VIOLIN PLAYERS! shoulder pain?
I’ve been playing the violin for about 4-5 months now and I’ve just randomly gotten like this weird pain in my left arm.
It’s like sore all on the outside of my arm and my shoulder stiffins up and I can’t move it and when I do it hurts really bad and it pops and stuff. I’m only 13 so i don’t think it’s caused by me being old or anything, but do you know what I could do about it? It just feels like I have lock jaw or whatever it’s called but in my shoulder.
I want to take pills for pain relief soo bad but I can swallow them, last time I tryed I nearly choked to death!
It’s not really the pain, it’s more of just the annoyance of my shoulder locking into place and also when I try to move it, it pops a lot and the bones grinde together!
I have a good private teacher?? ..I think maybe I might just be sleeping on it wrong or maybe it’s just because I pracice about 7 hours a day.
Who the heck said I was gonna give up violin!!
Stop putting words in my mouth people..
Filed under: Shoulder Pain Treatment
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From my own experience, I’d venture a guess that you are too tense. I used to have the same problem, except I was clenching my jaw so it hurt a lot and was very stiff. Try really hard to focus on relaxing your muscles when you are playing, and get used to doing that until relaxing comes naturally.
It could also be the way you are holding the violin. See if you can find a more comfortable way to hold it that doesn’t hurt. Your muscles will take quite some time to get used to being used in a new way, especially if you have long lessons or are practicing a lot. But this seems to be quite severe… If it doesn’t ease in a couple more weeks, ask your parents to take you to a doctor.
As for pain meds, try some liquid Tylenol. It tastes just like cough syrup, but choke it down if you can. You could also try cutting pills in half or grinding them up and throwing it into some juice or food. I wouldn’t try anything stronger than a reccommended dose of ibuprofen or tylenol, though. We don’t want you loopy.
Hope you get to feeling better!!
Your arm muscles will get used to your arm being in position that long. Until that time, cut your pain pills in half or crush them and put it in your food.
yes
No hurting allowed! You have to STOP PLAYING and then go to a good private teacher and have them look at what you’re doing.
This is not good.
A little soreness can be expected, but this is serious. Find every violin player you know who uses a shoulder pad and ask if you can try theirs. Talk to your teacher about it.If that doesn’t help see your doctor and take your violin with you.
At 4-5 months (7 hours of practice is way too much) cut back to 4 or 5 15 minute practices.
Good Luck
The shoulder is popping and bones are grinding together? Not good.
Yes, it will take time for your muscles to strengthen and adjust, but it sounds like your body is protesting against something — either your technique, your body’s tension, or the length of time you’re practicing.
I’m a pianist and flutist, not a violinist, but I do know more than I’d like to about repetitive-motion injuries. They can last a long time. Please back off a bit now, see an orthopedist to find out what exactly is going wrong, then take that information to your teacher so you can work together to find ways to play that won’t further stress your shoulder area. If you have a symphony orchestra in your area and can find out who all the violinists go to when they need a doc, so much the better.
If you have the dedication to practice 7 hours a day, I am sure you will be a superb violinist! Best of luck to you.
I remember when my sister first got her viola, she started off with a violin sized instrument but instead of a proper shoulder rest, she used a sponge.
I don’t know why that was, maybe that mad it softer or something, but I should think that playing it for 7 hours at a time doesn’t help.
Maybe its repetitive strain injury, you know, when you keep a part of your body in the same place for so long that a couple of days afterwords it really canes.
You shouldn’t be experiencing this much pain, a little pain is to be expected. It’s just your arm muscles strengthening.
The pops you’re hearing though may be fluid build up. I had muscle problems in my back for a while and when ever somebody massaged it I could feel the bubbles of fluid popping. (I know gross)
The only thing i can suggest is to warm and stretch your shoulder before playing, especially if its a cold day. And also, if you don’t have a shoulder rest on your violin, get one. This just makes playing more comfortable and reduces stress put on your neck and shoulder. Most violin players have one so I’d be surprised if you didn’t already have one. Oh well, just a suggestion.
If you’re pain continues though you should probably ask a doctor before considering giving up the violin.