Tenor & low back pain

[Tears June]

I start to play tenor 2 months ago (before just alto). Because tenor is much heavier than alto, I already more careful on my posture during practice - I play my horn in sitting position, put it on my side (right) and keep my upper body straight. However, my low back is sore. How's the tenor player overcome this problem ? I'm worry it will get worst.


:cry:

[Dr G]

Hi Tears,

I am, as you know, a tenor player. What you may not know is that I have chronic lower back pain from an injury I suffered while in the submarine service many years ago. So I know back pain.

There are several things you can do to moderate or avoid pain. The first, and its something that I'm surprised we don't talk about more often, is staying physically fit - playing the saxophone uses a lot of the body and the more fit we are, the better we may be in the long run. Second: posture. You are already aware that you need to observe good posture but it may not be obvious. Although I am 6'4" tall, I use a seat cushion to adjust my height on the chair (I carry the cushion in my gig bag). I also sit on the front edge of the chair rather than all the way back with my back against the rest. You might also try tucking one foot under your chair to change which muscles in your back are holding you up - it is often good to shift positions occasionally so you don't tire out one set of muscles. I find that sitting forward in the chair also lets me breathe more deeply and helps me stay fresh during long sessions.

Best of luck with staying comfortable. It's worth the extra work to me as I find the tenor is my favorite voice of all the saxes.

[timobrien]

Are you using a standard neckstrap???

I nearly gave up playing tenor due to arthritis of the spine.... until I switched to a NeoTech harness. It takes all the pressure off your spine and puts the weight out on your shoulders (which is much more natural for the body, IMHO).

They are only about $35.

[RobD]

careful back pain can be a serious thing i would talk to a doctor about how much you should lift for extended period of time (tenors are heavy for long time periods) its a lot of stress on your whole spine if you think about it, i had to have back surgery when i was 19, now i do back exercises and walk several miles every day just to keep myself from being bound to crawling on the floor. doctors, physical therapists etc are good resources to see how to minimize pain and injury while playing and whether or not your body should be playing a large instrument. plus a little excercise never hurt anyone

[OANegrin]

Absolutely, your first action should be to see a doctor who is a neck and back specialist.

Buying a BG harness would certainly help. Neckstraps are a health risk, especially on the larger horns. Neotech makes a harness too, but there are differing opinions about the elastic products they make. BG is roughly the same price.

Many times if the patient's abdominal muscles are in less-than-good shape, this in itself puts too much strain on the lower back muscles. There must be a balance between lumbar and abdominal muscles as they complement each other as flexors (abs) and extensors (lumbar). Situps and side-crunches (for obliques) address this problem without putting significant strain on the back.

See a good specialist, though, and follow his instructions. We're all just saxophonists here.

OANegrin

[Ritchie]

There are neck straps and neck straps. Look for one with some reasonable padding to distribute the weight on a larger area. A haress is not the solution for everyone.

[top_gun25]

shoulder straps?

i use a SPINSTRAP when i play tenor. use it with bari too. little long for alto for me but ppl use them. just like a 1 shoulder backpak. (or a RAMBO ammo belt) :wink: well it is a thick padded strap so it is VERY comfortable. 2in wide i think. maybe less. like a backpack strap. has a Clip near waist for sax.(duh *smack self in forehead*) Dont know where you can get one tho check online. yahoo.com.

[MB-913]

1) Dry to do Deadlift (an exercise for bodybuilding or power Lifting) 2 to 3 times a week. Each time 3 to 4 sets x 8 to 15 reps.
This exercise can strengthen our low back muscle.

2) Try to sit more straight instead to bent your upper body to front.

3) In each 60 minutes between practice, take a break for 5 minutes, walk a little bit.

[sjabariiii]

If you're only practicing, get rid of that chair and play standing up! Either way, be sure your spine is curved naturally and stack up the vertibrae. It should feel as if it's holding itself up (which it is). You are probably trying too hard to maintain what you think is 'proper' posture and using unnecessary muscles.

-ANDYJ