Back injury and possibly having to quit band

[Octaves]

Lower back injury in lumbar area. Possibly a slipped disc. Sustained it while bending over on weekend, spent two days laying down in pain; am still nowhere near functional three days later (walking very slowly, everything takes three times as long). Osteo reported degenerative discs in lumbar area about 8 months ago, too much walking or standing usually results in dull aching back.

Am kind of thinking band is the last thing on my mind right now. Need time to get my back back on track.

Has anybody here had a back injury and continued to play in a band? Weekly rehearsals only at the moment.

 

[RoadRanger]

Can't you leave a second small amp at the rehearsal space and play sitting for now?

 

[bassbully]

The drummer in my band has had five major back surgeries. He limits how long he can play and we help carry and setup his equipment. It limits him some but he's still agreat drummer. Good luck.

 

[DirtDog]

Take it easy and get better but don't quit - play smarter, not harder, in the short run (get help lifting, sit if necessary). But it's not the end of the world (I hope).

I'll share a couple of anecdotes - good buddy of mine, professional firefighter, was in hospital for several weeks with a job-related back injury. He bounced back from that and did 11 Iron Man triathlons, one with a PB in the sub 11 hour range. 15 years later and he's still in fightin' shape. Me, I did a good number on my back moving 60,000 lbs of concrete by hand one weekend a few years ago. Paid dearly for that for two years, but minimal back issues these days. Can practice weekly and gig twice monthly and nary a twinge AND I hump by bass gear and a full PA. Just don't ask me about my Achilles tendon issues!

Take it easy a bit and get well, but don't give it all up. Where there's a will there's a way.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I've had back problems since I was 17. Some days there is no pain at all and some days I'm really uncomfortable. I would say try sitting while you play and wear a back support belt. Hopefully your bandmates will help with the loading chores for a while. Have you consulted a chiropractor or a physician? I would also recommend that.

 

[Bodeanly]

I had spinal surgery in '04. They had to carry me into the hospital, but I was able to walk out the next day. Invest in a 9v tens unit (about 15 bucks on Amazon). It will change your life. I never even considered giving up gigging, but the doc ordered no basses over ten pounds. I'm also not supposed to carry the PA or drums... I mean, that's what I tell my bandmates.

 

[bass12]

I had a lumbar sprain a year-and-a-half ago. Five days in bed and about three weeks to feel "normal" again. I can still feel an ache in that same spot on my back but so far so good (I got back to gigging a few weeks after the injury occurred). Lumbar sprains are apparently very common. I talked to a doctor to told me that if he X-rayed me he'd find... the back of a 40 year old and that I was best to just strengthen my core to avoid similar injuries in the future. One thing is for sure, though: carrying and moving equipment is best done carefully. Lifting a cabinet? Get a friend to help (even if it makes you feel like less of a man ). Don't wear your bass case over one shoulder only and distribute weight evenly whenever you can. Stretch every morning.

 

[jive1]

3 herniated discs here. Luckily, I can still gig so far. Here's my tips:
- Get a good bed/mattress. When I was couch surfing, my back was the worst it was. Standing for more than a few minutes would get my leg numb.
- Lift properly, and don't lift too much. There's lots of great rigs I would love to play through, but my back won't let me use them. I try not to have any piece of equipment weigh more than 40 lbs. I use hand carts, and whatever possible to make the load in properly.
- Don't load when exhausted. When you're exhausted, you're less likely to use proper form to lift, and more likely to aggravate an injury.
- Get a good strap and bass that balances on your properly. Even though most of the weight is on your shoulder, if the bass causes you to hunch or bend sideways, it's time to get a replacement. The slight change of back alignment for a period of time can cause significant discomfort later.
- If you must sit down, get something with back support and promotes good posture. For me, sitting on a stool for a long time can cause as much, if not more discomfort than standing up because the stool might cause me to hunch over.
- Work on your posture. It will help over time.

 

[tycobb73]

I have cerebral palsy and all the back issues that come with it. I play standing against a wall. My cabs are Schroeder 12+L. 20lbs. I can carry them easily and if others offer to help it's no big deal.

 

[MrLenny1]

Lower back, lumbar area, disc. 20 years now.
Get steroid injections 2 x a year.
Advil and ice in between.
Pain killers and some booze.
Weekend warrior.

 

[sm49341]

Give your back time before you make a rash decision.i have moderate RA. I Recently went to using lightweight rig. Markbass little markiii I carry in a laptop bag (6.5 lbs) And my cab is a Hartke HyDrive 112. (27 lbs) It's enough speaker cuz I run thru FOH. A 2nd speaker would be nice if I had no hookup to FOH. Many lightweight amp options these days, I'm not saying my setup is better than another lightweight. Try a bunch of them. I'm elated that I can easily move my rig up any stairs, and the sound is pretty fine.

 

[Johnny Crab]

With one leg about 1.5 inch shorter(per Houston Oilers ortho-doc) than the other(motorcycle and I got runover 40+ years ago), vert's 3-4-5 are really angry if I overdo things. If they get too angry(i.e. can't stand up straight or walk without pain), I climb aboard the inversion table for about 15 minutes. 5 minutes of rocking, 5 minutes of 45 degree angle rocking, and then 5 minutes of full inversion(invert for 20-30 seconds, twist while inverted, and push with your hands into your spine to loosen it up). If feeling really frisky, inverted situps are extreme.
Keeps a 60 year old from chiropractors and pain pills/Advil, etc.

