Instruments pose specific challenges to our bodies. One-sided stresses can lead to tension, postural damage and health impairments over years of practicing for several hours a day. Because of this fact, confirmed by research, the World Health Organization retracted its statement that making music has a health-promoting effect. Not only that: the profession of orchestral musician is now one of the "top five" health-endangering professions worldwide.

Furthermore, stage fright, stress in audition situations and the so-called co-morbidities play a not insignificant role for musicians. By co-morbidities, physicians mean problems that are indirectly connected with the musician's profession. These include, for example, dependence on alcohol, tablets or drugs.
In a study conducted by the Music Industry Research Association in collaboration with Princeton University, 1277 musicians were surveyed on a variety of topics. When asked if the musicians had felt depressed or low for at least two days in the past few weeks, half (50 percent) answered yes, which is double that of the general population (25 percent). Further, the data showed that musicians are nearly seven times more likely to use ecstasy, three times more likely to use heroin and opium, and twice as likely to drink alcohol as the average global population.<