At Performance Medicine, we understand that the backstage crew is what keeps the show going on. Night after night doing repetitive and heavy tasks can take a toll on your body, from holding the spot in one direction to lifting heavy equipment to fixing wardrobe malfunction can lead to some chronic disorders.

We say that “exercise is medicine”. Doing strength and functional exercises is a great way to keep you fit for your job. You don’t need to be injured to see us. Your physiotherapist can help you with a strength program to keep you on the Floor. Your massage and myotherapist can treat any build-up of tension so that you don’t become injured.

We know the impacts of working in all departments!

• Wigs, make up and wardrobe
• Crew & mechanists
• Lighting technicians

Some common backstage injuries are;

Wigs, make up and wardrobe

Neck and Shoulder

Lifting costumes on hangers, carrying laundry baskets, attaching that awkward headpiece, blow drying and pinning wigs on every night gets tiring. It can also lead to neck and shoulder fatigue. Using your neck and shoulders in a position for a long period of time can mean that these muscle may have less blood flow and oxygen, leaving a tight and sore sensation. This tension can build up over the course of a working week.

But by doing regular postural exercises and seeing a massage or myotherapists can decrease this tension. The massage therapists at Performance Medicine are experts in the behind the scenes work and can keep you doing hair, make up and kitting out those performers

Finger pain

Fiddling with zips, clasps, pins and heavy costumes can cause tired fingers joints and hands. You may experience stiffness and pain in these joints and in your forearms that builds up over the course of a week. You may not feel injured, however an ongoing niggle in your hands and fingers can progress if you haven’t had it assessed.

So, if you are not “injured” what can you do? We recommend seeing a myotherapist or remedial massage therapist to give those arms, wrists and finger some much needed attention. By attending to the muscles and joints you are improving fluid flow and health of your tissues and decreasing your pain at work.

Lighting

Holding a follow spot, sitting in the lighting dome or at the lighting desk for a prolonged period of time, can increase the tension in your back and arms. It is not uncommon for those of you in the lighting department to experience both upper and lower back pain and stiffness. Over the course of a week, you may feel this tension increasing. Regular back exercises can assist to improve your mobility and decrease tension. Massage or myotherapy can also have great benefits.

Massage or myotherapist may use cupping or dry needling to release tension in your body. Functional conditioning exercise programs are recommended to keep you strong and mobile. Assisting you to manage the often static nature of lighting work.

Crew & Mechanists on the Floor

We understand that the crew and mechanists on the floor literally keep the show going. Moving set pieces, lifting props and ensuring all the performers are safe is a big job. We know that some crew members can experience back pain that may initially start as a niggle. Don’t ignore your niggle!

As a crew person, you are also an elite performer and having regular release work of your muscles can decrease the build up of muscle tension. Your massage therapist and myotherapist can treat any build up of tension and your physiotherapist can help you with a strength program to keep you on the Floor, before you get injured.