Few may know, however, that such moments may come with excruciating pain to the lips and facial muscles of the horn players. This painful syndrome, which has defied effective medical diagnosis, threatens the health, livelihood and careers of musicians who play wind instruments, whether they are classical, jazz or dance band performers. The syndrome comes from the constant positioning of the lips, jaw and facial muscles (the embouchure) that wind players must maintain with the mouthpiece to produce the sounds of their instruments. It is an occupational hazard for tens of thousands of musicians. Treatment has been limited to painful injections to the facial muscles, and advice that is tantamount to a professional death sentence - to take six or more months off from playing the instrument.
Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, an Oakland, PA, chiropractor who has many patients within the Pittsburgh arts community, made a presentation to the Performing Arts Medical Association at its 20th annual symposium held in Aspen, Colorado June 20-23. He detailed his therapeutic approach in "A Manual Approach to Embouchure Problems in a French Horn Player." The patient, William Cabullero, is the principal French horn player at the Pittsburgh Symphony. Dr. Cohen explained how he was able to restore function to Mr. Cabullero's embouchure through soft-tissue manipulations around the mouth and cheek.
Two years ago, Dr. Cohen was invited to present a paper to the Performing Arts Medical Association. It was the first time a chiropractor had presented a paper before the prestigious speciality medical society. In that presentation, Dr. Cohen detailed his use of soft tissue manipulation for the shoulder pain of a bassoonist.
Dr. Cohen has been a contributor to the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and Chiropractic Technique. This year, he co-edited The Collective Writings of Nimmo & Vannerson, Pioneers of Chiropractic Trigger Point Therapy. He is a member of the postgraduate faculty of New York Chiropractic College.
Dr. Cohen, a Pittsburgh native, is the son of a physician and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He has maintained a practice on Fifth Avenue for 26 years. He has treated members of the Pittsburgh Ballet, and professional athletes such as L. C. Greenwood, the former all-star defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Gibbons
Editor Emeritus
Chiropractic History
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania