Help my back

[Coach Rich]

I’m not sure which forum I should start this thread? I’m 53 and have chronic lower back pain. No accidents or anything like that. I guess I’m just falling apart? I do see a chiropractor and because of this am pretty much pain free.

Then a play a gig or even just go to a rehearsal for a couple hours and my lower back is really hurting towards the end. What ive been doing:

1. I tend to stick with headless basses for better ergonomics and lighter weight

2. I stretch before playing

3. I take a pain killer before playing.

4. Try to stop in to the chiropractor the next day.

Any other suggestions? I don’t quite want to give up and be a sit down player yet if I can avoid it.

 

[pingvuiini]

Perhaps try uke sized basses (23" scale)?? The Kala Solid Body U-Bass (center) is extremely well made for the price point and would be a good way of testing out the uke bass waters. Very light, compact (even more so than normal scale headless basses) and tons of fun to play.

 

[ajkula66]

Any other suggestions? I don’t quite want to give up and be a sit down player yet if I can avoid it.

Well seeing a doctor and getting an MRI as soon as possible would be my first suggestion. It's better to know what's going on than just guess, at least IMO.

I'm not a fan of painkillers in any shape or form unless prescribed after major injury/surgery, and even then for a specified (short) amount of time. Another thing to run by your doctor.

This is coming from someone who's been playing seated for years - and will be doing so for the rest of his life - mostly due to an injury which I wasn't even aware of for quite some time...until an MRI picked up on it.

Wishing you nothing but the very best.

Good luck.

 

[DrBnz]

1. How old is your mattress - get a new one - FIRM not with the cushy pillow top.
2. Have you watched a video of yourself - meaning, how's your posture while playing.
3. Hows your weight? Is your back holding up your beer reservoir.

 

[red_rhino]

Well seeing a doctor and getting an MRI as soon as possible would be my first suggestion. It's better to know what's going on than just guess, at least IMO.

Absolutely agree. There's a lot of things that can contribute to lower back pain. A past injury, a degenerative condition, simple posture or muscle weakness. What is your chiropractor telling you?

 

[smeet]

If you are able to exercise, strengthening your core muscles can really help. Also, learning and using proper posture is important. If you work on a computer all day you may have a rounded upper back, which can contribute to back pain.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Hey Coach — Take video of yourself playing - do you play standing or sitting? Does your back also hurt after you practice at home on your own?

I’m 52. One thing that destroys my lower back when playing is if I play slightly leaning forward… I noticed this would happen if I play guitar standing up. I learned to stand perfectly upright and relaxed. The LBP is completely gone. Maybe it’s a similar postural thing for you? Feel better!

 

[ga_edwards]

My back sometimes kills me after a gig. I've taken measures to use the most ergonomic and lightweight gig basses at my disposal - playing a Wariwck Thumb for a number of years made me realise how important ergonomics and balance are.

However, it's not just the playing that makes my back ache; it's the load-in, setting-up, tear-down, and packing of our collective gear and PA system. (Most UK pubs and function suites do not have pre-installed PA systems!) By the time I get home, I feel broken, particularly if we haven't gigged for a few weeks. As such, I wear a back belt when loading in, setting up, etc. It massively helps and offers some protection.

And whilst I don't use a bass amp/cab at gigs anymore, I've just taken delivery of a GR Bass powered speaker, as I am fed up with carting my headrush frfr speaker around. The headush is really a two-hand carry, but it's just about manageable with one hand over very short distances. The new GR Bass speaker is so much lighter; it's ridiculous. I can lift it with one finger! It feels lighter than my bass in a gig bag!

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

You may want to discuss with your chiropractor specific exercises aimed at opening up your hips more. It has a huge effect on lower back and knee pain. Take this with the necessary amount of salt, as I am neither a chiropractor nor an expert - it is working for my lower back and knee pain, and that's all the responsibility I will assume for the advice I just gave: "it works for me".

 

[Zooberwerx]

Any other suggestions? I don’t quite want to give up and be a sit down player yet if I can avoid it.

Not easy being an aging rocker, eh? Sometimes, concessions must be made. I use a taller stool (brand?) which I lean into a la Jeff Skunk Baxter. I'm 6'4" and still end up taller than Cosette (5'1").

