A panel discussion comparing and contrasting traditional and alternative medical treatments of injuries incurred in the performing arts will lead this year's "Medical Problems in the Performing Arts," a program being presented Saturday and Sundy, July 27 and 28, at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.
For the second year, Yale physicians have combined festival events with lectures and forums addressing the medical and psychological needs of performing artists. "Last year we had a very successful turnout of musicians, dancers, health professionals and experts on music and sports medicine," says Dr. Martin W. Sklaire, clinical professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine.
Cosponsored by the Norfolk Festival, the Yale Summer School of Music and the School of Medicine's department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation, the two-day event will begin with a panel discussion on Saturday evening. This session, which is open to the public, will be moderated by Dr. Gary Friedlaender, professor and chair of orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Panel members will explore the differences and similarities among alternative and traditional medicine in treating music-related injuries. Panel members will include an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, a massage therapist and a traditional physician and orthopaedist.
Sunday's program begins with Dr. Sklaire discussing the inter-relationship between physicians and musicians throughout history in his lecture "Musicians and Physicians -- A Unique Partnership." His lecture will be followed by discussions concentrating specifically on hand and back injuries, which constitute a majority of the music-related injuries treated by doctors.
Sunday's program will also feature a return visit by Dr. Kyle D. Pruett, clinical professor of psychiatry at Yale and an opera performer himself, who will once again lecture on performance anxiety. Dr. Pruett will be joined by music students who will share their experiences with anxiety during auditions and performances. After a picnic lunch, afternoon workshops will address rehabilitation, relaxation and medication treatments.
There is a fee for the program. For registration information, call 785-4578.