Why Musicians Ignore Pain

In almost every instrument, pain is a common or expected side effect, yet many musicians hide or ignore it. From young students to professionals, the pressure of success often outweighs the instinct to protect the body. This mindset, however, puts musicians at risk for long-term injury and burnout.

But why do we ignore pain so often?

In many stages and settings, music education is shown to value endurance and perfection. Many players grow up learning that discomfort or pain is normal, or even necessary. If taught from an early age, this harmful mindset becomes ingrained in us, and our bodies can be desensitized to expected levels of discomfort. But, feeling less pain doesn’t lessen the harm of injuries, and musicians continue to be exposed to risks of injury.

Also, many musicians worry that admitting pain will lead to lost opportunities, missed auditions, or being seen as unreliable. We imagine a doctor telling us to take a break from our instruments for months, and decide that if no one says that anything’s wrong, it really isn’t. This fear keeps many silent, and injuries can worsen over time. Without training in body awareness, students often can’t tell the difference between healthy fatigue and harmful strain. In addition to not mentioning pain to parents, teachers, or doctors, this allows musicians to ignore discomfort, but this doesn’t stop the injury from growing. Most musicians receive years of technical training, but very little instruction on ergonomics, posture, or how to identify the difference between soreness and pain. As a result, many grow to assume pain is unavoidable.

The Cost of Ignoring Pain

Unaddressed pain can turn into repetitive strain injuries, chronic discomfort, reduced performance ability, and emotional stress. Problems that could have been fixed early often become long-term setbacks.

How can we prevent/lessen pain?

Musicians need to learn healthy habits at a young age. By practicing proper posture and technique, and learning to listen to your body, you can be less at risk for injury, or at least catch them early before effects and pain becomes permanent. If you already have an injury, talking to teachers, parents, and doctors can help identify a treatment, so that you can keep playing while healing. When students learn that pain is not a requirement of mastery but a sign to pay attention, they become healthier, stronger, and more capable artists.