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Help my back

#61
Great thread for me, I’m in the same boat at 65.

I use a strap that can be worn as a harness but I double up the two straps over my left shoulder so it looks the same. I think it was mentioned above. But the big advantage for me is that it also fastens around my waist, relieving my back of much of the weight of my bass. (I untuck my shirt so it not visible to the audience.) Someday I might need to use it as a harness but not yet.
 
#62
Govner22 said:
Great thread for me, I’m in the same boat at 65.

I use a strap that can be worn as a harness but I double up the two straps over my left shoulder so it looks the same. I think it was mentioned above. But the big advantage for me is that it also fastens around my waist, relieving my back of much of the weight of my bass. (I untuck my shirt so it not visible to the audience.) Someday I might need to use it as a harness but not yet.
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The one I use is from a company called Slinger. It’s been a huge help. Good luck.
 
#63
I got bass-playing related injuries. I got a disc removed from my neck and got carpel tunnel on both wrists.

My advice is to take it easy. Make sure you got the right posture. Trade your heavy basses w lighter ones, or modify them to make them lighter. Play sitting on long gigs especially if your bass is heavy.

Good luck.
 
#65
I haven't read the other posts, I'm just gonna tell ya: I couldn't afford one of those electric stand-up basses, so I stuck my fretless bass in a guitar stand (one of those shorty stands that's just two legs with holders, joined at the top), put the stand + bass on top of the (1x15) bass amp, and stood behind it so I could play it like a double bass. This removed all issues with shoulder fatigue and really lets me grab onto the thing, because it doesn't move. Bass amp just needs big enough top area for the stand (in my case a Markbass Players School)
 
#66
Pilgrim said:
I approach chiropractors with a GREAT DEAL of reserve. Too many of them claim they can do things they can't, and too many of them give you temporary relief that only masks the real causes. I do agree there are some things they can help - but their entire industry is famous for overpromising and claiming benefits they can't deliver. I don't view chiropractors as the complete solution for any physical problem.
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Yeah, I touched on it upthread, but my good lady wife and I both work closely with neurologists, she herself in direct patient care. More than your great deal of reserve, I avoid chiropractors completely. We have both seen and heard tell of some absolutely horrible injuries inflicted on people by chiropractic “adjustments”, serious nerve and spinal cord type issues.

So, no thank you, I ain’t playing Russian roulette with my peripheral nervous system.
 
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#69
This may sound crazy, but my father-in-law works construction (home builder) and he was having severe lower back pain a few years ago, he was diagnosed with a Gluten allergy, and it was causing his back pain! He cut out the gluten and no more pain! If he eats anything with gluten his back will hurt the next day! Just a thought!
 
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#70
Pilgrim said:
I've never done biz with an Osteopath, so I can't comment about them.
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I actually just recently learned "Osteopath" and "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine" are completely different!
"Osteopath" = another massage therapist with extra pseudo science (also called "Manual Osteopath" )
"Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine" = real doctor with a medical PHD.
en.wikipedia.org

Osteopathy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Either one may be referred to as a "DO"
Caveat Emptor...
 
#71
Back pain is very common. Most people will have it at some point in their lives.

1. See a doctor. If you experience pain when performing specific functions or in certani positions, or it's lasted more than a week or two, or it involves weakness or tingling, it's time to see a specialist. A PT or a physiatrist (a PCP for the back) or an orthpedic physician will do a workup by cheking for tenderness, range of motion, strength during various movements, and may order imaging studies. Only after finding out what the issue is (or at least what it isn't) should you move on to addressing the cause. There are different treatment options for herniated discs, arthritis, and persistent muscle strain. Find out what's going on. It might involve getting an MRI, which means having a doctor with experience dealing with insurance companies.

2. Be prepared to do physical therapy. (After seeing a professional.) It may be paid for by insurance, it may be home exercises (after you're cleared by a doctor). If you have pain or weakness that can't be addressed by surgery odds are building up surrounding muscle tissue helps movement and pain by offloading mechanical stress.