Have you conferred with an ortho who specializes in lower back pain?

Riis

 

[Five or Six]

Shoes? What type and are they orthotic? Ask your Chiropractor what is best. "GOOD" shoes make a world of difference. A floor mat (cushioned) for in front of your mic stand helps to. Talk to your band! Make sure they understand what's going on so you don't hurt yourself trying to lift / carry equipment that is too heavy. Let the youngins do that.

 

[murphy]

yes..shoes are life changing....New Balance....even Sketchers arch support.

yoga.....or swimming if you can....strengthens core muscles that support back.

Wear a weight lifting back support belt

 

[murphy]

Wheels....all my gear moves on wheels....dollys and carts

 

[Aledal]

Coach... there are few good suggestions above (Right posture, right shoes, exercising and strengthening back muscles etc) but I would strongly recommend going to a 'real' doctor and emphasising how much pain you're in and how inhibitive it is to what you're looking to do with your back.

Firstly and anecdotally, I would rethink everything you're doing at the moment. Chiropractory is very often a practice that gives temporary relief but does nothing to alleviate the root cause of back issues. In my experience, it made my back feel great for 12 hours, ok for 48 hours and then I'd be back to limping around and feeling sorry for myself...there are a lot of journal articles about how it can be more destructive in the long term than remedial. Get an MRI and follow the MDs advice.

Painkillers are fine if they work and by taking them you don't exacerbate the pain for when they've worn off.

If you smoke, try to decrease or quit, it's something I never thought would be connected but is.

Make sure you're doing the right stretches to help and start doing them twice a day. I can PM a list of resources for these kinds of stretches to you if you'd like.

If you have someone that practices the Alexander Technique anywhere near you and it's cleared by your MD, go try it. They pull the ligaments and tendons connected to your back rather than just stretch your back...worked wonders for me.

Good luck and Godspeed.

 

[jimmydean]

Think about using a chair , I have begun playing sitting down for most of my gigs for up to 50% of the three or four set gigs .

 

[boombloom]

Another shoe recommendation. I was suffering from a herniated disc. PT recommended Altra shoes. Zero drop and wide toe box. Heel and toes at the same level. This has made a huge difference. altrarunning.com

 

[dalkowski]

I'm a fan of chiropractic, but I'd say your job #1 is to get a definitive medical diagnosis. Job #2 (with physician OK) is core strengthening, which is a life's work. And +1 to all the other suggestions for comfort above, including dialing back meds.

 

[Kacey Y]

Doing low/no impact calisthenics and stretching regularly would probably help. If you're having joint stiffness/pain, you might also want to consider taking glucosamine & chondroitin complex. Good posture, lighter gear, checking your posture, stretching and taking an NSAID before you play, icing after, all seem like good stuff, the things I mentioned will just improve your foundation by improving mobility. I have chronic muscle and joint issues and those helped me reduce my pain tremendously. I do about 15-20 mins of stretching and very light resistance exercise for my back, hamstrings, hip flexors, shoulders, and wrists in the morning, 4-5 days a week and take the G&C with my breakfast every day.

 

[braud357]

I recently turned 71 y/o, and have had back issues for many years. I came to the conclusion a couple of years ago that I needed to start playing seated. I informed my bandmates of my decision and the reason behind it. Thankfully they have supported my decision. Anyone that would belittle a player for playing seated is a inconciderate A/H !

 

[InhumanResource]

I’m not sure which forum I should start this thread? I’m 53 and have chronic lower back pain. No accidents or anything like that. I guess I’m just falling apart? I do see a chiropractor and because of this am pretty much pain free.

Then a play a gig or even just go to a rehearsal for a couple hours and my lower back is really hurting towards the end. What ive been doing:

1. I tend to stick with headless basses for better ergonomics and lighter weight

2. I stretch before playing

3. I take a pain killer before playing.

4. Try to stop in to the chiropractor the next day.

Any other suggestions? I don’t quite want to give up and be a sit down player yet if I can avoid it.

This sounds like something that strengthening the area with exercise can help, but please ask an actual doctor (not the chiropractor) if it is persistent.