Helping musicians save their careers

Dr Ruth Taylor, Honorary Physician to BAPAM, working with a singer (Photo: David West, 2007)

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) provides specialist diagnostic assessments and expert referrals to musicians, dancers and actors who have performance related injury or illness. Three quarters of those receiving help are musicians and we know from talking to ISM members how important it is to have access to physicians, surgeons, GPs, physiotherapists, counsellors and other therapists who can help with a wide range of problems.

We are also very keen for our expertise to be passed on to teachers of the next generation of performers and are developing a unique training package aimed at music teachers so that they can help student musicians avoid health problems in the first place. Don’t suffer for your art – and ensure your students don’t suffer either. 

We are funded by charitable donations and for that reason we are delighted that the ISM Council recognised the value of our work by deciding at its last meeting to support us financially. Thank you.

Andrew’s story

Andrew is in his late twenties and has been playing the cello since he was ten. After his conservatoire training he became a concert soloist, though most of his work came through private teaching.

A couple of years ago concert opportunities increased, and he became much more in demand. This meant lots of pressure and playing intensity. After a few weeks of very hard work he developed terrible pains in his left hand and arm, making playing difficult and often impossible. Any muscular activity was problematic: driving a car, he said, was ‘agony’.

Over several months when Andrew could barely work, his GP tried various unsuccessful options. Eventually, the local hospital diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome and he was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. Though he didn’t doubt the surgeon’s expertise in wrist surgery, Andrew was very worried at his disinterest in and ignorance of cello playing, and terrified the problem might recur.

A double bass player recommended that Andrew visit BAPAM’s Birmingham GP, an enthusiastic organist. ‘For the first time I felt my problems were taken seriously by someone who understands musicians’. The BAPAM GP watched Andrew try to play, and decided he would benefit from seeing a specialist hand therapist – herself a flautist. ‘It was amazing,’ Andrew said. ‘Even though I was about to undergo an operation, I left the consultation with the hand therapist feeling more at peace than I had done in years.’ The operation took five minutes, but the hand therapist had told him to look after the scar tissue and build up his playing gradually.  She also advised Andrew how to handle his instrument in the safest possible ways.

Andrew summed up what BAPAM had given him: ‘The surgeon clearly knew “his” stuff, but not “mine”. By talking to a very understanding and knowledgeable BAPAM GP and a specialist hand therapist, I not only got reassurance, but crucial advice on damage limitation and future injury avoidance! Now I am much more sensible about technique, getting my posture right, not over-practising. When I was at college, nobody worried about that, but now, when I teach my students, I make sure they learn from my experience.’

If you have a performance-related health problem you can get a free, confidential and specialist diagnostic assessment in one of twelve locations around the country. Phone BAPAM on 0845 602 0235 (from your landline) or 020 7404 8444 (from your mobile). For more information about BAPAM services, visit www.bapam.org.uk

Naomi Wayne, Chief Executive, BAPAM