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Back ache after playing?
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John M G
318 posts
Jul 21, 2019
7:11 PM
Does anyone else suffer with lower back pain after a 3 hour gig? I've never had a great posture but I've recently had another 4 ablations (nerve singeing to stop the pain signals) at L4,L5 but I still wind up in a mess the night and day after. I tend to sit on a straight back chair but it doesn't seem to matter much if I stand. Anyone else have similar back problems playing? Did you get a cure? what was it?
Cheers JG
SuperBee
6081 posts
Jul 21, 2019
8:08 PM
Not quite like that but I’ve had problems, John. Mine are mainly in my cervical spine, but as my GP once said “I’ve no doubt you have pan-back problems”. I don’t think he was talking about the Roman deity.

My neck and upper thoracic spine give me grief mainly when I’m tuning or otherwise working on harps.

I do get lumbar problems if I am standing a long time. One gig we used to play on a hard paved stage and that was hell. Every time I would end up so sore.

Years ago, like 20 years, I had lots of problems with my back. I lost a lot of weight and life became easier in quite a few ways, including my back.

Over the last 6 years I’ve progressively put the weight back on until earlier this year I was right back at the weight I’d been 20 years ago.

Of course I’m 20 years older and I’ve found it has slowed me down a lot.

I’ve just this year had drama with sciatica, problems with hips, ankles, knees and feet.

5 weeks ago I began doing something about the weight. I’ve got rid of 11kg and about 7 centimeters off my waist. The sciatic problem has faded to the point I’m not aware of it.
My neck is still dodgy.
Intending to keep at it while I’m still enthused and get rid of the remaining surplus; another 12kg I estimate.

Oh yeah, that 2 decade old program I undertook also involved so strength and movement coordination training. So far I haven’t gone there but I think I will. I was definitely better off when I had a strong core.
dougharps
1980 posts
Jul 21, 2019
9:10 PM
Occasionally I get a back ache when playing a gig, usually on nights when I have helped haul in and set up the PA. By the end of the third set it sometimes gets bad.

We used to do 4 hour gigs and haul heavier gear 20 years ago, but shorter 3 hour gigs and lighter gear has helped avoid problems to some extent.

I purposely use a folding metal stool to set my harp case at a high enough level so that there is no need for bending to pick up harps or the mic.

So far I have taken Ibuprofen or aspirin on these occasions my back hurts and within a day I am back to normal.

Occasionally I play acoustic [no amp, just PA] gigs with lead singers who sit during the gig, so on those gigs I usually will sit as well. Even on those nights that we sit in chairs with backs, if I have hauled speakers in and set them up, then have had to tear down at the end, I may still get a sore back despite sitting.

Playing out is less fun when your back is killing you.

For me avoiding back pain seems to be a combination of good posture when standing and of not trying to lift and carry gear as though I am still in my 20s or 30s.

Sometimes your mind can write a check that your aging body is unable to cash without pain or injury...
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 22, 2019 5:18 AM
jbone
2973 posts
Jul 22, 2019
2:39 AM
At 64 I've actively gigged for nearly 30 years, from a couple a month to 4 or 5 a week at one point.
Car wrecks, cheap shoes, old injuries that went years untreated, all conspired to give me problems. I used to lie on my stomach in bed and read novels a lot.
I mostly stood to play for about 18 years and always pitched in as roadie too.

Age will tell you what you did wrong. Some 13 years ago my wife began having problems with her arm after getting a big arch top Epiphone jazz box. It got to where she didn't know if she could write let alone play a guitar. We got her therapy with a chiropractor and she sold off the big body guitar, went to electric for as time, and we began sitting to rehearse and play out. Her shoulder/neck healed. We ALWAYS sit these days. Some months ago she fell on a beach and broke a vertebra, the L5, and was out of commission for some months. She practiced and made a comeback and we've got her ready to gig again with a neurosurgeon's blessing.

I do all the lifting now. We have 3 big totes, one for amps, one for a 4 channel p.a., and one for all the rest. Plus a duffle of mic and speaker stands. That and usually 2 guitars and 2 folding chairs. I use a small folding dolly. Getting things into and out of the bed of the truck is not easy.
About 2 weeks ago I broke my wrist. Not a big fracture but I will have to be well thought out going forward. I hope to have the splint off this week.


My mind drove my body too hard for years. Now I do pay for that.


Acoustic gigs are good! But usually it's worth setting up 2 amps and a p.a. when we need to.

