Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'

Subject: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: GUEST,Bluegrass Girl
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 06:45 PM

I'd bet my eye teeth (still got 'em) that this subject has appeared before, but since (a) I couldn't find any old threads and (b) this is my first "attack" after playing nearly 50 years, I've got to ask ...

If any of you have suffered with this pain -- seems to be right under guitar strap on left shoulder -- do you have any quick fixes?

I've played the last two shows through this annoyance -- really hurts!

I must stand to play (typical 5 piece bluegrass band), and I practice standing quite often. I downgraded from D42 or HD28 to my 00016 - swapped thick leather strap for wide woven one, to no avail.

What am I suddenly doing wrong? Any/all help much appreciated.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 07:32 PM

When it come to Irish music I think people get more respect if they sit down while they're playing.

If all else fails maybe you could try to change the Bluegrass image to include sitting. Fifty years oin your feet is maybe long enough. You want to be sitting for the next fifty years.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: Nancy King
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 07:48 PM

I don't know much about these matters, but it sounds to me as if the problem is not the strap, but maybe your shoulder. If something you've been doing for fifty years without a problem suddenly starts causing pain, maybe you should have the doc look at it.

A short-term solution might be another style of strap -- I think there are ones that just go around the neck and somehow loop underneath the body of the guitar and hook into the sound hole. I've never tried one but I'm pretty sure I'm not making it up. Maybe one of Mudcat's hotshot pickers will know more.

McGrath, Irish bands sit, Bluegrass bands stand. It's just the way it is. You're right about standing for 50 years, though!

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 08:35 PM

Actually been standing for 60 years (didn't walk until 1 yr)!

Thanks, Nancy -- bluegrassers do and always will stand on stage; sometimes sit to practice or jam.

Thanks, too, for tip about alternative strap type. Worth a try -- worry a little about hurting the soundhole, but will give it strong consideration.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: GUEST,McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 08:41 PM

Think of, you can shatter convention, defy the tyranny of hidebound rules. And get a reputation as a rebel. And all you need do is take the weight off your feet.

THat round the neck style of strap is the classical variety, and Willy Nelson uses it.

So either way it's rebel music.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 09:08 PM

Since very few of the Civil - War era "Parlor" guitars seem to have used straps (from what I can determine from examination of period images and surviving instruments) I tend to play mine around camp sitting on whatever I can find or cross - legged on the ground. As an alternative, I have been known to find a stool, nail-keg, ammo box or such about knee - height and cock my left foot up onto it, resting the waist of the guitar over my sort-of horizontal upper leg (they seem to have always played over the left leg back in the olden days, and sometimes even used a brick or little "cricket" stool under the left foot while seated). This makes for a pretty stable playing position sans strap.

I asked A'nt Mahtha, who just happens to be a Registered Occupational Therapist, for suggestions; she sez she really can't diagnose you without seeing, (and probably poking and prodding) you. It could be bursitis, or a weak scapulea (helped by certain excersizes), arthritis or any number of things. I have had my neck go out and cause all sorts of spasms and pain in my shoulder and arm, and about crippled me right up.

My left arm and hand has a bad habit of tingling, "going to sleep" and going numb after 4 or 5 songs. Usually I switch to the whistle or flute, do somthing a capella or tell a joke / yarn while doing some stretches A'nt Mah'tha showed me for "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome", which help quite a bit.

Nancy's advice to seek medical attention seems very appropriate. I might check with an Osteopath or someone who specializes in sports Medicine; refferral to a Physical or Occupational Therapist for specialized evaluation and treatment might be a good call as well.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: 53
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 09:17 PM

Have you considered chiropractic. It may be just the solution you need to restore your shoulder to health. Some people don't believe in it but it is sometimes a very good cure. Just a bit of misalignment in the spinal column can cause excessive pain in surrounding tissues due to nerves being pinched.

Glenda

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 09:19 PM

You said "after playing 50 years." Are you perchance a 50+ female? If so, it could be a common "frozen shoulder." Your doc can diagnose it easily. Mine lasted nearly six months. My orthopedic surgeon friend gave me some exercises that helped. Another doc said only time would heal it. See a doc! For me the pain was greatest when I reached out the car window in a lateral type move.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 09:34 PM

Fiddler Tom McConville swears by the Alexander technique (and he teaches it), and lots of musicians have found it very effective. Here is a page specifically about the "The Alexander Technique for Musicians" - even for those of us who sit down, playing musicial instruments can put peculiar strains on the body.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 01 - 09:59 PM

Thanks all -- good advice (except for sitting down!!!!). Will see the Doc for sure -- just thought some of you might have been up against this syndrome before and had a quick fix.

It just made me curious that I was doing something differently -- we jam at festivals for 4-6 hour stints, standing, and have had no trouble.

Now suddenly I can't get through more than 5-6 songs before this annoying pain sets in.

But as you have universally pointed out, it's a matter for the medical pros - MD, orthopedic, osteopathic, or chiropractic -- no hang-ups there.

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: Gillie
Date: 06 Nov 01 - 09:03 AM

The round the shoulder strap, discussed is a saxaphone strap. I use one on my classical guitar as there isn't a nut at the end to attach a convential strap.

After fifty years of playing I think your shoulder could indeed do with some medical attention. Aromertherepy masseuers are good!!

Good luck

Subject: RE: Help: 'Guitar Shoulder'
From: Fortunato
Date: 06 Nov 01 - 10:27 AM

Guest, (I'm not a doctor, just a guitar player and husband) I believe the are you describe is a common area for women to gather 'stress'. That is, the muscles in this area are tensed in order to control some stress factor. We have had some success with daily massage, but one should look at factors in the environment to eliminate. For example, is there someone new in your band who requires extra effort to keep on beat? If you and your Bass player are not easily locking in are you having to force the beat? Are you singing more now and therefore under more pressure while playing?

I agree with seeing your doctor, anti-inflammatories would probably help and some rest to let inflammation in the muscles heal. Now I hate to say this, but I am 55 and I can't play or 5 or 6 hours straight without breaks any more. So young as you are maybe some breaks and stretches for your shoulder are in order.