Musicians are part of a very special population: highly specialized movements, fine-tuned coordination, a great development of motor skills and the incredible combination of multiple cognitive and emotional processes. The health of musicians deserves a sharp eye and the knowledge of their needs.

I grew up in a family of musicians. From early on, I got used to the particular features of music. Playing the recorder since the age of six, I studied with Lucia Becker Carpena, attended masterclasses with Hans-Joachim Fuss and Renate Sudhaus and participated in chamber music ensembles in Brazil and Germany. At the piano, I took lessons with Maly Weisenblum, Hubertus Hofmann and Catarina Domenici, and achieved 2nd place at the Sebastian Benda Competition in Santa Maria, Brazil. For many years, I have been working with the prevention and treatment of performance-related disorders. I’m an author of various articles about musician’s health and conduct lectures and workshops for musicians and health professionals. In addition, I’m a member of the German Society for Music Physiology and Musician’s Medicine (DGfMM).

My focus lies on:
– movement-related complaints
– pain, discomfort and other symptoms related to playing an instrument
– post traumatic and post-surgery rehabilitation for musicians
– traumatological, neurological and orthopaedic complaints that influence or impair the musician’s activity

The physiotherapy assessment includes:
– detailed case history and specific instrument-related history
– analysis of the instrumental technique, comfort and ergonomy
– if necessary and requested by the musician: communication with the teacher/tutor
– if necessary: Pragmatic Hand Evaluation (developed by Prof. Dr. med Christoph Wagner/Germany)

Each case is handled individually, and each treatment involves a plan designed for the musician’s needs. It can include:
– guidance, information and education
– exercise and training
– manual therapy, taping and automobilization techniques
– Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (CardioEmotion®) and Galvanic Skin Response Biofeedback (eSense®)
– referral to other specialists if necessary
– communication with the teacher/tutor, if requested by the musician

 

Note: remote/online assessment and therapy are not available.