Pain in the Back...

[Beats&Pieces]

I've recently taken up my Tenor again after a few years absence
and after 30 mins of practice, my back really hurts. It affects me
right behind my left shoulderblade. I'm guessing its a posture problem.
I've tried a few different setups but still hurts. Could the sling have anything to do with it??

[Fun Bun]

I have herniated a disk in my back and I bought a chair from www.concertdesign.com so that I can sit with a proper posture. Most chair are design for stacking or folding not suport for the human body.

[Cameron Wigmore]

Getting rid of the pain...
There is a supplement for arthritis and tendonitis called Glucosamine. It works, but it takes a month or two for results. It helps the body repair tendons, ligaments and cartillage. I discovered it through working out, but it has really helped my tendonitis. Aside from that, take a few months off. Sucks to be you, but if you don't it'll get worse.

With neck or back pain I was shown a great exercise. Stand with your back to the wall and you feet out about two feet from the wall. Bend your knees slightly and try to lay your lower back and your neck against the wall for a couple of minutes.

Also for your neck, put your hands against your chin and push in and up towards the back of your head and let your neck straighten out. Forget about harness straps if your back hurts - wieght is weight, and the harness is a pain to get used to.

A great song to listen to for pain and generall tension is one by Maestro Fresh Wes..... :lol:

Good Luck!

[doc]

Beats,
I feel your pain! You don't mention your age or general physical state but- see a doctor. Sitting with a tenor around your neck shouldn't hurt unless you're decrepit or over 150 years of age. Next examine your posture. Increasing strength and flexibility is the best way to improve and protect joints. I prefer small weights and isometrics with gentle stretching.

Glucosamine has only been demonstrated to be of value in patients with documented osteoarthritis (doesn't mean it won't work for other stuff). Futher it's only been clearly demonstrated when administered by INJECTION either intramuscularly or into the affected joint. In fact the studies that demonstrate decrease in pain with glucosamine show it only to be equi-effective to ibuprofen (but ibuprofen has an effect within 1 week, glucosamine required 2 weeks).

Finally in the USA (as opposed to europe where you are) glucosamine is a dietary supplement NOT a well-regulated medication. In fact in the uSA you have little idea of the purity or bioavailability of the product you purchase/consume. You also have no way of knowing what the possible contaminants are or their side/toxic effects. In essence you are at the mercy of a large multinational corporation to assure that you are not consuming a toxic byproduct of "supplement" production.

To summarize a recent review article:
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act passed by the United States Congress in 1994 permits marketing products
claimed to affect the structure or function of the body as a dietary supplement without the approval of any government agency.
The labeling must include a disclaimer stating that the product has not been evaluated by the FDA. If a question concerning
safety arises, the burden of proof is on the FDA, rather than on the manufacturer of the drug. Glucosamine appears to be
safe as used in short-term studies, but long-term toxicity studies are necessary.

So in Europe see your doctor and glucosamine may be right if you have osteoarthritis (not likely from your description). If you're in the USA, see your doctor and remember caveat emptor with respect to "dietary supplements." Remember the patients who died in the early 1990's from tryptophan supplements- turned out to be a toxic byproduct. Guess that's what you'd call an unadvertised feature.


doc-
I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night but I am a doctor

[Jeff Foster]

Sucks getting old doesn't it. You didn't mention your age but I'm assuming you're not a kid since you "took a few years off." I'm 45 and, thankfully, haven't had any problems like that playing sax. I do however, have a similar pain when I play guitar standing up. It's especially prominent when I'm playing my Telecaster (the thing weighs a ton). Sometimes I get this pain in my back that goes all the way through to the front. I keep hoping the muscles will get stronger and the pain will go away but, so far, no luck. I keep wondering how old geezers like Keith Richards manage to survive.

[3saxes]

Try a harness vs the sling or neckstrap.

