Many musicians are injured and many are playing in pain. In 2012, Dr. Bronwen Ackerman, Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of Sydney, surveyed members of the eight professional full time orchestras in Sydney. 84% of the musicians had experienced pain that had interfered either with playing their instrument or participating in orchestral rehearsals and performances. 50% had pain at time of the survey. Another study, done in 2008 by the American Association of Physician Assistants, found that there was a 50-76% of musicians reported musculoskeletal injuries. In comparison, a 2009 study found that the injury rate for Cirque du Soleil artists was 9.7% compared to a 15.2% injury rate for NCAA collegiate women’s gymnasts.

Ackermann, B., Driscoll, T., & Kenny, D.T. (2012). Musculoskeletal pain and injury in professional orchestral musicians in Australia. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 27(4), 181-7.

Heinan. M. (2008). A review of the unique injuries sustained by musicians. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. 21(4), 45-6, 48, 50.

Shrier, I., Meeuwisse, W.H., Matheson, G.O., Wingfield, K., Steele, R.J., Prince, F., Hanley, J., & Montanaro, M. (2009). Injury patterns and injury rates in the circus arts: an analysis of 5 years of data from Cirque du Soleil. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 37(6), 1143-9.

Kelly's Website

Kelly's Articles:

Stuff From Other Places Part 1

Stuff From Other Places Part 2

Healing My Clipped Wing

Kelly Mollnow-Wilson teaches is a licensed massage therapist and Neurokinetic Therapist Level 3 as well as being a certified Body Mapper. She teaches at Oberlin Conservatory.  Her "frankenflute" was altered by Alexa Still and the footjoint was modified by John Lunn.