129. Shoulder Pain? Injury Prevention & Longevity for String Players with Dr. Caleb Davis

Shoulder Pain? Injury Prevention & Longevity for
String Players | Dr. Caleb Davis





Shoulder pain is one of the most common injuries in
musicians—especially string players. In Episode 129 of The
Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with his
former student, orthopedic shoulder surgeon, and lifelong cellist
Dr. Caleb Davis to talk about shoulder injuries, rotator cuff
tears, strength training for musicians, and how to prevent
long-term damage.





Dr. Davis specializes in shoulder and elbow surgery, including
rotator cuff repair and robotic-assisted shoulder replacement—but
this episode focuses on prevention first. Drawing from both his
surgical expertise and his background as a trained cellist, he
explains how musicians can avoid unnecessary surgery through
smart training, mobility work, and better practice habits.





If you’re an orchestra teacher, private lesson instructor, or
performing musician dealing with shoulder tension, overuse
injuries, or chronic pain, this conversation is packed with
practical, evidence-based advice.





In this episode, we discuss:


• Common causes of shoulder pain in violinists, violists,
cellists, and bassists


• Rotator cuff injuries and when surgery is actually needed


• Injury prevention strategies for musicians


• Strength training and mobility for string players


• Posture myths in orchestra and how tension develops


• How music teachers can talk to students about pain


• Longevity, performance health, and staying active for life





Dr. Davis is also the co-host of The Shoulder Blueprint and host
of The Wellness Blueprint, where he shares modern, evidence-based
strategies for shoulder health, injury prevention, and long-term
performance.





Whether you’re trying to prevent musician injuries, recover from
shoulder pain, or help your students build sustainable technique,
this episode will change how you think about health in the
orchestra classroom.





— BIOGRAPHY —


Dr. Caleb Davis is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder
and elbow surgery, with a focus on rotator cuff repair and
shoulder replacement. He is passionate about helping people stay
active through prevention, education, and smart training. He is
the co-host of The Shoulder Blueprint, host of The Wellness
Blueprint, and a lifelong cellist.





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Socials: @calebdavismd





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