I have one of these. They work great. I was even able to gig with a 10 pound SR5 on my separated shoulder.
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My shoulder is killing me!!
- Thread starter Andre 1964
- Start date
I have one of these. They work great. I was even able to gig with a 10 pound SR5 on my separated shoulder.
I find these things helpful: soaking in hot water and, then, performing trapezius stretches, use a spiky massage ball, and using Homedics Shiatsu Pillow for neck and shoulder.
I had a strap made for me many years ago - very wide, perhaps 4" and the most important part - a pad of sheepskin on the inside the width of the strap. This is the BEST!
Now I have a couple of nice Italia straps and I am rounding up the sheepskin for the inside.
Now I have a couple of nice Italia straps and I am rounding up the sheepskin for the inside.
For me, a combination of what many have suggested has helped me deal. I have a couple bulging discs in my lower back, one in my neck and I busted my left shoulder A-C joint two times (Feb 2009 most recently).
I use a Neotech Mega Bass Strap (the Comfort Strapp didn't work for me based on the adjuster position) and my main bass is a CallowHill J5 that weighs 8 lbs.
I also now have to think about what shoes I'm wearing (used to make fun of "old guys" in sneakers; now I understand).
I stretch every morning and try to do yoga when possible (if you think its mamby pamby, just try some Power Vinyasa or Jivamukti - or jiving monkey as I like to call it). Yoga is great for balance, strength and flexibility.
I use a Neotech Mega Bass Strap (the Comfort Strapp didn't work for me based on the adjuster position) and my main bass is a CallowHill J5 that weighs 8 lbs.
I also now have to think about what shoes I'm wearing (used to make fun of "old guys" in sneakers; now I understand).
I stretch every morning and try to do yoga when possible (if you think its mamby pamby, just try some Power Vinyasa or Jivamukti - or jiving monkey as I like to call it). Yoga is great for balance, strength and flexibility.
Now interestingly, building muscle for your problem probably isn't going to help and could potentially worsen the problem, though light exercising and cardio is always beneficial no matter your age.
if you've already invested in a decent comfortable strap and that hasn't alleviated and a lighter bass isn't an option (either though finances or choice) i would seriously consider looking at your posture and the position of your shoulders and elbow alignment when playing.
you could have a problem somewhere around your back which is resulting in referred pain to your shoulder.
The first thing i would do is seek a physio or sports therapist, and it might be worth taking your bass along too. A deep tissue massage and other therapies like acupuncture might help alleviate the pain and break down any scar tissue that might have built up causing a diminished mobility and extra pressure placed on your shoulder.
Your posture could also be a factor, in the interim i would suggest, if possible slinging your bass on to your good shoulder between songs and if theres any extra time between songs placing it on a stand, like when theres a guitar change, prolonged tune up or technical difficulty and if your singer has a tendency to talk alot between songs, take any opportunity you can.
Warming up your arms and stretching your upper body before you go on stage would be a good idea, and also id check out buying a high density foam roller to roll on at home (you can get them from amazon etc)
if you've already invested in a decent comfortable strap and that hasn't alleviated and a lighter bass isn't an option (either though finances or choice) i would seriously consider looking at your posture and the position of your shoulders and elbow alignment when playing.
you could have a problem somewhere around your back which is resulting in referred pain to your shoulder.
The first thing i would do is seek a physio or sports therapist, and it might be worth taking your bass along too. A deep tissue massage and other therapies like acupuncture might help alleviate the pain and break down any scar tissue that might have built up causing a diminished mobility and extra pressure placed on your shoulder.
Your posture could also be a factor, in the interim i would suggest, if possible slinging your bass on to your good shoulder between songs and if theres any extra time between songs placing it on a stand, like when theres a guitar change, prolonged tune up or technical difficulty and if your singer has a tendency to talk alot between songs, take any opportunity you can.
