Dealing with pain...

Hi Andrew

First of all congratulations on a wonderful website and awesome youtube lessons... you are a star!

Reading your biography I was interested and sad to hear about your trouble with tendonitis. Although I have never suffered from this I have had neck and shoulder pain related to piano in the past.

Since a LOT of musicians suffer from this type of pain I was just wondering if you have any advice or comments regarding how to cope with injuries and pain like this. For example, what keeps you going when you know piano might be causing the issue or making it worse? Do you have mental strategies for dealing with pain or discomfort?

Thanks and stay healthy!
Cheers
Dean

I know this is are question for Andrew and i cannot answer them but i would like to comment about the advice on avoiding Tendonitis and all.
Well, actually it isnt fault of the instrument that you have a chance of getting a "Muscular disfortune", actually this kind of pain and discomfort is caused by wrongly positioning yourself in the piano (body, hands, arms, etc) and over-straining or like bringing to much tension to the tendons or muscles....for example when you practice take breaks in between never practice everything all-together brake it into sessions because Muscles needs rest thats one of the great steps to have a good practice, rest, so to avoid Tendonitis and all that you should plan well your practice time, try not to over-strain anything, be all relaxed and if by some reason you have some pain while you practice stop immediatly and rest.....So if you do things "right", you can avoid any problem with pain or discomfort, i dont know if i am right but i gave something at least

Well said Fryderyk

I might ad that genes Can play a role in this. Everyone is build different. And you got to figure out for yourselfe how long and what you can and cant do. Some can play 3-4-5 hours at the time, cause they got great musclecapasity. Some has to take breaks every 30 min. Its very individually. So try, and find out how long you can sit. And always keep in mind what Fryderyk said!!!!

I think Fryderyk said it for me, and since i have tendonitous I'm happy I don't need to type anymore than I do. The only thing i'm going to say is, take LOTS of breaks, and play with relaxed muscles, keep telling yourself to "play it easy" relaxation is all in your mind.

thanks guys, good comments. Stay healthy!!