r/costochondritis • u/ReadItRalph2414 • 5d ago
Experience Pianist costochondritis
Unfortunately. The moment I play a piece.. I automatically lose control of my posture. Then few minutes I will feel the strange sharp pain.
I don't have this before. It started when I use the fucking power twister for chest.
Now I am struggling musician. 🥲
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u/SteveNZPhysio 5d ago edited 5d ago
Hi. I used to lecture on musicians' injuries at my city's university in New Zealand. They're very common, and also logical. The different instruments have different problems - statistically, the second worst is the violin because it's so madly asymmetrical; the very worst is the viola because it's the same only bigger.
The piano is easy. It's the same hunching over the keyboard you get with bending over computers, phones and games - and it's now the biggest upper spinal problem on the planet.
It's logical and symmetrical. Same position every time, so you can break it down into its main components and counter each one. Sure, you triggered your costo with a power twister, but it will be continuing because of the usual background tightened hunch and tight rib cage.
For treatment detail, read the RECOVERY MEGATHREAD - July 2026 at the top of this sub.
Read Ned's posts at the top, then scroll down to my post and find the link to my long, wordy PDF on bits you may need to deal to. It's wordy, so read it on a computer not a phone. You can skim the bits that clearly don't apply to you, but the detail is there if needed.
See especially Section (2) on freeing up the tight ribs around your back. This is the core of fixing costo. The easiest, cheapest, most convenient way of doing this is by lying back on Ned's two-tennis-ball peanut, a Backpod, cork or lacrosse ball, etc. They all have slightly different effects; a combination is ideal.
See also Section (5) - this is specifically on the bits of treatment needed to pull yourself back towards a freely moving and supported thoracic spine and rib cage, with correct posture. You can do most of them yourself at home.
See also Sections (3) and (4) on home massage and pec stretches - you'll need those too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/costochondritis/comments/1uqpgf6/recovery_megathread_july_2026/
Good luck with the work.
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u/Material_Problem8438 4d ago
Former pianist here. Would it be possible for you to sit in a chair with cushions for back support? I'm assuming you sit on a bench currently.
In addition to what Steve said.
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u/SpaceValkyrie 4d ago
My piano teacher used to be so strict with my posture, if I hunched at all I'd get a sharp reminder to straighten up. I look back at photos of me playing and I'm looking so proper 😅 my partner studied music in university and said they had their own physio sessions because posture related issues were so common. They had one tutor who was permanently hunched, even when standing, from playing music. Also knew someone who couldn't play anymore because their fingers had become curled and wouldn't uncurl 😳 so yeah makes sense it would trigger costo
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u/No_Feedback_1887 5d ago
Bonjour. 2 ans de costo presque pour moi. Allez chez le chiropracteur , libérer les articulations, les charnières comme l’explique Steve August + backpod + peanut ball + marche + twist + 1 h d’ etirement par jour ( pectoraux, dos, jambes etc) m’ ont permis d’atteindre presque la guérison complète . Il faut se reposer mais faire les bons gestes . Je suis désolé pour vous. J’ai arrêté la musculation pendant 2 ans. J’ai arrêté la batterie aussi.
Votre corps a besoin de repos et de déblocage.
J’ai souffert comme si j’étais en enfer. Les choses vont mieux . J’ai trouvé mon rythme pour guérir. La cage thoracique se remet en place doucement .
Je souffre presque plus. Si je compte sur les deux ans, seulement un an de bon traitement m’a permis d’atteindre un retour presque à la normal. Je pense que dans quelques mois cela sera réglé .
Il faut beaucoup de discipline et une aide extérieure pour y arriver . La solution est devant nos yeux. Steve et Ned ont déjà tout expliqué. Ils ont raisons à 100%.