Due to the profession and the consequences of an injury in the performing arts, it is crucial to analyse the possible effects and risks associated with the working environment of performers. Research by Bolling et al (2019), recognised the importance of identifying both direct and indirect factors related to injuries.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How are my health and well-being? (Sleep, diet, alcohol intake, mental health)

• Is anything producing physiological changes in my body, making me more susceptible to injuries: hormonal changes, side effects of medication, sexually transmitted infections, and possible illnesses contracted while touring?

Associated issues presenting in the performing arts environment and how to manage them

Sound exposure varies depending on the performance. Musicians are more susceptible to hearing disorders due to the setting and instruments.

Hearing disorders can be irreversible; prevention is key!

• Treatment:

  • Hearing rehabilitation and new medical interventions.

Visual impairments: commonly accompanied by difficulty differentiating colours, unwanted glare due to the reflection, and dry eyes.

• Regular eye tests are crucial to identify abnormalities early on, allowing correction, antireflection coating glasses, and adequate treatment to be prescribed.

Touring difficulties: Jet lag, poor sleep and increase risk of contracting diseases and viruses.

• Before traveling, start eating and exposing yourself to light as if in the destination time zone.

• Medical consult pre and post-travel and look into potential illnesses and outbreaks present in the touring countries.

• Lack of sleep reduces performance efficiency and increases the risk of potential incidents and injury (Rosa, 2006).

Focusing on injury prevention is crucial in the performing arts, as injuries can have immense consequences. Health effects related to this environment can happen on-site and off-site. A study by Barton & Feinberg (2008) showed positive outcomes on education in well-being and injury prevention for performers. Educating performers on the risk factors and preventative measures is ideal, allowing them to take an active role in their health.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about osteopathy, please contact us. You can find us just a few minutes walk from Clapham Common station. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

Barton, R. and Feinberg, J.R. (2008). 'Effectiveness of an educational program in Health Promotion and Injury Prevention for Freshman Music majors', Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 23(2), pp. 47–53. doi:10.21091/mppa.2008.2010.

Bolling, C. et al. (2019). 'From the safety net to the injury prevention web: Applying systems thinking to unravel injury prevention challenges and opportunities in Cirque du Soleil', BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 5(1), pp. e000492. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000492.

Rosa, R. (2005) 'Sleep loss, sleepiness, performance, and safety', Sleep: A Comprehensive Handbook, pp. 203–207. doi: 10.1002/0471751723.ch28.