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Hurt my back lifting a 210 !

#22
After hurting my back last summer, I've learned a couple of things that help me. This doesn't necessarily help you after a back issue, but might help in preventing one or feeling better afterwards.

1. Posture - poor posture aggravates my back issues. If you can, get a desk chair that allows excellent and proper posture. This may also include rearranging your desk to be at eye height. Posture is also impacted when standing. My car is the worst, and I have yet to find a comfortable position.

2. Sleep - this relates to posture primarily - when I am tired, I slouch. Slouching hurts (after long times).

3. Lifting - If I don't lift heavy & often, I am more susceptible to slouching. Plus, it keeps blood moving through the muscles surrounding the spine, which helps for recovery.

4. Bass playing - I wear my basses high, so when I sit, I immediately hunch over to rest them on my leg (while maintaining the same height). It is best when I sit up straight, and use the strap. Posture also helps when standing & playing.

5. I know it sounds like an ******* thing to say, but if you are not strong enough to move the equipment - perhaps you should consider alternative equipment OR means of lifting it better. A luggage cart from Staples will help with wheeling amps around. If you can, hire a local meathead to load & unload your car for you. Maybe store the amp in the backseat instead of the trunk (easier to lift out?).

6. Costs - better chairs, luggage carts, lightweight gear. They all might cost something - but what is your back worth to you?

Hope this helps somebody.
 
#23
In an effort to "make some lemonade" of this, let's be thankful that you weren't hefting a 4x10 cab or your head might have popped off!!!

Your story is making me a little paranoid just because I'm 45 and I use a pair of 2x10's of the same weight. Never had back issues, but I don't wish them on anyone.

Here's to a speedy recovery, amigo.
 
#24
Man, I feel for you. I have tweaked my back putting on biking shorts. Lifted my leg and...snap...fell right to the ground. Crawled around the house for a day, had to pee in a bowl, couldn't even kneel at the toilet. Later that night my wife put a warm towel on my back which sent me into spasms I never could have imagined.....oh the pain. She freaked out and called the ambulance. They showed up, asked me some questions and got me right up on my feet. Pain, pain, pain. I wouldn't wish a pulled back on anybody. Now, I lift weights and do core excercises because I never want to go back....I never want to be out of commission again. I still shlep around a 60 lb cabinet, but I use proper technique and ask for help if I am tired. Good luck to ya.
 
#25
Been there Im 49 screwed my back up 6 years ago on my 3rd reps of dead lifts. The key is getting your core back in shape(been working on that and using the knees for lifting). I just switched back from using light weight GB gear to a killer Lead Sled heavy 210 Trace Elliot Combo.
 
#26
Man, I know the feeling.
These kinds of things aren't just for old folk.
Pulled something in my mid-back a few months ago while taking a rack out of my Celica. Maybe 30-40 lbs. tops. Could barely make it to the front door to ask for help.

I was only 19. I'm 20 now but have had back problems for as long as I can remember. :(

It really is all about technique and how you lift. I learned all kinds of ways to lift things while taking some EMS classes, and haven't had a problem since.
 
#28
oniman7 said:
I'm 15 and weigh 110 pounds. Not a bit of muscle on me. I've pulled things in my back and groin lifting my 75 pound Acoustic 115. I can lift it, but if I'm being lazy and don't watch what I'm doing, something ends up sore the next day. Time to look into lighter weight neodymium cabs, it seems. Or a gym. But that would take away from my practice time.
Click to expand...

Gym or similar. Your 50 year old self will thank you. signed, AOF (An Old Fart)
 
#29
belgabass said:
I went to a jam yesterday, Got ready to load my rig ( 2 210 musicman HD and an ampeg pf 500). I bent over to pick up one of the cabs (65 pounds) and bam. I'm 43 and it's the first time I've really hurt my back, sucks !
The irony is the amp is only 11 pounds, 500 watts....great.
Next time I'll ask for help....
Click to expand...

Fell off a cliff and wrecked my back no amp on stage. Bass Driver direct to the board out to 4 subs I still help bring the Eq in for the band but, I do not use a amp on stage anymore age 52
 
#30
:cool:

Stop going to Burger King, and go to a gym.:D

Seriously, I'm over 50, and simply have to work out 5 days a week.
As you get older, the old back gets weaker.
Remember 50 is the new 30.
 
#31
Despite my earlier advice (above) about my own gear, metal head son found a 410 on CL for $50. I go check it out, there's 2, so I buy them. Worst case, we'll have 1 working for $100.

GK BX II 410. Each mother weighs 94 lbs per mfg. Ouch! (My combo is 35lbs).

One cabinet may stay at the practice spot w/moving heads.
 
#32
+1000 for working out. Strengthen your core, stretch intelligently, and lift properly. Play a sport if you can, or take any one of the martial arts which will, if nothing else, help you with balance and timing. At age 58, I've been blessed with good health - so far! - and having had work-related back problems at age 29, all the above have helped tremendously.

Get well soon!
 
#33
Don't feel bad! Im only 38 years young and after several back surgeries(motocross for 19 years) Im in constent pain 24/7 no matter if I work out or not. Most of the time My wife or my band mates load my stuff(2 Epi 112 cabs). In fact, im lying on ice at 1am as im writing this!!!! Ice is my best friend!!
 

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