Back/Chest Pains?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TelePaul
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TelePaul

TelePaul

J to the R O C
I've been getting some muscle pains in my back/chest/shoulder/whatever and I'm pretty sure it's from strapping a guitar to myself for hours on end - specifically the Les Paul. No doubt Greg L is gonna row in and tell me what a little bitch I am, but I wouldnt consider myself small or weak. Anybody else get this? I play almost always standing up.
 
Garcia's Tiger weighed over 11 pounds. Jerry had curvature of his spine from playing so much over the years.
 
TelePaul said:
I know man, but I figured a fag comment was probably in order. And hell, you're the guy to make it! :)
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LP's are heavy. That's part of the reason they sound better than everything else. ;)

If it bothers you, you need to strengthen your core. Do lower back and ab exercises to stabilize your trunk. Work on your posture too. Make sure you aint slumping. Jerry Garcia sucked. There's no reason to go down that road. ;)
 
Greg_L said:
LP's are heavy. That's part of the reason they sound better than everything else. ;)

If it bothers you, you need to strengthen your core. Do lower back and ab exercises to stabilize your trunk. Work on your posture too. Make sure you aint slumping. Jerry Garcia sucked. There's no reason to go down that road. ;)
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Haha! Yeah, I gotta at least stretch it out before hand. And I know I stand with one leg out in front of the other...I hope I'm not subconsciously looking over the fingerboard, I'm sure that wouldnt help my case.
 
Proper posture:

JohnnyRamone.jpg
 
I'm being weighted by a LP baritone..

Keeping at least two 2-3hour rehealsals standing up per week got me pretty well used to the weight, albeit sharp, short pains from my fretting shoulder and side of my neck started to occur..
But 10 days without rehealsals, and feel the cramping muscles again.

Again and again, it pays to drink mineralwater, not beer, before rehealsals and gigs.
 
If the pains radiate down your limbs or send tingles down your limbs then it could be a sign of nerve damage. Damaged discs in your neck/back can cause pain to wrap around your waist, down your legs, through your arms, or through your chest.

My wife battles with a degenerative disorder in the discs in her back and neck and the pain manifests itself in strange ways sometimes. So if the pains shoot down your arms or go all the way through from your back to your chest, or if you experience numbness or tingling in your extremeties, it could be something more serious than just a strain or an overstressed muscle or joint.

Otherwise, just rest it. Play sitting down for a portion or all of your playing time over the next couple of weeks (but keep your posture proper!). Or maybe just take a couple of weeks away from the instrument if the pain is severe.

Hope you recover swiftly. Pain sucks.
 
ocnor said:
Except for a Strat with humbuckers.
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Strats with humbuckers are stupider than regular strats, which are plenty stupid in their own right. No my friend, if you just have to use a strat, you gotta leave the singles in there.
 
LPs are notorious for killing guys backs. Go to the Les Paul Forum and read all about it. Gibson has been doing the swiss cheese thing to them lately in an effort to lighten them up. They also have chambered ones. Some guys love 'em, some hate 'em.

I have three Les Pauls I play regularly. They're all solid, 9 lbs and up. I try not to whine like a little school girl but after three hours my back does get seriously sore. Comes with the territory.


lou
 
Nothing screams rock and roll like a guy sitting with a Les Paul.
 
Greg_L said:
Nothing screams rock and roll like a guy sitting with a Les Paul.
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Ultimately music is for listening,not watching,but some people are more into the show than what they're actually hearing.:rolleyes:That would explain Kiss fans.:p

I can't stand sitting while playing myself.
 
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