Back Pains

[Olly]

Hey guys,

I have bin playing guitar for a monthg or two now, and i get back pains after i have bin playing for about an hour or so... :(

Cud anyone help me, cus it is really starting to become annoying now and restricts the amount of time i can play...

Thx Olly

[snetzley]

Hi Olly,

A few things to do or check.

Stretch before and after you play. This only takes a few minutes and makes a world of difference. If you need help with what kind of stretches to do, let us know. I'm sure many of us can throw out ideas.

Play in front of a mirror so you can check your position. Also, check with your instructor about your position. Tell him or her that you are experiencing back pain. I'm sure he or she will be able to check your position and give you ideas of stretches, etc. (How are your lessons going, by the way?)

Stay relaxed while you play. If you are tensing up your muscles anywhere in your body when you play you will definitely feel the effects, sore muscles, etc., when you stop playing. Staying loose and relaxed also helps your playing. :)

Changing the subject, I'm wondering about the spelling you use in your posts. It looks like a kind of short hand that is sometimes used (mostly by young people) in chat rooms. If that is the case, please be aware that writing posts in a message board or email is the same as writing a paper at school or a letter to a friend. Proper spelling, capitalization, and punctuation make it easier for folks to understand what you say. :D

[Olly]

Thank you for the post Sharon,

If you want me to type proper english then i will, its just easier to type in easy txt...

However, if this is creating a problem for people to read my posts, then i would rather make sure everyone understands what i am typing about.

Getting off this dodgy subject, the lessons are great, i have had 2 so far, and i am really enjoying them. I can play some stuff like Scarborough Fair and Stairway to Heaven, and hopefully soon I will be able to play like the rest of you guys.

By the way, could u please let me know of any stretches that would prevent me from getting back pain, because it is another week until my next lesson.

Thanks

Olly

[snetzley]

Hi Olly,

Here are a few simple stretches that work for me.

1. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, arms hanging loosely at your sides. Raise your right arm out to the side and then reach as high as you can reach keeping your feet flat on the floor. Feel the stretch all along your right side. Slowly lower your right arm and repeat with the left. Do this about five times on each side.

2. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and reach up with both arms. From that position, slowly bend forward until your hands are touching the ground, or as close to the ground as you can get. Stay in that position for a few moments, rocking gently side to side. Very slowly straighten up, one vertebrae at a time. Repeat this one a couple of times.

3. Stretch your hamstrings, too. Mine like to tighten up when I sit. One way to stretch them is to put your foot up on the seat of a chair, then very slow lean toward your leg until you feel the stretch at the back of your leg. Hold it for a few seconds, then repeat. Don't lock your knee. Keep it soft. Repeat on both legs.

When you sit to play, pay attention to your posture. Put your feet on the floor, make sure you have equal weight on your seat bones. Rock a little on your seat bones to make sure the weight feels even. Make sure you are sitting up straight, and try to keep your head over your shoulders. Don't hunch forward over your guitar.

I hope this helps. And thanks so much for the clearer typing! It is much appreciated!

Sharon

[Luke]

It used to be a problem for me too until I started using an small office-style chair without arms and with a back rest set to low. I make sure that my lower back contacts firmly the back rest when I sit down. I can now spend hours without feeling any back pain. It did it for me.

Good luck.

[Sandra]

Hi, Olly!

Are you using a footstool? If so, it can aggravate back problems because by elevating one foot, you're putting an odd alignment on your pelvis/spine.

I use a Dynarette cushion and find it helps my back considerably. (They sell them here at Guitar Salon, they're made in Sweden so I'm sure you can probably find them in the UK as well.) It's a comma-shaped cushion you put on top of your thigh and it elevates the guitar to the correct angle while both feet stay on the floor. :D

[Luke]

Thanks