British Association For Performing Arts Medicine

General information

Specialist health support in the performing arts

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is a health care charity helping performing arts professionals and students beat (and preferably avoid) work-related health problems, and dedicated to sharing knowledge about healthy practice. We also deliver specialist training for doctors and other health care professionals, educators and professional bodies, and advocate for best practice throughout the performing arts.

Free Clinics

BAPAM’s expert clinicians understand the demands of a performing arts career and give free medical advice about problems including playing-related injuries and pain, tension, hypermobility, voice problems, performance anxiety and stress. Clinical assessments are available in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Portsmouth. BAPAM clinicians are from a range of backgrounds including general practice, physiotherapy, osteopathy, psychology, rheumatology, and orthopaedics.

Resources

BAPAM’s free information resources help people working in the arts care for their health and perform at their peak. BAPAM Factsheets are ideal for teachers, students and performers and include advice about preparing for performance, from physical warm-ups to psychological self-care, coping with anxiety and challenging working conditions, caring for your voice, hearing, taking care of nutrition and alcohol consumption. All of these resources are available to download for free from the BAPAM website.

BAPAM’s popular Warm-up Exercises for Musicians resource is available as a pocket-sized leaflet. Music teachers can help spread the word about healthy performance and the help available from BAPAM by distributing these leaflets to their students.

Directory of Practitioners

BAPAM maintain a Directory of practitioners with expertise in performing arts health care. Practitioners listed on the Directory are appropriately insured, qualified and attend specialist training events. Often practitioners on the Directory offer reduced rates to BAPAM-registered clients.

Events and Training

BAPAM’s adaptable training events for performers, educators and students, employers and other organisations focus on essential skills for healthy practice and optimal performance throughout a demanding career. Sessions can be tailored to cover the most relevant topics in each setting and include health & wellbeing for performers, injury prevention, ergonomics, good technique, vocal health, stress management and overcoming performance anxiety. Find out more about booking a training event.

BAPAM also regularly organise educational events open to all – more information can be found on their News page or social media, or you can sign up to a mailing list on their website.

Links

www.bapam.org.uk
www.facebook.com/performingartsmedicine
www.twitter.com/ukbapam

Contact: 020 7404 8444 enquiries@bapam.org.uk