Playing (less) Hurt offers direct and helpful health advice for a wide range of players, from amateurs to professionals, and students to teachers. Although particularly valuable to those who may already be experiencing pain due to overuse injuries, this guide offers pertinent advice for any musician who wants to learn how to remain free of injury. The argument can be made that it is especially important for those just beginning their study of music to prevent pain and injury (although this book also offers useful advice about rehabilitation and instrument modification after an injury occurs).

Originally published in 2002, and excerpted in Strings magazine, this revised edition offers several new features. Among these are an injury susceptibility quiz, ten onstage tricks that can help a player avoid injury, an instrument modification section, information for classroom music teachers, and a musician's survival travel kit. The information in the handbook is easily accessible because it is categorized into four sections: overview of how injuries can occur; an explanation of various types of injuries; preventative and restorative approaches; and a list of helpful resources.

The author is the associate principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has spent the past 20 years advocating injury prevention among musicians while performing as a soloist and chamber musician. Horvath is in demand across the nation for her injuryprevention seminars, and in 1992 received the American String Teachers Association Service Award in recognition of her efforts on behalf of promoting musicians' health.