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Back problems...
- Thread starter Lance Bunyon
- Start date
Massage is good, also orthodox are quite helpful.
If it is arthritis related try some cbd oil if you can get it. I just got home from a jam and did a full set with my fender ash jazz which must weigh 12 lbs at least. I was afraid I was going to be in agony because I slipped and fell in the tub and hurt my back and ribs. Well the orthotics and a bit of cbd and I was fine. I go for a massage on Monday so I hope that helps to really loosen things up
If it is arthritis related try some cbd oil if you can get it. I just got home from a jam and did a full set with my fender ash jazz which must weigh 12 lbs at least. I was afraid I was going to be in agony because I slipped and fell in the tub and hurt my back and ribs. Well the orthotics and a bit of cbd and I was fine. I go for a massage on Monday so I hope that helps to really loosen things up
My back was so sore and aching that I had to sit at a major outdoor gig at the main stage of the Seattle Center and it sucked. I lost almost 50# and no more back pain at gigs. It is still stiff in the morning but, generally speaking, the severe back pain has gone away.
I'm 63 yrs old and can handle long (3+ hr) gigs pretty well. I play electric urb mostly and always stand up. Three things work for me - 1) regular exercise focusing on back and core strength (1 1/2 hrs in gym 3x per week plus lots of walking); 2) Good footwear - in summer its Birkenstocks, in winter its Swedish wool clogs (forget the brand but thick cushiony soles with thick socks) and 3) our band always uses carpets (we have 2 that cover the whole stage area). I do alot of woodworking in my spare time and use one of the foam cushion mats that others refer to in earlier posts.
i’m 53 and move around a lot when i play. staying still is the enemy.
i’m lucky as i have been able to run most days for the past 15 years but i find daily exercise makes a big difference to players at this age
i’m lucky as i have been able to run most days for the past 15 years but i find daily exercise makes a big difference to players at this age
What is the weight of your bass? Try a lighter one. Probably a semi hollow. Check your footwear. Your feet are your base and everything starts there. If you can lose a few pounds that will help. Get athletic. Weight training helps but swimming is better.
I'm 60 with a bad back and my 6 string is 10+ pounds. The Duostrap helps a lot. I would have no problem having a stool on stage to sit or lean on. Go watch the Cream reunion tour video. Jack Bruce had a stool he used. I didn't see anyone having a problem with it. Whatever helps you make music.
If you are having pain/back problems your first impulse should be to see a doctor.
Bolded: Both yoga and a consistent gym workout with lower back exercises would be beneficial to you after you are cleared by your doctor to do so.
Im 50, and deal with a variety of aches and pains that are alleviated by working out with weights (i also try to do a fair amount of cardio throughout the week).
Based on what I see when Im out and about I think the vast majority of people these days simply don't understand how important a good workout is to overall health and well being. If I go more than two days without hitting the gym I literally start feeling like a fat, lumpy bowel of jello and my various aches and pains start manifesting themselves. A good workout makes that feeling go away.
Honestly, our bodies weren't meant to be sedentary/inactive or lightly used. They are basically organic machines that will fall apart if not used/exercised regularly.
I have five pieces of advice to offer:
1. Keep your knees slightly bent! Don't stand with your knees locked straight.
2. Move around as much as you can. We humans were designed to move around a lot, not to stand still or sit still for long periods.
3. Get a thick foam comfort mat designed for standing at the kitchen sink at Home Depot or Lowe's, or your favorite home goods store. Put it down on stage on the spot where you normally stand when you are standing still. They are magical.
4. Adopt a regular exercise routine that includes walking.
5. If you sit at work during the day, read up on workplace ergonomics and make sure your desk is configured ergonomically, and you are sitting properly in a good, ergonomic chair.
1. Keep your knees slightly bent! Don't stand with your knees locked straight.
2. Move around as much as you can. We humans were designed to move around a lot, not to stand still or sit still for long periods.
3. Get a thick foam comfort mat designed for standing at the kitchen sink at Home Depot or Lowe's, or your favorite home goods store. Put it down on stage on the spot where you normally stand when you are standing still. They are magical.
4. Adopt a regular exercise routine that includes walking.
5. If you sit at work during the day, read up on workplace ergonomics and make sure your desk is configured ergonomically, and you are sitting properly in a good, ergonomic chair.
