Back problems

[soderlund]

Hi all,

I saw there was a similar thread about strenghening the back a while ago, but I will post this here, to not get off topic, and I do have quite specific questions.

The problem is, I really get pain in my back when practicing. Even if I take breaks every 30 minutes. True, on the weekends, I can spend several hours practicing each day, but never insanely much (extremely seldomly 6+). I try to take breaks, but sometimes it's hard to think about, and I don't really want to take a pause when I feel I am making good progress.

I sit high at the piano, but not very high. I don't vary that much though, because I can't adjust the chair I sit on. Two days ago, I worked intensely on the first movement from Beethoven op.10 no.2, I was making good progress, and didn't take many breaks. I still have pain in my back, turning my head upwards really hurt a lot, and it feels like it's not in the muscles, but in the spine. But I have no idea. Does someone have the same problems? I am worried, because I don't know if this is because of muscle fatigue or in the spine, as I said. It can't be good anyway, and this is stopping me from practice. I would like to practice more, for example today, Saturday, I have lots of time, but I don't think I could practice more than two hours, thinking about my back.

So, my question is I guess, what to do except taking breaks, and if someone knows if this might be serious troubles for the back. Not only muscular problems, I mean. Please ask if something is unclear. I need all the advices I can get, I have talked to my teacher, but she has never had similar problems, and was unsure of what to do.

[zheer]

  Think about gravity,it pulls you down,a little like my x girl friend.So instead of working against it,work round it.Start by sitting low,very low and conciously attempt lengthining upward.Imagin gravity pulling you upward.
    start first by having your back against a wall,make sure that the back of your head is touching the wall.Now bend your knee so that you back is flat against the wall,with your head still touching the wall (a little like sitting though without a chair).Now straighten your leg and walk forward towards your piano and sit in the same  upright position at your piano.
     Here is a little trick,try balancing a light book on your head as you practice,this is difficult if done with no tention in any part of your body.This way you will remember to look down at the keys with you eyes only and maintain that upright sitting maner.

[soderlund]

Thank you zheer, I will definitely try your advice with the book. Thinking about it, much of the problem might be that I look down with the whole head, not the eyes only, and sit in the exact same way for hours. I will try to sit very low, and really practice to look down with the eyes only. Thanks.

Other advices?

[bob3.1415926]

Have you tried doing back exercises? I'm guessing it's your lower back?
There's loads of exercises here
https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=Lower+Back
The one I would recommend for anyone, not just a body builder is the one called superman. It's a really effectively exercise for the lower back, but remember to do it slowly. I used to get all kinds of back pain, now I do 3 sets of 15 of these, twice a week, and nothing.
Remember though, do them as slow as possible!

[soderlund]

I will do those exercises, I think I definitely need it. I do become tired in the lower back at times, but mostly, I have problems with the upper back. This was what I described if I look upwards, with the entire head, I feel sharp pain in the center of my upper back. Could it be because the muscles are all stiff, and what is painful is really the place where the muscles attach to the spine, rather than the spine itself? I think I heard something like that, but I can't remember from whom.

[bob3.1415926]

The centre of your upper back is where the rhomboid muscle is. It's there to keep your arms attached to your body, and also to pull your shoulders back (I think). You could look up exercises for it on that website, or it could be that you are pulling your shoulders back too far as you play, so this is causing it to become sore.
I'm not an expert though. If it's a major issue, and you can afford it, I'd recommend you go see a physio.  A good physio will give you some exercises that should clear your troubles up in no time.

[soderlund]

Yes, I plan to go to a physio as soon as possible. I don't know how easy it is to fix an appointment. But it sounds like you think it's muscular problems, am I right?

[bob3.1415926]

I think it sounds like muscular problems. I think spinal trouble is highly unlikely. It wouldn't come and go, you'd be in pain all the time. The fact that it comes on after practice, and is made worse by movements (lifting the head) sounds like muscle trouble to me.
If you're in the UK, seeing a physio on the NHS takes a while (a few months perhaps and you need a GP to refer you), seeing one privately is pretty much instant, but will probably cost about £45 a session (I think...) If you're outside the UK, I don't have a clue!

[soderlund]

No, perhaps it's muscle trouble, I really hope so. I can't describe how much I don't want serious back problems.
I am in Sweden, hehe. I think it's quite expensive, and there aren't too many physios around here. I'll look into it, definitely. And do those exercises.

[bob3.1415926]

I'm afraid I don't know anything about physios in Sweden. Good luck though, I hope the exercises help.

[dan101]

This sounds like a problem you might want to bounce off your doctor, not your piano teacher. I'm not a fan of running to the doctor for every little ache and pain, but what you're describing sounds like a large pain. You need some professional answers, in my opinion. Good luck.