3. Weight loss. I don't know your situation, but additional weight can make a big difference in the amount and level of pain one experiences. There's a lot of medical evidence showing an association between chronic lower back pain and being overweight.
 
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#72
FretRiff said:
Back pain is very common. Most people will have it at some point in their lives.

1. See a doctor. If you experience pain when performing specific functions or in certani positions, or it's lasted more than a week or two, or it involves weakness or tingling, it's time to see a specialist. A PT or a physiatrist (a PCP for the back) or an orthpedic physician will do a workup by cheking for tenderness, range of motion, strength during various movements, and may order imaging studies. Only after finding out what the issue is (or at least what it isn't) should you move on to addressing the cause. There are different treatment options for herniated discs, arthritis, and persistent muscle strain. Find out what's going on. It might involve getting an MRI, which means having a doctor with experience dealing with insurance companies.

2. Be prepared to do physical therapy. (After seeing a professional.) It may be paid for by insurance, it may be home exercises (after you're cleared by a doctor). If you have pain or weakness that can't be addressed by surgery odds are building up surrounding muscle tissue helps movement and pain by offloading mechanical stress.

3. Weight loss. I don't know your situation, but additional weight can make a big difference in the amount and level of pain one experiences. There's a lot of medical evidence showing an association between chronic lower back pain and being overweight.
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Agree with all of this. I got back into playing regularly after 15 years away due to life, family, etc. I also made a lot of poor lifestyle choices during that time and found myself quite overweight, and getting a very sore back after just a two hour rehearsal.

Then I had a health scare last year that could've been something very serious, but after a bunch of tests, turned out to be no big deal. It was a freaky month or two though while I was going in for all the tests, imaging, etc. That was the kick in the pants I really needed to start taking my health more seriously. Eat and drink a little less, move a little more, it may not be easy, but it's not complicated either.

I'm down about 30 lbs and no longer get a sore back standing and playing bass for a few hours. Also, my joints feel better overall. Maybe it shouldn't have taken a potentially fatal diagnosis for me to get here, but I'm in a much better place.
 
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#74
smeet said:
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.
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Obviously seek medical advice as a first measure. But I found the above to be very true for me. Strengthening back muscles and correcting postures is huge. After completing PT for some shoulder issues, I joined a gym and started meeting with a trainer periodically. While everyone's situation is different, working out has been an absolute game changer for my back and shoulder pain. And yes, rounded shoulders is a thing! Both my physical therapist and my trainer bark at me when they see it. :)
 
#75
1st, see a doctor. 2nd, I found that a steady exercise regimen working the core makes all the difference, at least for me. Not only has it made playing painless it also aides in keeping everyday exertions pain free.
 
#76
Lower back strain during long sets usually comes down to the pelvis shifting the second fatigue kicks in. I’m currently dealing with some disc alignment issues from years of bad posture while practicing, and it's a grind to fix.

I use Revival Chiropractic specifically because they don't just guess where the shift is, they use neurological assessments and thermography to see exactly how the nerves in the lumbar region are reacting to the strain.

It’s a research-driven approach that actually reteaches the body how to hold its own weight under tension. If you're feeling that pull in your lower back, getting a look at the actual nerve stress map is more effective than just trying to stretch through it.
 
#77
Coach Rich said:
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.
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Any other suggestions? I don’t quite want to give up and be a sit down player yet if I can avoid it.
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Sounds like you’re already doing a lot of the right things. One thing that can make a big difference is your strap — a wider, well-padded strap can really help distribute the weight better.
Also worth checking your playing posture and bass height. Sometimes even small adjustments can take a lot of strain off your lower back.
 
#79
Coach Rich said:
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.
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Have you videoed your self while playing standing up?

Perhaps your posture is contributing to your LBP. I might suggest concentrating on upright posture, shoulders back and straight, and maintaining the normal lordosis of your lower back to maintain normal support.

A lot of us bend over and stare at the fretboard while playing. It’s not a particularly ergonomic position.
 

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