Ergonomics as a student

Published 30.6.2022 | Updated 26.9.2024

Take care of ergonomics when working 

Studying can involve a lot of sitting or the kind of artistic work where taking breaks, good working positions, having appropriate work tools and using aids can help reduce harmful physical strain.  

Appropriate equipment choices and personally tailored workstation adjustments can significantly improve your ergonomics when doing computer work. When studying remotely, paying attention to ergonomics is especially important. If necessary, you can seek expert help from an FSHS physiotherapist!   

Ergonomic support for Sibelius Academy students

Well-being courses

Body maintenance and exercise courses, tailored for music students, provide you with guidance on maintaining your study ability and practice skills.

Physiotherapy consultations

If you are experiencing pain, numbness or other symptoms requiring preventive consultation, you can make an appointment with a physiotherapist specialising in musician wellbeing or a VoiceWell specialist.

The consultation can be applied for by youth or basic education students or exchange students, with the exception of students of Arts Management or Cultural Music Studies.

If during the same academic year you attend a violinist clinic where a physiotherapist is involved in the supervision, you are not entitled to a physiotherapy consultation.
If you participate in teaching where the guidance of a physiotherapist does not exceed one lesson (e.g. flutist clinic), you may be granted one more consultation during the same academic year, if necessary.

During one academic year, you may be granted 1–2 physical therapy consultations. One consultation is 45 minutes long.

Applying for consultation

Before submitting the request, it is recommended that you speak with your instrument teacher. It is also recommended that your instrument teacher takes part in the first session in order to assess the overall situation and avoid conflicting instructions.

Physiotherapy consultations are granted by Lecturer Susanna Metsistö. You will be notified by email. Please contact your physiotherapist only after you have been granted a consultation. Retroactive applications will not be accepted.

If you are granted a consultation, you can agree with the physiotherapist on when and how the consultation will be given.

Consultations are granted to investigate an acute problem with functional capacity. The approved consultation must be used as soon as possible or at the latest during the same academic term. Consultations granted in the autumn must be used by the end of January at the latest. In the spring you can apply for consultation by the end of May. The consultations granted in the spring must be used by the end of June.

Some of the physiotherapists receive clients at their own clinic. You can also book a room for the consultation from the Sibelius Academy by email: siba.tilavaraus@uniarts.fi. The name of the physiotherapist used to make the booking must be mentioned when booking a room.

Physiotherapists specialising in ergonomics for musicians

Music Physiotherapist Satu Palo

Music Physiotherapist, OMT Physiotherapist Satu Palo has worked as a physiotherapist for more than 30 years and with musicians since 2004. Satu specialises in, among others, optimal body position, pain in the neck, upper extremities, spine and nerve tissue as well as individual guidance of exercises that strengthen the body and finding an optimal playing position. She has taught ergonomics at the Sibelius Academy in the clinic for violinists and flutists.

Contact us primarily by email at satu.palo@live.fi (tel. +358 (0)400 799 564), www.fysioterapiaklinikka.fi

Music Physiotherapist Katarina Porander

Music physiotherapist Katarina Porander has over 25 years of experience working with musicians. Katarina specialises in, among others, musician ergonomics, physical training and rehabilitation of stress injuries. Katarina has served as a physiotherapist with the National Opera, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Tapiola Sinfonietta since 1991.

Contact: tel. +358 (0)45 671 2849, katapo@saunalahti.fi

Music Physiotherapist Markku Riihinen

Markku Riihinen is a music physiotherapist from Kuopio who has worked with musicians’ physical problems and their prevention for 30 years. He is a specialist in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is an occupational physiotherapist. Markku works as a consulting physiotherapist for the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Joensuu City Orchestra and Jyväskylä Sinfonia, and teaches musician ergonomics at several educational institutions.

Contact us: markku.riihinen@iwn.fi, tel. +358 (0)17 261 1615 (Physiotherapy service)

Osteopathic treatment / VoiceWell

Kirsi Vaalio is an osteopath, Master of Music (MMus), HoitavaHengitys (Healing Breathing) HB(r) instructor and VoiceWell practitioner. She specialises in the treatment of the vocal and respiratory tract and breathing. OsteoVoice, VoiceWell and Laryngeal Manual Treatment are methods used to treat stress and disorders of the vocal and respiratory tracts, which also involve the bite and tongue. Kirsi applies osteopathic soft tissue and fascia techniques, mobilisation and various respiratory methods and exercises in her treatments.

Contact: +358 (0)400 433 629, kirsi.vaalio@gmail.com, www.kirsivaalio.fi

Additional material and exercises for maintaining your study ability

The following pages contain information and exercises for maintaining your study ability:

• Do you know enough about playing practice?
• From Potential to Performance – Practising tips for musicians
• Erja Joukamo-Ampuja: Smart Practising tips