Got this one a LONG time ago after watching his info-mercial AND reading about the military and sports folks that used these and benefitted from them.
Welcome to Teeter!

Still play in a band?
80 to 90 shows per year, sometimes 2 gigs in one day....when that happens, the short scale flyweight basses get called off the bench to serve.

 

[PauFerro]

I would consider using a stand that holds your bass for you. You stand behind the bass and play it. This takes all the pressure off your spine. I use one for a situation where I play both standard electric bass and piccolo bass in the same songs, switching between instruments. This is the appliance I use to support my bass on a microphone stand...it works really well. I just wish it was made of metal rather than plastic, but it has held up for a year of gigging now...it is far less expensive than other alternatives, and I like it a lot. I had a broken spine years ago and so there are times when I need it for just playing regular bass...

https://www.amazon.com/MBrace-MBR-1...71904177&sr=8-1&keywords=walk+up+guitar+stand

 

[Kukulkan61]

Hang in there Boss, do whatever you have to do to get your back well and when your ready you can just adapt improvise and overcome, lost my lefty in a MC accident May 2 2015 after I healed up and started walking I jumped back into the Music thing,every gig Ive had so far I alternate standing and sitting and the band members are all to kind to help me shlepp my gear, I cant and refuse not to let this unfortunate thing change who i am...Get well and I wish you a quick and painless recovery...

 

[Misfit Wookiee]

A couple of years ago I went through the worst pain in my back that I had ever experienced. I was 40 and thought my warranty had expired. As it turns out, I sprained my back and ended up re-injuring it before it fully healed. I still have pain, to the point where I can't stand for longer than about 15 minutes until I need to sit again.

When I was playing with my previous band, we had weekly practices and I ended up sitting on a stool throughout. There were times where I had to cancel my participation because of the pain, but they were very accommodating. The only gig we had ended up being difficult for me, but I survived (and had a GREAT show, but I'm biased).

 

[T Bassman]

I blew out my L4/L5 when I was 21, and I'm mid 40's now. Definitely uncomfortable at times, but you will get better and will play again. Once the healing begins I found physical activity the best thing to improve mobility etc, and choosing a lighter weight bass if you don't have one already. I also gave up my Ampegs and run 2 lightweight Aggie cabs and a Markbass now unless backline is provided. Oh, and good insoles in your boots will help onstage too. Sorry to hear you're going through this man. It will get better

 

[Ant Illington]

Lower back injury in lumbar area. Possibly a slipped disc. Sustained it while bending over on weekend, spent two days laying down in pain; am still nowhere near functional three days later (walking very slowly, everything takes three times as long). Osteo reported degenerative discs in lumbar area about 8 months ago, too much walking or standing usually results in dull aching back.

Am kind of thinking band is the last thing on my mind right now. Need time to get my back back on track.

Has anybody here had a back injury and continued to play in a band? Weekly rehearsals only at the moment.

A stand and a stool like Tony Markellis uses. Hard to see in pic linked below but the bass is totally supported by a stand.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[jamro217]

Twisted my back into a pretzel at work on tax day of '93. Six months of torture and insurance "Doctors" telling me I was just trying to collect on a bad back claim. Finally went to see a chiropractor (the insurance quacks had denied access to) after comp had run out and I was free to seek whatever type of medical help I chose. Within three weeks I was walking again and back to work shortly after that. I joined a band 6 years later and was lugging my gear around like everybody else. I still go to the chiropractor, but I haven't missed any time out of work and still can do quite a few physically demanding chores. Every injury is different, but there is hope for you, no matter what some of the white coated hoes say.

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Lower back injury in lumbar area. Possibly a slipped disc. Sustained it while bending over on weekend, spent two days laying down in pain; am still nowhere near functional three days later (walking very slowly, everything takes three times as long). Osteo reported degenerative discs in lumbar area about 8 months ago, too much walking or standing usually results in dull aching back.

Am kind of thinking band is the last thing on my mind right now. Need time to get my back back on track.

Has anybody here had a back injury and continued to play in a band? Weekly rehearsals only at the moment.

I have two compressed disks, a benign tumor that presses on a spinal nerve, and severe arthritis in my lumbar spine. I'm not _that_ old but I have a history of lots of back injuries from lifting, accidents, etc.

My recommendation is to be careful lifting things, bending, etc, but DON'T QUIT YOUR BAND. Just get an equipment cart and ask for help if you need to move anything heavy.

 

[theduke1]

I am 5 weeks removed from major back surgery. Prior to my surgery I've been sitting for most of my gigs, I went to Genz Benz gear years ago, and my bandmates help me lift and tote. I use a cart to roll my gear to the front door and another to roll to the van.
Hang in there and find ways to lessen the load.
I may add that I was told 5 years ago that I had spinal stenosis so my pain and functional movement has lessened over the years.
Good luck
Duke