Sax related back / neck problems
David Rodgers
on if you have . . .
I play tenor / soprano sax (about 10 - 20 hours a week, for about 12 years)
and have been having increasing back / neck problems. I now have an
oestopath who (by chance) has dealt with a number of these injuries before.
Basically, I have damaged my neck, and this has worked it's way down to my
spine. He recommended a harness rather than the traditional strap (which
has taken time to get used to, but is worth the battle if it means saving my
neck). He's managed to put my back 'back' in place, but says that ideally
it would be best if I did not play such a heavy instrument. A number of
years ago I played baritone, and probably did damage then as well as my body
was still growing at the time. I was also involved in a car accident about
10 years ago, and suffered whip lash - this probably didn't help.
I'm trying swimming, exercise etc., and am improving, but the core of the
problem still exists. Does anyone have experience / comments / suggestions?
I don't really want to switch to Alto.
Thanks,
David R.
Mitch
here Paul, lies?) over my left shoulder, camera strap style. Doesn't
make the horn any lighter, but gives some muscles a break. I also
alternate sitting and standing.
Mitch
Gerry
<Dave.R...@btinternet.com> wrote:
> I play tenor / soprano sax (about 10 - 20 hours a week, for about 12 years)
> and have been having increasing back / neck problems. I now have an
> oestopath who (by chance) has dealt with a number of these injuries before.
> Basically, I have damaged my neck, and this has worked it's way down to my
> spine. He recommended a harness rather than the traditional strap (which
> has taken time to get used to, but is worth the battle if it means saving my
> neck).
If you have back/neck problems I think you absolutely should have a
harness that makes use of your shoulders and or waist and maybe even
one (if you can fashion it or have someone (luggage shop? custom
foundations shop?) that suspends a horn from your waist and hips. Get
them all. And switch them hourly. The most optimum ergonamic design
can never be a mechanism that ensures the exact same motion, sa I. You
should have a few that are all as comfortable as possible.
> He's managed to put my back 'back' in place, but says that ideally
> it would be best if I did not play such a heavy instrument. A number of
> years ago I played baritone, and probably did damage then as well as my body
> was still growing at the time. I was also involved in a car accident about
> 10 years ago, and suffered whip lash - this probably didn't help.
You should be doing yoga.
> I'm trying swimming, exercise etc., and am improving, but the core of the
> problem still exists. Does anyone have experience / comments / suggestions?
I have had similar experiences. Do yoga, it's not exciting or
spirtually enlightening or anything. It's dull, frankly, but is GREAT
for your back, neck, shoulders. Go take a class, or get a tape, but you
must SEE it to get with it. It allows you to concentrate on the
(shifting) locus of various stiffness, injuries, stretching, or serious
muscle development.
You need to develop the musculature to carry all that stuff.
> I don't really want to switch to Alto.
That shouldn't have to be necessary.
--
\\\--- Gerry
---------------------------------------------------
American Democracy -- the best that money can buy!
Joe Castleman
<mi...@mitchellandrus.com> wrote:
>During long sessions, I sometimes switch to a sling that lays (help me
>here Paul, lies?) over my left shoulder, camera strap style. Doesn't
>make the horn any lighter, but gives some muscles a break. I also
>alternate sitting and standing.
>
>Mitch
Where did you find such a strap? My teacher has something called a "Spin
Strap," I believe. I think it's actually a guitar strap but he uses it
with his sax. I've asked about them at the stores but no one knows what
I'm talking about. For now I use one of those Neo Tech straps which is
somewhat elastic and makes the horn feel lighter.
----
Joe Castleman -- jca...@io.com
Gyrofrog Communications -- http://www.io.com/~jcastle
Austin, Texas U.S.A.
Mitch
instrument - drum set maybe? Maybe for something unrelated to music...
Mitch
Robert L. Carroll
> Does any one out there have back / neck sax playing related problems? Read
> on if you have . . .
>
> I play tenor / soprano sax (about 10 - 20 hours a week, for about 12 years)
> and have been having increasing back / neck problems. I now have an
> oestopath who (by chance) has dealt with a number of these injuries before.
> Basically, I have damaged my neck, and this has worked it's way down to my
> spine. He recommended a harness rather than the traditional strap (which
> has taken time to get used to, but is worth the battle if it means saving my
> neck). He's managed to put my back 'back' in place, but says that ideally
> it would be best if I did not play such a heavy instrument. A number of
> years ago I played baritone, and probably did damage then as well as my body
> was still growing at the time. I was also involved in a car accident about
> 10 years ago, and suffered whip lash - this probably didn't help.