Most times when I can I plan to do NOTHING the day after a gig. We like 2 hour gigs but will do 3 when needed. We both recuperate the next day as much as possible, eat, relax, nap, repeat. I am currently working Sundays, 6 hours, so Saturday gigs may be tricky. I am willing. I can split my shift so it won't be too bad.


Lumbar support is a very good idea, all the time. I take glucosamine chondroitin a lot and multi vitamins. BC Powder is a good friend! My mission is to play as long as I'm allowed. We sold everything and hit the road for real, the second time, in December of last year. I work where I can and we play gigs every chance we get. No leash but no net either. Mostly my physical challenges are manageable.

The benefits out weigh the pain so far.


Music and travel destroy prejudice.

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nacoran
10153 posts
Jul 22, 2019
11:31 AM
Our band played a small space once where I didn't even have room to shift my weight without knocking over the bass player. It was only an hour but I was nearly in tears by the end of the show.

I tried rack playing and it made my neck hurt something terrible. I think having your arms up to play a lot could stress your back too if you haven't practiced/exercised enough to keep the muscles toned. And that's before you get to the part about standing for hours. Good shoes, if you are sitting, a good seat. Maybe even get one of those pads they have for cashiers to stand on... just make sure it's actually for that. My friend complained and his company got him a computer mat designed for chairs to roll on, which was actually harder than the floor.

I take 2 hour walks pretty regularly and make sure I have good sneakers for it. I also have a routine where I make sure to take some ibuprofen and a tylenol about half an hour before I go out. I imagine that would help. My problem is more often with my feet. Not as bad now with good sneakers, but I still ice them afterwards sometimes. Heat for my back... (Being halfway to my weight loss goal has helped a lot too... 70 down, 70 to go.)

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jbone
2974 posts
Jul 22, 2019
4:11 PM
@Nate, impressive weight loss numbers! I've been fortunate with that, but when I do gain it's around my waist only. I would make a bad fat man!

Over many years, along with bad shoes and boots- the cheapies usually- my feet have slowly broken down. Neuropathy. It's a condition which can be managed but probably never healed or cured. Wearing better shoes and good insoles helps but whether or not I am on my feet too much they are still very sensitive to cool and cold. I work on my feet too. Only answer is to keep going forward!

Used to be when I stood for long periods holding harp and mic, and playing a lot, it affected my back between my shoulder blades. Plenty of chiropractic adjustments along the way did help.

I smoked cigs for 35 years and was thankfully relieved of that burden 8 years ago. I was told for years that smoking robs muscle tone. I usually had to have an adjustment from my chiro at least every 2 weeks. I am in much better shape physically now than I would have been otherwise. In fact being on the road the budget does not allow for adjustments so I have not had one for going on 2 years! I do try and treat my back better, not overdoing it with hard work or lifting or awkward efforts. We have a good bed as well which is a huge help.

I use a golf cart at work but there is still a lot of walking involved. I think it's always done me good.


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Spderyak
284 posts
Jul 23, 2019
5:08 AM
Sounds like the ablations didn't do the trick.
I'm not good for a 3 hr gig. I'm okay with a 2 hr gig, but basically we look for 1 hr afternoon gigs. Sometimes we run a bit long, but for us it's good some places only look for 50 minutes (but we have never played just that)

These days I bring ith me a tall chair that I strap my harp belts onto with the harps I need for that gig.
Since there is only 2 of us (husband, wife) My wife usually does a song or two where I can sit down..not every song needs a harp,,,(gasp).

Sometimes at practice I wear a velcro adjustable lumbar support waistband thing...but it tends to get warm wearing it. Haven't worn it to a gig as yet but it would be under my shirt if I do.
I wear an adjustable velcro foot support but no one sees that. I try to walk without a limp,,vain I guess..

Interestingly enough I feel no discomfort when I am actively playing, I have heard others say much the same. By and large no one in the audience would know anything other than they are enjoying the tunes.

A friend has one of those inversion tableswhere you can rest upside down or most any angle that you want.
I don't know if that would be of any help to you but my friend swears by it.
Good luck hope you find some relief.
Littoral
1690 posts
Jul 23, 2019
5:45 AM
I was having a lot of trouble in the big band. My back wanted to lock up and I think it was, like Nacoran said, from being stuck in one spot too long. Now I play in a duo with a lot more room, a whole lot more and my back hasn't hurt at all. Thanks for reminding me! :)

Last Edited by Littoral on Jul 23, 2019 5:45 AM


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