Finger exercises with anatomical constraints : a methodological analysis of non-pathological anatomical variations as causes of hand problems in musicians

textabstractRecently, hand problems in musicians have been recognised as systematic events. Numerous papers and statistics have been published (see Chapter IV); even, a journal exclusively devoted to such and similar problems in performing artists exists!. The present thesis defends the hypothesis that many hand complaints, such as focal dystonia, are caused by non-pathological anatomical variations in the hand. It is good habit to introduce such thesis by profiling it against the historic and current state of affairs. Instead, however, I would like to present an account of the events which led to this thesis, which is, to a degree, an autobiography