[Docax]

...and as the unfortunate owner of 2 chronically herniated cervical discs, I use the ultimate backsaver - playing (tenor) standing up on a Konig Meyer adjustable stand. No pressure on the back whatsoever. Hopefully you don't need to go that far, if you have to, it works - for practice and gigs. (As long as you don't need to dance with the sax)

[Cameron Wigmore]

I'm 26 years old. I took two years off and that helped what my new doctor confirms to be tendonitis. It's helped taking glucosamine, and in the gym a great many bodybuilders take it for their joints with good results. I'll never stop playing. I just have to be patient and rest my hands for a few days when they are in pain. Ibuprofen will only help so much... it won't eliminate the reason for my pain. If I didn't learn the meaning of the word patience through hours and hours of daily practice, I will with this condition...

[Gandalfe]

Hey, the Doc had some good points. Playing a tenor should not be that painful.

Nine out of ten times when I hear this complaint I find middle-aged people who do not exercise on a regular basis. This means that your muscles have atrophied and you are at risk of injuring yourself doing normal things like picking up a sax case. Oops, there goes the rotar cuff, and now you need a $5000 surgery to repair what really will never be the same again! Sound like hyperboli--I've too many 40 - 50 friends with the problem.

Start with a checkup. Then move to a simple program designed to slowly build up your tired, old muscles to a more youthful, flexible state. I use the total gym 'cuz it was cheap and I enjoy the floating pad. 'course after twenty years in the military, I know that you could do it without equipment. But pick a program and work yourself to better health.

Good luck to you.

[gary]

And don't overlook Hatha Yoga.

[john]

It's probably never a bad idea to keep your muscles well toned with moderate physical activity. Keep your whole body flexible with judicious stretching. And, oh BTW, keep your weight down and stop smoking!

As I creep up on 50 with nearly 40 years playing I'm grateful that I still do my exercises and daily walks. Now if I just weren't so darn near-sighted.

I share doc's concern about the contaminants in dietary supplements sold in the USA. There is NO regulation.

john
Also a doctor and my main horn is still an SX90 bari

[Morry]

The cause of the pain can be deduced by inquiring about the "type" of pain you are experiencing. Dull, aching pain is most often related to musculature. A sharp, "hot" pain is more likely to be nerve related.

I have a pinched nerve in my neck that results in a pain in my left shoulderblade that feels like you took a knitting needle, got it red hot, and jabbed it into my shoulder. Sometimes, it can almost take my breath away. The nerve problem is adversely affected by poor posture, and infrequent breaks. I work a computer job, and get that stabbing pain which reminds me that I've been sitting in one position, without taking a break for several hours.

I would suggest that you ask your regular doctor about referring you to pain specialist. They can do wonders.

[horatio]

I am using a harness now, and though i prefer the neck strap it has made it much easier on that portion of my back. In my case too many trips around the sun has resulted in some muscle demise. neal

[michaelbaird]

My back and neck hurt also. I like a hymen type neck strap. I tried the neotech strap with the cushion and elastic, but the mouthpiece was in the wrong position in my mouth, changing my playing habits and made my disposition worse. I try to exercise my muscles regularly and take 600-800mg of ibuprofen every 6 hrs as needed. Regular use of anti-inflamatory drugs as we age also helps ward off Alzheimer's! 8)

[Bill Mecca]

One thing to think about as we age and develop back pain is that the source of that pain may be 180 degrees away.

hmmm, what the heck does he mean? It's that increased resonance chamber we carry around...

YOUR GUT! ;-)

Seriously when the abdominal muscles fatigue, your lower back muscles take on added work, so one of the best ways to keep your back healthy is to strengthen your abs.

Something yours truly needs to work on, big time ;-)

[michaelbaird]

Strong abs also protect your internal organs in case of trauma. I'm extremely vain also, and keep body fat to a minimum. :twisted:

[electricninja]

Neck straps with my alto made long practices unbearable, no matter how cutesy and cushioned the damn things were. So I bought one SpinStrap, use it for the alto, tenor, and baritone, and haven't worried about it since.

I wasn't about to wait for repeat hospital visits down the road to open my eyes. Neck strap on the alto hurts over time, hurts quicker with a tenor, and is a noose with a baritone. Stupid, stupid, stupid concept.

Your left arm is raised on the sax's keys, I'm guessing it would be bad to have the sling going over your left shoulder.

[guitarbob]

Most likely it's tension. Relax and flex your back before playing. I find that I get this exact pain when I'm in a situation that I'm uncomfortable with, like filling in with a band I don't know, or playing at a new club.