Why does my shoulder hurt after violin?

The most common pains involve the upper part of the body: the back, the shoulders and the cervical spine (upper part of the spine). These physical pains result from an unnatural posture adopted by the violinist or the violist. They impose on their body a position and physical constraints that cause pain.

How do I get my left shoulder to stop hurting?

Home Care

1. Put ice on the shoulder area for 15 minutes, then leave it off for 15 minutes. Do this 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
2. Rest your shoulder for the next few days.
3. Slowly return to your regular activities.
4. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may help reduce inflammation and pain.

Can playing violin cause shoulder pain?

Violinists have twice as much risk of developing pain in the neck, right shoulder and left forearm, when compared with pianists. Violists and violinists have a higher incidence of pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow and forearm than pianists.

How do you massage a sore shoulder?

Shoulder and Neck Massage

1. Press both thumbs down, one on the outside of each shoulder.
2. Move them in, pressing firmly at intervals of 0.5 in. (1.27 cm) until both thumbs reach the spine at the same time.
3. “Crawl” your thumbs out again to the shoulder joints.
4. Repeat this movement 4 or 5 times.

How do you release the tension on a violin?

Exercises:

1. Shake it out. Whenever you feel yourself tensing, stop playing and shake out your muscles.
2. Slow Down. Rushing through practice increases the stress placed on your body.
3. Baroque Bow-Hold. In the 1600’s, violin bows resembled the ones used with arrows, and were held much closer to the middle of the bow.

How do you release tension on a left handed violin?

Take your left thumb, where tension is often stored, and tap it gently three times on the neck. Then place your first finger on the fingerboard and tap three times again. Continue this process with each finger on each string. Practice pushing your fingers down without gripping in your thumb.

Why does my right shoulder hurt when playing the violin?

Pain in the right shoulder, neck and upper back is not uncommon amongst violinists as well. Often times the shoulder blade, or scapula, can be slumped and pulled up and forward from overuse of the upper trapezius and pectoral muscles, and weakness of the lower scapular muscles.

What are the top 6 violin postures that cause pain?

Top Six Violin Postures That Cause Pain and Violin Injuries 1 Arm Position. A good violin teacher will notice when your hand or wrist is not in an optimal… 2 Neck and Jaw (TMJ) is Bent to the Left. Here we see the neck is bent to the left. 3 Right Shoulder Girdle Slump. Pain in the right shoulder, neck and upper back is not uncommon…

Should the bottom bout of your violin touch your shoulder?

The bottom bout of your violin should touch your collar bone, and not just hang free. When I used my collar bone instead of my shoulder to hold up my violin, I realized that raising my shoulder didn’t help me at all.

How do you keep a violin from sliding down?

Balanced violin between the hand, collar bone, and jaw. The first finger and thumb cradle the neck of the violin and keep it from sliding down the body. The strings are at a slight downward angle so gravity is sending the weight of the violin down to the collar bone.