Neck pain

[Elemetal]

I was wondering if anyone else experiences neck pain while playing classical sitting on a stool. I talked to other bass players and they feel the neck pain too but they just say they play through it. But sometimes mine get so bad I can barely move in that area at all. It usually starts coming after 45 minutes-1 hour of practices and me practicing about 3-6 hours a day It gets quite bad. I usually do hour intervals because of this but sometimes I have to giv'er in all one shot because of other obligations such as class and all that.

[jallenbass]

First, go to a good massage therapist just to get the muscles functioning again. Next, go find an Alexander teacher to figure out how to use your body correctly.

[thedbassist]

Originally Posted by jallenbass

First, go to a good massage therapist just to get the muscles functioning again. Next, go find an Alexander teacher to figure out how to use your body correctly.

+1, especially for seeing an Alexander teacher.

[Elemetal]

What is an Alexander teacher?

[BMason]

It's possible you've pinched a nerve. German or French bow?

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Elemetal

What is an Alexander teacher?

A very good suggestion.

click here for alexandertechnique.com

In addition to massage I have used acupuncture to assist me in relaxing and moving properly.

[Elemetal]

Originally Posted by BMason

It's possible you've pinched a nerve. German or French bow?

I don't really know what it has to do with anything what bow I play but I play French mainly. I used to play German. Maybe I'm more tense in my shoulders playing french bow than with german. Though I find myself pretty relaxed when I play until my Pain starts then I find myself tensing up. As a student I don't know if I can afford Accupuncture and Massage therapy. Is there other methods?

[ariwax]

What you are experiencing does not sound like a pinched nerve. It's most likely a muscle spasm. It occurs because you are tensing a muscle to the point of injuring it; it's under more stress than it's designed to handle, so after 45 minutes it starts to spasm. Eventually, if you "play through it," you can develop small tears in the muscle and ultimately the tendons that bind muscle to bone. You need to rest the muscle, to let it heal, and then see a professional to learn how to use it correctly. I am a neurologist, by the way.

[Elemetal]

I can't let it rest because I have a Performance that I'm graded on in a few weeks. My practice time has to be at it's peak right now. Could massage therapy be a "quick" fix because I really need something to get me through the next few weeks. What's the best short term option at the moment and then what is the Long term option I should take over the christmas holidays?

[Uncletoad]

Stop.

Your body is trying to tell you something.

You are doing something wrong in your practice. That movement, or balance problem or some other issue with how you are using your body is causing you pain. When you ignore it, it gets worse. That's your body trying to get your attention.

Your panic and impatience will make everything worse. If you ignore your body's alarm system this tension will create serious physical problems that could get worse if you ignore them.

Your tension doesn't really care about how much money or time you have, it doesn't care what deadlines you are on, it will hurt you all the same. The issue is you must address this properly now or risk long term complications that will make today's inconvenience seem simple.

Stop.

Find the money.

Find the resource.

Discuss this with your bass instructor. 3 people have suggested Alexander Technique. The neurologist is suggesting you may need to see a physician.

Ignore all the advice if you want to, there is no quick fix to your problem. It's gone to far already.

[Eric Hochberg]

All the above suggestions are good. I found a book on trigger point therapy by Clair Davies helpful for my muscle pain. Might be worth looking into.

[CT DB]

try a chiropractor, we specialize in that sort of thing.

[koricancowboy]

Originally Posted by Elemetal

I can't let it rest because I have a Performance that I'm graded on in a few weeks. My practice time has to be at it's peak right now. Could massage therapy be a "quick" fix because I really need something to get me through the next few weeks. What's the best short term option at the moment and then what is the Long term option I should take over the christmas holidays?

The quick fix is to listen to your body so you can play when your 50 or 60 and not stop when your twenty five from debilitating injuries. But if a grade is worth more then...

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by koricancowboy

The quick fix is to listen to your body so you can play when your 50 or 60 and not stop when your twenty five from debilitating injuries. But if a grade is worth more then...

You've got that exactly right. I just taught a young player for the first time and he told me he had to lay off a year due to injury. Another young bassist I know has had to stop altogether and may not come back.

One of the best jazz players in Chicago had to lay off for many years while he recovered. I've been playing just about nonstop for 35 years now, with a 3 week layoff a couple of years ago due to RSI. Since then I've managed it through various means.

Back off and get some therapy for your neck, whether with a professional, or by yourself by changing your approach. Don't screw around with this kind of thing.

[prelims222]

You really should Stop playing when you are in pain.

One way to think of this, simplistically, is that when you are experiencing neck pain, you are not using yourself well. This means you aren't playing the bass as well as you could. This means that even if you get an A on this Jury or Exam, you will not have resolved any of the real and systemic issues that are going to present themselves over and over in the future.

Assuming you don't have a serious injury/trauma, something like Alexander lessons would be a really good step in helping you resolve these issues.

In a similar vein, but different approach, Feldenkrais method is also effective at helping you break up response patterns and get a more informed perspective on what it feels like to use yourself well. I think John Tarr (Feldenkrais teacher and musician) has some short podcasts you can download for free that might be useful.

One thing to think about - as a musician, you rely on your body as your tool to express yourself in the physical world. If you don't work on how you use your body, you are limiting yourself in your work on using your instrument.

[David Potts]

Three steps?

Approach a Physiotherapist to break up the pain and advise you on stretches and exercises.

Review your seated or standing position, your posture and your movements with your teacher or an Alexander person who understands musicians' needs.

Take care of not just your neck but your whole body by ongoing exercises and stretches, both general and specific for our instrument.

Best wishes

DP

[THE SAW]

Boy, you gotta get your neck in top shape-like a 'rassler would. First of all, see a DOCTOR, that is, a guy WITH A MEDICAL DEGREE an MD, yknow?

Forget all this BS about chiroprotologists, and message-they are after your money and will make you worse.

You DO need physical therapy and perhaps medication, again from the advice of a Doctor, y'know, the guy WHO WENT TO MED SCHOOL and actually graduated.

Best of luck, young feller.....

[Alex Jenkins]

Of all the trolls here on TB, I would say The Saw is the worst. I'd much rather read Prof. Slinky.

Like seriously, dude. You're not funny. At least Slinky is funny. Just stop.

[THE SAW]

Kid Squanto-

I gave the young man my honest advice-see a doctor, get the proper meds if necessary and avoid rip-off artists.

We had a lot of brash young men like yourselves over in Golden CO when I was a student-throwing trash at people they didn't agree with. Go ahead and ridicule me all you want, I'm old, I'm not funny-I know.

Guess what? Maybe the good Lord will take me tomorrow and you won't have to suffer through my babbling nonsense.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by THE SAW

avoid rip-off artists.

e.g...?