Guitarists: Back Pain After a Gig

Question

I am playing long gigs with my band (6-7 hours long, once/twice a week) and a lot of movement is involved in making a show, also I am constantly "dancing" with the rhythm while playing. Also note that I am playing an electric guitar, standing.

After each gig, I experience a sharp pain above my left blade, right next to my spine. This spot gets painful sometimes with carrying heavy loads as well, and in case of electric guitar all the weight is held just above this spot, on the shoulder, so it doesn't help.

Any of you have any experience with this? Any ideas how to not let this thing get unnecessarily worse? Any exercises that might ideally resolve the issue?

EDIT: Carrying heavy weights is not the right way to put it. It is not an acute kind of pain, it is more chronic, so for example when I carry around a backpack for extended amounts of time, then I feel it.

Answer 1

Obviously I'd echo Shevliaskovic's advice that seeing a doctor might be appropriate as no-one here is in the best position to give advice on an individual's medical issues.

Personally, things I have found help with these kind of issues are :

• Lighter instruments, of course, as Neil Meyer mentions

• Ensuring that the way you have you strap set up allows your basic playing posture to be relaxed - especially that your shoulder isn't having to work to compensate for neck dive or lift the instrument.

  • As a personal view on this, I actually don't like having an electric guitar strap secured at the top horn of the instrument - I much prefer to secure the strap at the headstock. I find this distributes the weight across my back more, and also leads to a more stable position for the instrument, meaning my left arm doesn't have to work to hold the neck up as well as finding the correct playing position. This is an unusual view, but it works for me and may be worth a try (but you may find you need to move your bottom strap button to make it work best - something to try first on a beater guitar).

• Take advantage of breaks and changes in the program to stretch, relax, change position; maybe even play another instrument sometimes if possible?

• keep hydrated, and have a good night's sleep before gigs

• A generally good level of fitness helps - ensuring you're not carrying excess weight yourself, and perhaps some exercises to increase your upper body strength and stamina (this is probably not something to do without taking medical advice if you're having problems now!)

• Massage can help with some problems, reducing tension and making you more able to recognise and avoid it. (Again the medical advice disclaimer applies - if you have a deeper issue this may not be appropriate).

Answer 2

6 or 7 hrs is a long gig! Check with your Musicians Union on the recommended length of playing time before breaks - and how long they can be. Another cause can be how low you sling your guitar. The higher the better for looking after backs, so if you have yours really low, as seems to be the current fashion, you'll be crouching to look at frets, and the position won't help balance, taking its toll on your back and shoulders.

As stated by topo morto and Shev., a visit to a doctor or specialist is the cleverest move. Apart from shorter gigs, and everything previously mentioned.

Answer 3

Yes, see a doctor. I'm not a doctor. But:

It sounds like you may have either overuse or spasming of the muscle next to the spine. Try icing it immediately after the gig and then after a day or two applying a heat pad. Also get a theracane to gently massage the entire muscle along its length.

You might consider a lighter guitar, like a Steinberger:

or a hollow-body electric guitar.

They're much lighter than solid-body electrics.

Also, consider a dual shoulder strap for your guitar.

In addition to going to doctor, you might want to go to a physical therapist--especially one who specializes in backs--who can manipulate the area and give you exercises and hints how to treat and prevent your injury.