How to Play Piano Even if YOU have Rheumatoid Arthritis: YOUR Wellness Journey

Today’s article will discuss how you can still play the piano, even if you suffer from RA. Even though I was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago, I continue to use hand exercises and stretches to make my piano-playing sessions enjoyable.

Playing the piano can be a challenge for people with rheumatoid arthritis, as the condition can cause joint pain and stiffness. However, with the right tips and strategies, it is possible to play the piano comfortably, even with rheumatoid arthritis. This article will provide guidance on how to play piano with rheumatoid arthritis while minimizing discomfort and maximizing the enjoyment of playing.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints and other parts of the body. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. RA can affect people of all ages but is most common in adults over 40 years old. It’s important to note, however, there are other disorders that can cause hand joint pain. Before I was diagnosed, I first suffered from thumb pain. Thumb tendinitis and forearm tendinitis are also particularly painful, and using stretching exercises for those points works well too. You can do easy thumb stretches, which are great exercises for pianists.

For pianists and other musicians, RA can be particularly debilitating as it can cause pain and stiffness in the hands and fingers. This can make it difficult to play accurately or with precision. Common symptoms of RA include joint swelling and tenderness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent joint damage and disability. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with RA.

Piano Techniques that Are Less Stressful on Your Hands

Playing the piano can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be hard on your hands and wrists. To reduce the amount of stress placed on your hands, it is important to use proper techniques when playing. Here we will discuss some of the best piano techniques that are less stressful on your hands, such as the light touch technique and low-impact exercises for arthritic fingers and joints. With these techniques, you can enjoy playing the piano without worrying about pain or discomfort in your hands. I wrote another blog post describing various low-impact instruments; you can download that by clicking here. Learning to play piano as an adult can be a very gratifying experience, especially for someone who suffers from hand joint pain.

Light Touch Technique

One technique that can reduce the stress on your hands is the light touch technique. This technique involves using the fingertips of your left hand to play a single note and then moving those fingers over to play the next note. For example, while playing an A natural on the keyboard with your right hand, use your left hand’s pinky finger to hit A-natural on your left-hand treble clef. Now do this with all five fingers at once. Next, move all five fingers across to play B-flat and so on down the keyboard. Light touch has many benefits for pianists, such as improving finger dexterity and strength, maintaining long-term tone, and increasing speed. When playing with a light touch, the fingers are only lightly touching the keys. This makes it easier to control the dynamics and expression of a piece when using a light touch. This technique is also beneficial for pianists with tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many musicians find that their playing becomes more expressive when using light touch because they can use different kinds of sensitivity to react to the music in different ways without losing the sense of the music’s structure while doing so. This approach also allows pianists to use different rhythms, which can be difficult to do when playing with a heavy touch. The use of light touch is also recommended for those who want to improve their technique in general because heavier touch may restrict fluid motion. Many musicians and teachers believe that the development of light motion allows a pianist to use more expressive gestures during piano playing.

What Is Adaptive Technology and How Can It Help You Play the Piano With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Adaptive technology is a form of assistive technology that helps people with disabilities or physical limitations to access digital devices and services. It has been used for many years in the medical field to help people with rheumatoid arthritis play the piano. This technology can be used to make playing the piano easier and more enjoyable by automatically adjusting the settings of digital pianos and other instruments. With adaptive technology, pianists with rheumatoid arthritis can enjoy playing the piano without having to worry about their physical limitations. The goal is to make it easier for us to play while still allowing us to express ourselves musically.

What are the Benefits of Hand Braces for Piano Players?

Playing the piano is a skill that requires precision and agility. Many pianists find themselves facing hand and wrist pain after playing for extended periods of time. Hand braces provide the necessary support to help alleviate this pain while allowing players to maintain their technique. By using a hand brace, pianists can play more comfortably and confidently, leading to improved performance. Additionally, hand braces can also provide additional support for those with existing medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.

If you suffer from RA as I do, you’ll find playing the piano to be one of the best therapies for treating your emotional and physical stressors due to arthritis.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative.

Until next time, stay well!

Bea

BONUS: Meditation music, relaxing music, binaural beats, loving-kindness meditation.