How come professional guitarists don't get repetitive motion injuries?

Answer 1

because males actually have a repeater muscle in their hands/forearms that allow for repetitive motion.

Answer 2

A guitarist (like myself) practices a lot and keeps his/her hands flexible with some simple exercises. The motion of pushing down on a string and moving is then made easier, but does not create repetive motion injuries. In a manner of speaking, the motion of movement to play the guitar is actually therapeutic.

Answer 3

There are a lot of stressors that affect repetitive motion dis-orders or CTD's(cumulative trauma dis-orders). The duration of the repetition, rest between activities, genetic factors, variation of muscles used to complete a task, health, nutrition. Or it can be a simple matter of pain tolerance, many people have symptoms of CTD's they choose to operate through the discomfort, everyone from on-line gamers to secretaries almost any occupation you imagine can come down with a CTD. Ergonomic adjustments, correct positioning of tools play a role as well. What does not exist however is a"repeater muscle" in the forearms of males. *chuckling. Be well.

Answer 4

Any musician can suffer from that, but the body seems more forgiving about musical use. We're somehow BUILT for music. However, as with any physical activity, warming up with a bit of exercise and warm water or compresses is advisable if you play a lot. Both drummer Max Weinberg and keyboardist Keith Emerson had harrowing experiences with such issues. Everything is a bit of a gamble, but a little planning and prudence, you can play steadily into old age.

Answer 5

I would guess that sometimes they do. The main injury of this type is carpal tunnel syndrome. guitar playing typically doesnt cause this. I guess there's enough position changes and moving around to prevent these kinds of injuries

Answer 6

You run less risk of RSI if you're being relaxed, so maybe the ones that don't get it play without feeling pressured. Other things they might do is actively training their hands and wrists with for example a Power Ball.

Answer 7

Actually they do. I remember an interview where Jerry Garcia said he'd been having some carpal tunnel syndrome, but his chiropractor treated it and it was gone.

FP

Answer 8

They've been strumming for years, long before they ever picked up a guitar. Once a strummer always a strummer.

Answer 9

Some do

Good luck

Answer 10

What on earth makes you think they don't?
Guess what, they have all sorts of problems with wrists and fingers and even shoulders.