Does Playing Flute Hurt?
This question is near and dear to my heart, and one that I try to address every time I teach flute lessons, sectionals, or group music classes: flute playing should not hurt.
Now, to get a little more into the nitty gritty of that statement, I have to tell you that there are times when flute playing can be uncomfortable as you’re building new muscles and learning a new skill, but the pain is beyond your common muscle-building discomfort.
What is NORMAL pain?
Normal muscle-building pain is fatigue, lactic-acid muscle aches, and discomfort that goes away in a couple of hours to a couple of days. Sometimes in the very beginning of learning to play flute or when you’re making an ambouchure change, you can feel these type of pain in your obicularis oris (the muscles that control your lips and the area around your mouth). Over and all, this type of pain isn’t terribly common when it comes to playing an instrument, but it can happen in the early stages or if you’re increasing your practice time. This kind of pain should certainly not be ignored, and it’s important to take breaks when your body is sending you those signals.
What is ABNORMAL pain?
Abnormal pain would be anything that’s shooting, throbbing, or burning. If you feel weakness or loss of normal movement, this is completely abnormal. Believe it or not, it’s common for musicians to see these warning signs and ignore them. These signs should not be ignored for any reason. Playing through the pain is a terrible idea and can lead to further injury or mental burnout as a result of your pain.
What should you do?
If you’re feeling abnormal pain, you should stop playing your instrument immediately. The best thing you can do is listen to your body and rest. Icing the area is a great option (RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation) and see a doctor if it persists. Slow stamina and strength building is your friend. If you have a big gig coming up and you need to play 2 hours straight but you only currently practice for a half hour at a time, you need to slowly build up to that 2 hours, otherwise you will hurt yourself.
When should I see a doctor?
If after a day or two of rest, you still have pain or your pain is getting worse, you should absolutely see a doctor. A doctor may recommend steroid medication, OTC medication, do x-rays, ultrasounds, and/or recommend physical therapy. Follow their instructions to a T, even if they tell you to take it easy on the playing. Your health is more important.
Products That Can Help
KT Tape is great for stabilizing any injury - I’ve used it a lot with my biceps tendinitis and it’s supremely helpful. Find it here: https://amzn.to/3X8JBvl
The Theragun is a deep tissue massager that helps improve bloodflow to the injured area. It’s a great tool. Find it here: https://amzn.to/3N4Yv1f
A full shoulder ice pack was really helpful for my shoulder injury. It allowed me to ice it comfortably without having to sit motionless and hold an ice pack to my shoulder. Fnid it here: https://amzn.to/43Vs4ZE
Long Story Short
If playing flute hurts, take a day off.
If it gets worse after time off from playing, see a doctor.
Flute, in general, should not be painful.
Building strength and stamina can cause normal muscle-building soreness.
*** This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor. I have basic first aid training and speak from personal experience injuring myself playing my instrument. Please see a doctor if you have questions.
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