The Unseen Toll of Music: A Hidden Health Crisis

The world of music is often romanticized as a realm of creativity and passion, but the harsh reality is that performing arts health is a relatively new field, and musicians are often left to suffer in silence. UW-La Crosse assistant professor Kourtney Austin is working to change this narrative by shedding light on the health issues that plague musicians. She hopes to add more support to musician physical health, citing examples such as carpal tunnel and vocal strain. But is this support enough? What if the root cause of these issues is not just physical, but also emotional and psychological? Should we be focusing on preventing these problems in the first place, rather than just treating the symptoms? Austin's research also raises questions about the lack of knowledge among musicians about vocal health concepts. Only 40% of the singers in her choir had knowledge about voice health, leaving a significant gap in education and awareness. What can be done to bridge this gap and ensure that every musician is equipped with the knowledge they need to maintain their health? With research from last year now complete, Austin hopes to continue similar research in future classes, taking a longitudinal approach to examine the retention and application of this knowledge over time. But will this be enough to make a real difference in the lives of musicians? The answer remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the health of musicians is a topic that deserves attention, and it's up to us to take action.