Harmony Restored: Physiotherapy Helps a Violinist Play On

Here is Leslie’s first-hand account of his story.

I thought, at first, that I had just slept funny on my right arm, and it would be fine for me to take some ibuprofen and ignore the discomfort. Moving my hand around seemed to help, and as a life-long violinist I’ve dealt with intermittent strain before—a teacher once told me that there’s nothing so unnatural one can do as play an instrument.

I assumed the pain was a routine fluke and would pass eventually, so I shifted my attention to the demands of my studies at the Royal College of Music (RCM), where I am currently supported in my Master’s studies by the George Stennett Award.

About a year ago, the term had just begun, and I had an audition at the highest-ranked conservatoire in the world to prepare for, so I threw myself into my art. However, the pain worsened afterwards, and I could scarcely play a note without my wrist hurting, causing me to worry.

Repetitive strain injuries, while generally not career-ending, are nevertheless a frightening prospect for performing artists. Being enrolled in my final year of a violin performance program, I knew that I couldn’t afford to delay seeking medical care. As the NHS was unable to provide help in a timely manner, I went to see Mr. Ali Noorani, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who diagnosed me with a form of tendonitis that comes with a mouthful of medical terms: bilateral De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and intersection syndrome.

He advised me to get a steroid injection and recommended a very particular specialist at The London Clinic. With little time left to prepare for my upcoming auditions and recitals, I readily accepted his suggestions, and soon began working with Upper Limb Physiotherapist Rochelle Francois.

I was becoming increasingly anxious over the looming deadline of my final recital for my Bachelor’s degree. Not only would I have to recuperate enough to play by that date, I also had to prepare exhaustively in the time leading up to it. Rochelle listened very carefully to understand all my struggles related to and stemming from the tendonitis, and she patiently explained the purpose of every physiotherapy exercise, teaching me what to pay attention to in order to get the most out of it. With this knowledge, I was able to adjust multiple exercises on my own to meet the specific demands of violin playing as concerns arose.  I needed strength and stamina to repetitively execute the minute movements involved in playing the violin, and bit by bit I regained it.

On some level, I always had in the back of my mind the notion that playing an instrument would put me somewhat at odds with the fundamental mechanics of the human form. However, I was too focused on the small things I was competing for with the violin, that I didn’t pause to contemplate the bigger picture: I am not invincible, and my physiology does not care about my goals. While practicing my craft did not cause my injury, it may very well be that it weakened me and allowed for the injury to set in. Not only did Rochelle help me recover, she gave me the tools and knowledge to practice my craft in a safer, healthier way: working with my body instead of against it, to prevent these types of problems from developing in the first place. I did not notice the weight of all those years of cumulative strain until the breaking point came, forcing me to put down the instrument I had intertwined my life with. I now bring a renewed dedication to my art, and an approach that can keep pace with my passion, and for that I cannot thank her enough.

In the end, I graduated Class I with my Bachelor of Music degree from the RCM this past July, and this month I started my Master’s of Music studies at the same conservatoire. Were it not for Rochelle, Mr. Ali Noorani, and the wonderful team at The London Clinic, I would not be where I am today, greatly looking forward to the musical future they helped ensure I could pursue.