Physical therapist treats musicians' stress injuries. (services of Eve Colley of Pacific Physical Therapy Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii) (Focus on Health Care & Finance)

Nearly everyone knows about the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among computer workers, but few realize musical instruments can also cause repetitive stress injuries.

To combat the problem, one local physical therapist orchestrated an education program for members of the Honolulu Symphony.

Eve Colley, a therapist with Pacific Physical Therapy Inc., said musicians, like computer workers, are at risk for repetitive stress injuries because "they do the same thing over and over again for eight hours a day."

Contributing to the high injury rate is the fact that most instruments are played asymmetrically. For example, she said, a violin player's head is …