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I started having problems in my lower back after I had a meniscus operation on my left knee.
probably due to the fact that I worked as a cameraman and tried to compensate the sensitive knee with my lower back. When the first pains and pangs started to appear, I went to a physiotherapist, that thought me exercises and gave me massages. That helped, but not for long.
So when the pains continued, I went to my family doctor.
He sent me to a Mensendieck-therapist (Mensendieck system - Wikipedia).
She did some research about how I walked, stood, worked while standing and sitting behind a computer or desk, how I held the the camera and bass while standing and more. Then she gave me a specific set of exercises, that had to be done at least twice a day or more often, depending on the pains in the back.
She also gave me some corrections in standing while working.
I had to put in some effort, but the pains in my lower back mostly disappear within a week, once I start to do those exercises regularly. So maybe this therapy is something to consider, it worked with me.
probably due to the fact that I worked as a cameraman and tried to compensate the sensitive knee with my lower back. When the first pains and pangs started to appear, I went to a physiotherapist, that thought me exercises and gave me massages. That helped, but not for long.
So when the pains continued, I went to my family doctor.
He sent me to a Mensendieck-therapist (Mensendieck system - Wikipedia).
She did some research about how I walked, stood, worked while standing and sitting behind a computer or desk, how I held the the camera and bass while standing and more. Then she gave me a specific set of exercises, that had to be done at least twice a day or more often, depending on the pains in the back.
She also gave me some corrections in standing while working.
I had to put in some effort, but the pains in my lower back mostly disappear within a week, once I start to do those exercises regularly. So maybe this therapy is something to consider, it worked with me.
You need to stretch before playing. I damaged my shoulder and collarbone. So I know at times it can be painful. What helped me was a lighter bass. But stretching really helped a lot. I would keep 2 Aleve with you. They do work. But extra Strength Tylenol are safer for the body.
17 years with lower back issues have taught me that standing still and sitting down are the worst things you can do for your lower back. But of course everyone's back issues are different and there's a few things that have helped me get through gigs.
Move around on stage as much as possible.
When you are standing still, stand with your knees bent a little bit. This will take a lot of strain off your lower back.
Get the drummer to load your cab in & out.
And like others have mentioned see a physio and get some exercises to do regularly and before you go on stage.
Move around on stage as much as possible.
When you are standing still, stand with your knees bent a little bit. This will take a lot of strain off your lower back.
Get the drummer to load your cab in & out.
And like others have mentioned see a physio and get some exercises to do regularly and before you go on stage.
Treat Your Own Back 9th Ed. | Robin McKenzie | OPTP
Surgery is a last resort. Try everything else first. For ten bucks, the book above is a world wide best seller on the topic. Well worth checking it out.
Surgery is a last resort. Try everything else first. For ten bucks, the book above is a world wide best seller on the topic. Well worth checking it out.
Recliner, headless paddle-style bass, and medication of choice...even Perry Como was kinda laid back.
Riis
Riis
Everything that has been mentioned about weight, core strength, posture, etc. is good advice. Shoes with good arch support have really helped me with sore back after playing on hard surface.
I'm 52 and I have some back pain issues. I suddenly feel like a very old man in writing this, lol!
I have found that:
- Getting a neostrap was a game changer and made a huge difference.
- Shoes with good arch support. Flat shoes, like Converse Chuck's, made for a very tired back when I had to play 3 or 4 hours standing.
-Yoga is awesome.
I have found that:
- Getting a neostrap was a game changer and made a huge difference.
- Shoes with good arch support. Flat shoes, like Converse Chuck's, made for a very tired back when I had to play 3 or 4 hours standing.
-Yoga is awesome.
I don't see on your info page where you live, but here in Nashville there are several stores that sell used office equipment. One had about 75 stools once when I called so the wife and I drove downtown and I spent about an hour sitting in every one of them. Yes, every one. I found about three that would work, and bought one that has back support. The chair had just enough movement that I can flex or just sit still. I'll get a photo of it as I leave it at church. I think I paid about $50 or so but I looked it up later and the new cost was around $300. I sit on about 2/3 of the songs and no one mentions it at all. Do what you need to do is the best advice, and if you live near a large city, look up used office equipment stores.
