Guitar's Weight and Back

Alex-B-Broadway

Okay, well, I've been wondering about this for a while so I decided to ask. I have a mild spinal curve that's been hurting a bit more than usual lately and I'm worrying about what the weight of a guitar's going to do to it in the long run. Supposedly Kurt Cobain struggled with the same back problem and the weight of his guitars - especially because of the way he played - caused the problem to worsen (some people attribute that to his drug use, but that's another story).

Most of the time I play sitting down, but it's not like I can grab a chair on stage at a metal gig - unless I put skulls on the chair and call it a trademark. (If Buckethead can wear a bucket...)

I'm thinking of going to see a few doctors and asking if a type of spinal brace can be made just to keep my back supported while I gig. I don't see why that wouldn't work.

Anyone here with a similar problem?

SnapcaseZA

I have heard of people having back issues for sure. Especially guys with Les Pauls, those things can be damn heavy!

Have you tried a lighter guitar, what do you play now? I reckon you could get a back support though, surely.

Alex-B-Broadway

SnapcaseZA wrote: I have heard of people having back issues for sure. Especially guys with Les Pauls, those things can be damn heavy!

Have you tried a lighter guitar, what do you play now? I reckon you could get a back support though, surely.

Yeah, I've tried lighter guitars before and I own a few ranging from really light to insanely heavy (although I'll admit I prefer LP shapes...), but I'm starting to think the back support is a good idea either way.

AlanRatcliffe

Speak to Arjun - I know he has some problems with his back. Also speak to an ortho and get pro advice. At least, if he puts you in a brace you can find ways to work it in to the stage act. ?

For a really light weight guitar, look no further than a Parker. I don't know if it can djent tho... ? Can't remember the name, but you also get special orthopaedic guitar straps that redistribute the weight.

Reinhard

There are some other tricks you can try to help, especially with heavy guitars. Use a nice broad guitar strap to help spread the weight, would make a light guitar even more comfy. The most important thing would be focussing on posture.

Most of us tend to round our shoulders forward when playing (and in general), which keeps your upper and even mid trapezius muscles in a stretched position. That causes the "burning sensation" in the back and neck most of the time. So a cheap alternative is to start focussing on posture and improving your endurance in keeping that posture, because initially you will get tired and struggle to maintain it for long periods, or just forget to do it. I am not a big fan of braces as they tend to make your stabiliser muscles lazy as they don't have to do their job when the brace is on. Braces do have their advantages though and may be of short term use.

Hope you rock in comfort!

Alex-B-Broadway

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Speak to Arjun - I know he has some problems with his back. Also speak to an ortho and get pro advice. At least, if he puts you in a brace you can find ways to work it in to the stage act. ?

For a really light weight guitar, look no further than a Parker. I don't know if it can djent tho... ? Can't remember the name, but you also get special orthopaedic guitar straps that redistribute the weight.

Thanks, Alan. Will do. I'll probably go see a doctor soon enough to hear what he has to say about it. I'll definitely look into the guitar straps too. I've worn a back brace before and it was fairly easy to hide under clothes so visibility wasn't a problem.

Reinhard wrote: There are some other tricks you can try to help, especially with heavy guitars. Use a nice broad guitar strap to help spread the weight, would make a light guitar even more comfy. The most important thing would be focussing on posture.

Most of us tend to round our shoulders forward when playing (and in general), which keeps your upper and even mid trapezius muscles in a stretched position. That causes the "burning sensation" in the back and neck most of the time. So a cheap alternative is to start focussing on posture and improving your endurance in keeping that posture, because initially you will get tired and struggle to maintain it for long periods, or just forget to do it. I am not a big fan of braces as they tend to make your stabiliser muscles lazy as they don't have to do their job when the brace is on. Braces do have their advantages though and may be of short term use.

Hope you rock in comfort!

Thanks. I try to keep my posture as straight as possible (with the back brace I wore it became second nature to stand up almost unnaturally straight 23 hours a day). I get what you're saying about the back brace, and I think that's partly why the brace they gave me back then didn't work in the long tun - the moment I took it off the problem would just revert back to the original state. The way I understand it the muscles aren't strong enough on one side and that's what caused the problem in the first place, and trying to force myself into putting more weight onto it (or exercising it beyond it's ability) could worsen it. There's basically nothing they can do to correct it either. The only real option I have if it really bothers me that much is surgery - which, according to the doctor, is extremely risky. I was thinking of short term use for the brace just because it could give me that extra bit of support that the muscles aren't able to.

If I can't find the solution, someone get me a chair with skulls on it. :?

Reinhard

All of the best man, I hope you get the best functional solution ? Let us know how it turns out, and you HAVE to post the chair with the skulls (a nice high bar stool cool be nice to lean back on to and take some weight off and then you're not really sitting either).

Alex-B-Broadway

Reinhard wrote: All of the best man, I hope you get the best functional solution ? Let us know how it turns out, and you HAVE to post the chair with the skulls (a nice high bar stool cool be nice to lean back on to and take some weight off and then you're not really sitting either).

Thanks man. ? Will do. At first I thought sitting down might look bad, but then I thought I probably wouldn't challenge Zakk Wylde while he was sitting down. ???

shaunf

Alex B Broadway wrote:

Thanks. I try to keep my posture as straight as possible (with the back brace I wore it became second nature to stand up almost unnaturally straight 23 hours a day). I get what you're saying about the back brace, and I think that's partly why the brace they gave me back then didn't work in the long tun - the moment I took it off the problem would just revert back to the original state. The way I understand it the muscles aren't strong enough on one side and that's what caused the problem in the first place, and trying to force myself into putting more weight onto it (or exercising it beyond it's ability) could worsen it. There's basically nothing they can do to correct it either. The only real option I have if it really bothers me that much is surgery - which, according to the doctor, is extremely risky. I was thinking of short term use for the brace just because it could give me that extra bit of support that the muscles aren't able to.

