Links...

Arts Medicine | UK Organisations | Dystonia | General Health

Arts Medicine Websites

• BAPAM - provides a free GP assessment to musicians and performing artists with health problems. BAPAM also has a helpline and will be able to advise you on health issues, financial help, and holds a Directory of Practitioners to direct you to the right practitioner in the UK.
  
  
• Music and Health - is a site created by Richard Beauchamp, Head of keyboard at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh. Richard has a very good knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics of the hand, which he applies to his piano teaching. His site is full of information on help for musicians, Arts Medicine organisations, articles and advice on piano playing technique relating to anatomy and biomechanics.
  
  
• Musicians' Health and Wellbeing - is a site developed by the Royal College of Music, London. It is linked to the Centre for Performance Science, which promotes collaborative research among musicians and scientists. Ongoing research projects include music psychology and physiology, musicians' health and wellbeing, musical development, skill acquisition and expertise.
  
  
• PAMA (USA) - Performing Arts Medicine Association. This site has a very extensive list of useful links on Health and Arts Medicine. PAMA is associated to the best quarterly scientific journal in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. The journal is called "Medical Problems of Performing Artists". PAMA runs an Arts Medicine conference every year in Aspen, Colorado.
  
  
• Médecine des Arts (France) - French Arts Medicine Association. The association also has a quarterly successful journal, and runs an extensive two-year Diploma Course in Arts Medicine, which has helped to create a stong network of Arts Medicine practitioners in France. The French also run an Arts Medicine conference every year in Montpellier.
  
  
• SHAPE - Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment, an association dedicated to promoting health and safety in performing arts industries in British Columbia, Canada. You will find useful advice sheets, in PDF format, on injuries affecting musicians and dancers, and their prevention. When you are in their "Library" section, click on "Ergonomics/MSI".
  

UK Organisations

• MU - The Musicians Union offers a wide variety of services and assistance to its members. The MU may be able to assist you towards health treatment costs. Contact Sheena Macdonald, regional organiser of the MU in Scotland, on 0141 341 2960.
  
  
• MBF - The Musicians Benevolent Fund provides funding through a range of awards schemes to help musicians when illness, accident, or old age brings stress and financial burdens. The MBF started a new scheme to help full-time RSAMD students in Glasgow with their health-related treatments costs.
  
  
• Scottish Music Centre - The Scottish Music Centre is a one-stop shop for information on all aspects of the Music Industry in Scotland, including entries on Music and Health. The SMC promotes Scotland's music locally, nationally, and internationally.
  

Dystonia Websites

• Dystonia Society (UK) - The Society is dedicated to providing information and support to everyone affected by dystonia in the UK, and to raising awareness of the condition and the needs of everyone affected. The Society is also committed to ensuring that everyone with dystonia has access to the treatments they need.

• Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (USA) - This site gives information on the various forms of dystonia and treatment options, including focal dystonias affecting musicians.
  
  
• Konstanz-Terrassa Dystonia Program - You will find specific information on the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musicians focal hand dystonia.

• Insight on Focal Dystonia - This article from The Times (July 2007) reviews in layman's terms some of the issues and treatment options for focal dystonia affecting musicians.
  
  

General Health

• Patient UK - You will find up-to-date health information leaflets provided by GPs to patients on a wide range of medical conditions, including musculoskeletal conditions.

• Acupuncture - The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) is affiliated to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Its principal aim is the integration of Acupuncture into Physiotherapy Practice for the treatment of pain and systemic illness. AACP maintains a register of acupuncture practitioners, of which Patrice is a member.
  
  
• Physio Glasgow - This is Patrice's new website, aimed at the population at large, not just musicians or performing artists. Patrice is a chartered physiotherapist specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.
  
  
• Back Care - Back Care is a registered charity that aims to reduce the burden of back pain by providing information and support, promoting good practice and funding research. You will find information sheets and downloads by clicking on BackCare's Library.
  
  
• Health & Safety Executive - Health and Safety Executive provides information on causes of musculoskeletal disorders and their prevention with reference to the industry you work in. Advice on back pain is also included.
  
  
  

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