Physical Therapy for Musicians — By a Musician Who Gets It.
Portland's only physical therapy clinic dedicated to the health and rehabilitation of musicians. Whether you play professionally or purely for the joy of it, you deserve care from a provider who truly understands the demands of your instrument.
Why I Do This Work
My path to becoming a physical therapist started with my own injury. While completing my music degree at Boise State University — studying violin as my primary instrument — I began experiencing back pain that was directly related to playing. I tried acupuncture, the Alexander technique, chiropractic care, massage, and rest. Each of those providers offered something, but not one of them gave me what I actually needed: the education and tools to understand what was happening in my body, modify my practice routine and technique, and continue playing through rehabilitation.
What I needed was a provider who understood the physical demands of playing an instrument from the inside — a fellow musician. That provider didn't exist, so I decided to become one.
I founded Hampton Physiotherapy in 2022 with musicians at the center of my vision. Over 25 years as a violinist — and years spent independently studying piano, guitar, and voice — have given me an understanding of what it means to play, to practice, to perform under pressure, and to be sidelined by injury. That understanding shapes everything about how I work with musicians.
“She needed a provider who understood the demands of practice and performance — a fellow musician. Her goal is to ensure all of your physical needs are met under one roof without the hassle of having to see multiple healthcare providers to manage your injury.”
The Reality of Musician Injuries
Playing-related injuries are far more common than most people realize. Research suggests that up to 93% of musicians experience some form of playing-related injury during their careers — a rate that rivals elite athletes. Yet unlike athletes, most musicians don't have access to athletic trainers, guided conditioning programs, or injury management resources built into their professional lives.
Worse, there is a persistent stigma around admitting injury in musical communities. Acknowledging pain can feel like a threat to your career, your identity, or your standing with teachers and colleagues. This leads many musicians to play through pain, ignore early warning signs, and delay seeking care until an injury that could have been addressed early becomes something far more serious.
You should not have to choose between playing and taking care of your body.
My goal is to help you do both — to find a path through rehabilitation that keeps you connected to your instrument as much as safely possible, and gets you back to full playing capacity as efficiently as we can.
Conditions I Treat in Musicians
Playing-related injuries can affect nearly any part of the body, depending on your instrument, your technique, your practice habits, and your individual anatomy. The most common conditions I treat in musician patients include:
Tendinopathies of the hand, forearm, elbow, or shoulder — including De Quervain's tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylalgia, and rotator cuff tendinopathy
Overuse injuries — tissue breakdown that occurs when practice load exceeds the body's capacity to recover
Nerve injuries and neuropathies — including thoracic outlet syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome
Postural pain — neck, mid-back, and shoulder pain related to instrument hold, asymmetrical posture, or prolonged static positioning
Focal dystonia — involuntary muscle contractions affecting fine motor control, a complex condition requiring specialized management
Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction) — particularly relevant for wind players and vocalists
Finger injuries — including joint hypermobility, arthritis, trigger finger, and collateral ligament sprains
Lower back and rib pain — common in pianists, percussionists, and string players
Headaches — often related to neck tension, jaw dysfunction, or postural strain
Performance anxiety with physical manifestations — tremor, muscle tension, and breathing dysfunction that affect playing
If your injury or condition isn't listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out. If it's affecting your ability to play, I want to hear about it.
Who I Work With
I work with musicians of all ages, abilities, instruments, and genres. You do not need to be a professional musician to deserve specialized care — if playing matters to you, it matters to me.
🎻 String players
🎹 Pianists
🎸 Guitarists
🎷 Wind players
🥁 Percussionists
🎤 Vocalists
🪗 Folk musicians
🎺 Brass player
🎵 All others
From classical conservatory students to weekend folk players, from professional orchestral musicians to touring rock guitarists — if you play, I can help.
Read the Musicians' PT Blog
I write regularly about musicians' health, injury prevention, and rehabilitation on my blog. It's free, evidence-based, and written specifically for musicians — not just clinicians.
Recent topics include forearm pain in string players, how musicians should warm up before playing, and eight ways to reduce pain while playing your instrument.
Ready to get back to playing?
Whether you're dealing with a new injury, managing something chronic, or just starting to notice pain that concerns you — don't wait. Early intervention almost always leads to better outcomes. I'd love to help you find a path back to pain-free playing.