If I can't find the solution, someone get me a chair with skulls on it. :?

Is this not something a bit of time in the gym can't solve? I used to suffer from lower back pain, and since I started exercising regularly, and in particular building in back, abs, and core muscles into my workouts, my back pain is a thing of the past.

Alex-B-Broadway

shaunf wrote:
Alex B Broadway wrote:

Thanks. I try to keep my posture as straight as possible (with the back brace I wore it became second nature to stand up almost unnaturally straight 23 hours a day). I get what you're saying about the back brace, and I think that's partly why the brace they gave me back then didn't work in the long tun - the moment I took it off the problem would just revert back to the original state. The way I understand it the muscles aren't strong enough on one side and that's what caused the problem in the first place, and trying to force myself into putting more weight onto it (or exercising it beyond it's ability) could worsen it. There's basically nothing they can do to correct it either. The only real option I have if it really bothers me that much is surgery - which, according to the doctor, is extremely risky. I was thinking of short term use for the brace just because it could give me that extra bit of support that the muscles aren't able to.

If I can't find the solution, someone get me a chair with skulls on it. :?
Is this not something a bit of time in the gym can't solve? I used to suffer from lower back pain, and since I started exercising regularly, and in particular building in back, abs, and core muscles into my workouts, my back pain is a thing of the past.

Nope, unfortunately not. I got stuck with a syndrome that makes connective tissue degenerate - although I've seen worse cases. I usually stay away from exercise, heavy lifting, that kind of thing. Any of it could cause anything from further heart problems, lung issues, etc. Supposedly Robert Johnson had the same syndrome, not sure how true that is though.

Malkav

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: For a really light weight guitar, look no further than a Parker. I don't know if it can djent tho...

Well djent tones are all about upper mids, and seeing as Parkers are quite bright I'm sure you can get pretty ball park ?

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Can't remember the name, but you also get special orthopaedic guitar straps that redistribute the weight.

Gruv Gear ?

Psean

Straps that distribute the weight better can definitely look cool:

Not too sure if this is a proper orthopaedic design though.

guidothepimmp

yeah not sure itsthe strap in that case... im pretty sure its the tats and the fact he is the stupendous rhythm section of ratm ?

Funny enough, I prefer heavy guits.. (yes, i did play show with them too)..
Just preference really

Psean

Ja, I think you're right. Just being in a band like Rage adds an automatic coolness factor; how else did Tom Morello pull of having his guitar way up under his chin in the 90's when low-slung was in? Being the size he is probably adds to it too. Might not look as cool on someone with a more average build.
Timmy C rocks that big ol' strap though so why not give an orthopaedic one a shot.

singemonkey

Two letters for you: S and G. Mine is feather light. Even compared to light Strats. And of course, they have a roaring sound. Not quite like an LP, but very similar. Chambered LPs, which I'm not wild about, really don't sound much different to solid ones, and they're as light as acoustics.

I don't know if developing your core strength will help too. Could be, but you'd certainly want to discuss it with your physio before testing your limits I reckon. Good luck.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Get pro advice and do the exercises they give you, core strength as Singe says. There is a complex ergonomic thing going on... I had to get acupuncture for my shoulder (after trying EVERYTHING) that sorted it out - problem was from gigs with a LIGHT SG shape. Heavier bass, no prob... (might get fatigued but no pain).

SnapcaseZA

Check this thing out http://www.veestrap.com/
It obviously distributes the weight a bit better over the 2 shoulders, but do you think it would help?

V8

Alex B Broadway wrote: Nope, unfortunately not. I got stuck with a syndrome that makes connective tissue degenerate - although I've seen worse cases. I usually stay away from exercise, heavy lifting, that kind of thing. Any of it could cause anything from further heart problems, lung issues, etc. Supposedly Robert Johnson had the same syndrome, not sure how true that is though.

Hey Alex, sorry to hear about this painful issue - sounds fairly serious? +1 to Alan's and Reinhard's comments - pro advice is essential, although from the sound of it you have a compentent doc in your corner already. Personally I'm all for second opinions, especially concerning invasive surgical procedures!

I've had issues with left shoulder for years, so I've tried a variety of things. Lighter guitars, wider straps, different shapes of guitar so the weight distibutes differently, not playing guitar (heish, more difficult than it sounds!) and playing different instruments. I've also been to physio's, massage specialists and accupuncture practicitioners and done what reading I can find on 'guitar posture'.

I came to think of playing guitar as a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) - much like swinging a golf club, bowling a cricket ball or sitting behind a laptop, right hand attached to a mouse- playing guitar isn't a completely natural thing for a human body to do...So I've been "learning to administrate my addiction" (heh, this is what my teacher calls it).

Eventually, I now jam/practice 90% sitting down, I regularly stretch before and after practice (back, shoulders, arms, wrists, fingers) , do some basic muscle building exercises for the trapezius (exactly like Reinhard mentions) and my playing posture is as important as fretting notes correctly, being in time, etc...And the moment I notice it's uncomfortable/painful, I stop, stretch out and perhaps consider doing something else.

The positive is, since I've been administrating my guitar playing - the condition has improved and I'm relieved, because I would like to play guitar for another 20 years and 20 years after that and 20 years after that! ?

Malkav

V8

Chad Adam Browne wrote:
?

Nice one - thanks bro!

Found this resource online by Dr Kertz if anyone else is interested : http://www.notreble.com/column/health-fitness-for-the-working-bassist/

Imho, A really nice collection of columns - although 20USD for the book still sounds like a deal