Performers Need a Specialist
A performing career asks extraordinary things of the human body. The repetitive demands on specific muscle groups, the postural habits of playing different instruments, the physical and emotional toll of performance — these require an osteopath who understands the culture, not just the anatomy.
Mary is an approved practitioner with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and a member of the Osteopathic Performing Arts Care Association (OPACA). She has treated performers for over 25 years — from students at conservatoires to professional orchestral musicians, West End dancers, and touring actors.
Every Kind of Performer
Musicians
Orchestral, chamber, session. String players, pianists, brass, woodwind. Overuse injuries, bow arm, embouchure strain.
Dancers
Ballet, contemporary, commercial. Hip, knee, ankle. Injury prevention and recovery.
Singers & Voice Artists
Jaw, neck, rib, diaphragm. Vocal massage trained — specialist care for the speaking and singing voice.
Actors & Comedians
Performance anxiety, travel fatigue, touring strain, postural habits from stage and screen work.
Crew & Technical
Script supervisors, lighting, production crew — chronic standing, heavy lifting, irregular hours.
Students
Conservatoire and drama school students developing habits before injury becomes chronic.
How Mary Has Helped
Singer
Recurrent sinus infections and jaw alignment issue arising from performance stress. Resolved through cranial and facial osteopathic treatment over a course of sessions.
Professional Violinist
Chronic neck, elbow and wrist pain from years of playing. Improved significantly through a combination of osteopathic treatment and instrument technique advice.
Dancer
Neck and shoulder strain after returning from an injury break. Osteopathic rehabilitation with a gradual return-to-performance plan.
Comedian
Pre-tour anxiety about the physical demands of a long touring schedule. Session addressing stress patterns, sleep and musculoskeletal tension — leaving feeling prepared and well.
Beyond Just Treatment
Mary's work with performers goes beyond hands-on treatment. She discusses technique, body use, warm-up and cool-down habits, instrument fit, and strategies to minimise the long-term strain of a performing career.
She is trained in vocal massage — a specialist technique for singers that addresses tension in the muscles of the throat, jaw and neck that can impact vocal quality and range.
"Whether you play the violin, dance professionally, or perform eight shows a week — your body has specific needs. I understand the culture, the pressures, and the physical demands of a performing career."