What are the health risks of playing the saxophone?

Under normal circumstances, playing the saxophone may generally cause health issues such as neck muscle strain, oral mucosa damage, increased burden on the lungs, temporomandibular joint discomfort, and hearing impairment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Neck Muscle Strain: Playing requires maintaining a forward or sideways head tilt for extended periods, causing the neck muscles to remain tense. This can easily lead to muscle fatigue and soreness. Long-term strain might result in neck stiffness and reduced flexibility.

2. Oral Mucosa Damage: The lips must tightly fit against the mouthpiece and undergo frequent vibrations during play, which may cause mucosal wear, redness, and swelling of the lips. The areas of the mouth where the teeth contact the instrument might also suffer mucosal pressure injuries. Repeated damage can cause pain and interfere with normal eating.

3. Increased Burden on the Lungs: Playing involves frequent deep inhalation and forceful exhalation, leading to excessive lung expansion and increased pressure. Long-term, high-intensity playing may cause respiratory muscle fatigue, resulting in chest tightness, shortness of breath, and other discomforts—particularly noticeable in individuals with weaker lung function.

4. Temporomandibular Joint Discomfort: Frequent jaw movement and tooth occlusion during playing place continuous stress on the temporomandibular joint. This may lead to joint pain, clicking sounds, and in severe cases, can affect normal functions such as opening the mouth and chewing, thereby reducing quality of life.

5. Hearing Impairment: The saxophone produces loud sounds, and long-term exposure to high-decibel noise at close range can irritate the auditory nerve, potentially causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and other issues. The risk of hearing damage is even higher when playing in enclosed spaces.

When playing the saxophone, it is important to control the duration and intensity, maintain correct posture, and take timely rest if physical discomfort occurs. If symptoms persist, playing should be stopped and medical evaluation sought to avoid long-term health damage.