Professor Roussel visits Piano LAB 2025 with workshop on injury prevention
We try to support our Piano LAB participants in any way possible and that includes providing advice on everything that happens behind the scenes of a pianist’s career. Therefore we invited an important visitor to our 2025 edition! Nathalie Roussel, researcher and professor at University of Antwerp, spoke to our students about avoiding injuries, taking care of physical well-being and ensuring a long, pain-free career.
“There is still a taboo surrounding pain among musicians.”
Research shows that 50 to 70% of professional pianists experience pain while playing, and complaints often start at a young age. Professor Roussel gave practical tips on how to avoid pain during the workshop. Her bottom line? Prevention is better than cure.
Professor Roussel explained that playing an instrument at a high level is comparable to elite sports, involving repetitive movements, extensive practice, and intense physical effort—all of which place significant strain on muscles and joints. According to her, these demands make it essential for musicians to strengthen their bodies in order to avoid injury. She also drew a parallel with Olympic swimmers, who not only hone their technique in the water but also engage in strength and mobility training on land. This additional training helps them both improve performance and prevent injuries—something she believes should apply to musicians as well.
In addition, professor Roussel recommended playing in moderation. The neck, wrist, hand, shoulder, elbow, and back are subjected to the most strain when playing the piano. Women are particularly susceptible to such injuries. Her advice: don’t play for more than an hour without a break, limit practice to a maximum of 20 hours per week, get enough exercise, and stop playing immediately if you feel pain.
We would like to extend our appreciation, once again, to professor Roussel, for her time and expertise. We’re are beyond grateful for her commitment to our musicianship.