Warming up your arms and stretching your upper body before you go on stage would be a good idea, and also id check out buying a high density foam roller to roll on at home (you can get them from amazon etc)
WOW!!! glad to know it's not just me!!! Everyone....THANK YOU! Lots of good ideas and concepts. I will make the neccessary adjustments! Keep on groovin everyone..and Thank you again!!!
Dre'
Dre'
- Apr 15, 2011
- 17
- 0
- Disclosures
- Musical Recording Artist: Anonymous Inventions Trust
Since we're just chatting about this subject.. my question in response to some of the suggestions is; with regard to the players that recomended exercise as a soultion... I'm curious as to what is your work load? Do you work every night? How long? Did you have pain initially then worked out to resolve? Please understand! I'm NOT posing these questions in opposition to your suggestions...just curious 
The comfort strapps come in different sizes. I made that mistake with my first one, and had to cut it down and do some special rigging, than I realized I could have bought a smaller one. I think they are the best on the market.
unfortunately it didn't for me. the seatbelt strap webbing over the padding that holds it together would dig into my shoulder through the padding.
Very sound advice. along with the medical advice, the foam roller and a tennis ball and stick are invaluable. I use them all to loosen muscle knots. It is a pain (sometimes literally) and boring but a part of the price of maintaining movement.
Strength training, if you have any pain, can make the problem worse, because it may be to painful, or you may not have full movement to do the exercise properly.
I spent 1.5 hours with my chiro/pt today due to upper back spasms. She worked me over then gave me a bunch of exercises and gave me the warning of, "you better do this otherwise you'll be miserable." I turn 50 this year, so many years of sport injuries, too much computer use (with lousy ergonomics) and often marathon gigs have me suffering. Actually I just got a Levy 3.5" wide padded leather strap and I find that more comfortable than the Comfort strapp. The flex of the Comfort ends up being an issue with me.
At any rate, there are a number of things you need to think about. Playing bass messes with your back and shoulder and arms/hand. You basically stretch the muscles on the rear of your body and the ones on the front shrink/tighten since we tend to stoop our shoulder when playing. The solution is to do seated rowing to strengthen the shoulder (with thumbs pointing up so you don't tweak rotator cuff) along with other stretching opening up the chest and front of the body. And of course wrist/forearm stretching. Her other advice was lots of ice and inbetween sets rinse/soak the hands and wrist in cold water. The key is to try and keep inflammation down.
For those of you young guys who snicker at this stuff...as grandpa Simpson would say, "it'll happen to you"
At any rate, there are a number of things you need to think about. Playing bass messes with your back and shoulder and arms/hand. You basically stretch the muscles on the rear of your body and the ones on the front shrink/tighten since we tend to stoop our shoulder when playing. The solution is to do seated rowing to strengthen the shoulder (with thumbs pointing up so you don't tweak rotator cuff) along with other stretching opening up the chest and front of the body. And of course wrist/forearm stretching. Her other advice was lots of ice and inbetween sets rinse/soak the hands and wrist in cold water. The key is to try and keep inflammation down.
For those of you young guys who snicker at this stuff...as grandpa Simpson would say, "it'll happen to you"
Could I suggest going to an experienced medical massage therapist? I have worked part time as one for years, and can tell you some pretty amazing healing stories associated with treating muscles. It is a sadly often an overlooked part of the health care continuum. Avail yourself of an hour or two with a good therapist and you can probably make great headway into fixing your problem. Also, do some stretching...
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
+1 I find the Neotech noticeably better than the Comfort Strapp because the leather portion on the end of the strap places the padding too far from my shoulder (I play with my headstock upright).
I'm in the midst of designing my next bass, and I'm seriously considering the Boomerang system designed for the NS OmniBass/Bass Cello, if I can buy one. Here's a short video:
Omni Bass
Playing while sitting helps take the weight off your shoulder. It does not however necessarily help with the way you rotate your shoulder and upper body to play unless you really focus on your posture.
