PT Music Ergonomics

MUSIC ERGONOMICS CLASS

 

Brianne Oricchio was invited to give a lesson on ergonomics to Prof. Nancy Strelau’s string pedagogy class. Using the skeletons in the PT lab, we discussed basic anatomy and how various body structures work together to create movement. Students held up their stringed instruments to the skeletons to observe how repetitive motions and postures could contribute to pain. This also allowed us to analyze the different positions the human body moves through while playing an instrument.

Brianne works with Dr. Strelau to show how a skeleton would hold a violin 

Moving into proper positioning is key to play the bass

Demonstrating good posture to the class when playing the cello 

In addition to being a 5^th year DPT student, Brianna also serves as Concertmistress for the Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra and has been involved with music her entire life. Being a musician, she understands the demand that playing an instrument puts on the body and how the answer to avoiding injury or decreasing pain cannot, and should not always be to “play less.” Brianne said, "This experience was fascinating for me because I was able to combine what I’ve learned throughout my program with my passion for music to educate fellow musicians on utilizing proper body mechanics in order to avoid injury and play to their full potential."