body.