>
> I'm trying swimming, exercise etc., and am improving, but the core of the
> problem still exists. Does anyone have experience / comments / suggestions?
> I don't really want to switch to Alto.
>
> Thanks,
> David R.
I use a spinstrap made by Wittman-Spins in Pennsylvania. The web site address
is:
http://www.wittman-spins.com/index.html
It is a shoulder harness that resembles a guitar strap. It goes over one
shoulder (either one) and around the back, putting the weight entirely on the
shoulder and not on the neck. These are made for both saxophones and for
guitars.
Since I am abnormally large, Wittman made a custom-sized strap at no additional
charge for me.
There are other manufacturers as well, I think.
Brendon Terry
which is comfortable for me, but I know I lose about two inches off my
height. Having a saxophone, regardless of size, hang from your neck doesn't
really help. I also play flute and because of it the area around my left
shoulder blade is one big spasm. My biggest problem is that I lack upper
body strenght and I just wasn't designed to use my muscles this way.
Here are some of the things that I have delved into over the past couple of
years: 1) see a physiotherapist who can tell you exactly what your problem
is and provide treatment and/or some strengthening excercises (your
osteopath may have done this already);
2) Stretch A LOT. Don't do neck rolls but put your head down, to each side
(ear pointing to shoulder) as well as looking over each shoulder.Do these
stretches several times/day but make sure you hold each stretch for 30
seconds counting 1-1000, 2-1000, etc.;
3) ICE. I really like those hot/cold packs; the ones with gel in them. Ice
is the best anti-inflamatory and really relieves pain. A lot of people may
recommend heat but here is the deal. If you come home at the end of the day
and feel kind of achy, heat is fine. However, if you apply heat to a muscle
injury you are speeding up the blood flow which could lead to soft tissue
damage. So remember ice for injuries and heat for pain. Always wrap your ice
pack in a towel, or some other material and leave it on for maximum 10
minutes.;
4) use a muscle cream.I like Bengay Ultra Strength Muscle Pain Relief. If
not that brand then one with salicylates in it.I'll tell you why. The first
doctor I saw about my first injury diagnosed me with tendonitis in my
forearms (from playing soprano) and recommended I take Ibuprophen (an
anti-inflamatory) for the pain. He suggested three tablets instead of two. I
ended up taking them at least three times a day so I was averaging about 12
pills/day. Not good. I have since moved and I asked my new doctor about some
natural anti-inflamatories I read about on the web and she said a cream with
salicylates works just as well.;
5) I have spent the last year studying the Alexander Technique. It is really
great. The theory behind it is that all movment should be effortless. I have
spent so long fixing my daily physical problems, I haven't even had a chance
to apply it to my music yet!!Anyway, check out this site on Alexander
Technique: www.life.uiuc.edu/jeff/alextech.html ;
6) See a massage therapist at least once/month if $$ allows. In BC the
medical coverage includes 12 massages/year but I have already used up four
or five of them in three months because I am so messed up.;
7) Take a bath in epsom salts.It's great for aches and pains and really
relaxing.
Well, I think that's about it. I also play clarinet, bassoon, and oboe so
this is something I am dedicating my life to so I don't ruin my career. The
most important thing about an injury of this nature is that you become aware
of and treat it early. Early treatment, early cure! Hey!Isn't that a slogan
for a yeast infection cream?Sorry. Anyway, best of luck.Let me know how you
get along.
Shelley Hanson,
Victoria, BC
Canada
David Rodgers <Dave.R...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:7pc96j$qu7$1...@uranium.btinternet.com...
Brendon Terry
Just another quick note to add to my posting on the sax related neck/back
problem:
My massage therapist recommended yoga and I have also heard marvelous things
about Chi Gong (spelling??)
I tried a harness once but seeing as how I have breasts, it was hard to find
one that fit. BG just came out with a new item called a Yoke Brace strap.
You can look it up on the web at www.musicindustry.com/bg/
Shelley,
Victoria, BC
Canada
Jens Haug
> Does any one out there have back / neck sax playing related problems? Read
> on if you have . . .
> I'm trying swimming, exercise etc., and am improving, but the core of the
> problem still exists. Does anyone have experience / comments / suggestions?
> I don't really want to switch to Alto.
I use a climbing belt with my alto, a friend does the same with his tenor.
They put the weight very smoothly on your shoulders.
My neck used to hurt after playing whith the usual neck strap.
Jens
Mark Rybiski
bought a Yanagisawa T-990 it is a little heavier than my old MKVI.
Mark Rybiski soul...@webtv.net
Stay on the scene like a sax machine.
Bob Willis
sax strap: http://www.johnsoncases.com/stp.htm
I ordered one last week for a bari (2" wide straps), but they also come in
1" and 1.5" widths.
Bob Willis
Pete Thomas
Gerry wrote in message <170819991639471550%sp...@primenet.com>...
>
>> I play tenor / soprano sax (about 10 - 20 hours a week, for about 12
years)
>> and have been having increasing back / neck problems. I now have an
>> oestopath who (by chance) has dealt with a number of these injuries
before.
>> Basically, I have damaged my neck, and this has worked it's way down to
my
>> spine. He recommended a harness rather than the traditional strap (which
>> has taken time to get used to, but is worth the battle if it means saving
my
>> neck).
Probably the most important thing is posture. Hunching over or leaning back
will cause problems, even though it looks hip. keep your spine straight.
(Yes yoga is a good idea - so is Alexander technique and Tai chi)
Roberto Delpiano
The problem could reside in your position, more than in the sax itself.
Remember that the moment you stand up your spine is balancing about - how much,
60-70-80 Kilograms? - you add 4 Kg, it's no big deal, after all.
Think about all the work your back muscles have to do just to keep you standing
up straight. If you already have a poor balance on the ground, all this work is
esponentially augmented. Add the weight of the sax (that is offset in respect to
the balance center of your spine) and there you are: extra stress for your
muscles.
Cream or stuff will only help alleviate the pain (and sometimes worsen the
problem, since you will be bound to continue the stress even if your muscles
can't bear it anymore - communicating this to you through pain ...)
Exercise could help if done in the right way. Running 10 miles a day or swimming
an hour is like walking on a sore foot even more. Because in extra exercising
you tend to have the same POSTURE and make the same wrong movements that you
make when you play, thus aggravating the already critical situation. Tai chi,
yoga and other "balance oriented" disiplines could help.
Rest and balance is the key (and maybe some inflammatory stuff as an extra
hand).
And also muscle consciousness. Most of the time we use our muscles in a
contracted way, and our posture is not straight, but we believe so.
Practice in front of a mirror, and any time you see that you are tilted on one
side, or one shoulder is higher than the other, try to gain the straight,
balanced position.
This is if you play standing up. Sitting down the problem should be a little
alleviated, but I am not sure. I like to play standing up, anyway, so I never
checked the difference.
I solved my spine problems having my balance checked by computer, and custom
plantars (insoles, something like that) made for my feet.
I use them since 6 years, I wear them ALL THE TIME (like glasses, after all) and
my spine/neck problems have been solved 95%.
Unfortunately the whole thing has been done in Italy, and I have no reference
how to have the same check/plantars done in the states, but a good chiropractor
should have an idea.
good luck and keep practicing!!
David Rodgers wrote:
> Does any one out there have back / neck sax playing related problems? Read
> on if you have . . .
>
> I play tenor / soprano sax (about 10 - 20 hours a week, for about 12 years)
> and have been having increasing back / neck problems. I now have an
> oestopath who (by chance) has dealt with a number of these injuries before.
> Basically, I have damaged my neck, and this has worked it's way down to my
> spine. He recommended a harness rather than the traditional strap (which
> has taken time to get used to, but is worth the battle if it means saving my
> neck). He's managed to put my back 'back' in place, but says that ideally
> it would be best if I did not play such a heavy instrument. A number of
> years ago I played baritone, and probably did damage then as well as my body
> was still growing at the time. I was also involved in a car accident about
> 10 years ago, and suffered whip lash - this probably didn't help.
>
> I'm trying swimming, exercise etc., and am improving, but the core of the
> problem still exists. Does anyone have experience / comments / suggestions?
> I don't really want to switch to Alto.
>
> Thanks,
> David R.
Maurizio Rossetto
that I couldn't move my neck very far from side to side. It was murder
driving. I tried different straps but that didn't work. This condition
lasted for about 3 years. It started as minor aches that went away then it
steadily worsened. On much convincing from my wife, I went to see a
chiropractor. He told me that it would take a few months but he could fix
it so I would be normal again. After a few visits, the pain was twice as
bad (he also warned me that this would happen and that it was part of the
healing process). Then miraculously 2 months later all the pain was gone
and I was completely cured. A couple of months after that I was playing on
a gig and by coincidence my chiropractor was there. He watched me playing
and told me that the reason my body got screwed up was that I was holding
the tenor to low on the strap, forcing my head to dip a bit. I tried to
correct it, but it affected my sound. I've been slowly shortening the
length of the strap and now I have it perfect. My sound is better than ever
and I feel great.
David Rodgers <Dave.R...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
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