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richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1069
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 5:06 pm:   Edit Post

I'm calling out to guitarists or bass guitarists who have problems standing up to play because of back pain.
I am developing a product that will help. I am sorry that I can't elaborate right now about the design details.
I am fortunate that I don't really have problems with my back. I can stand and play for a couple of hours at a time without very much discomfort.
So, I'm asking for a few people who would be willing to volunteer for a little experiment. This is not going to hurt. If you know a guitarist/bassist (yourself included) who experiences back pain while standing to play, and would be willing to help out, please contact me at foster939@msn.com . In the email subject field please put "Alembic" so I won't think it's junk mail.
Thanks for your help. Hopefully, in the near future, if all goes well, I will be offering a very reasonably priced item that will help out.
Thanks,
Rich
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4222
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

Rich:

Does this include a bad disk that results in leg pain/sciatica?

Bill, tgo
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1070
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 9:16 pm:   Edit Post

Bill, I didn't get into enough detail, I guess. Basically, the item is for anyone who has any kind of trouble playing a guitar because it hangs on the shoulder and puts its w-e-i-g-h-t on the back.
I also failed to mention that you don't have to email me. If you want to discuss it on this board that is fine.
Rich

edit - That was weird. When I typed in the word that I later spelled out above, it dragged along a pop-up for some w-e-i-g-h-t loss site.

(Message edited by richbass939 on December 16, 2009)
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 936
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 9:26 pm:   Edit Post

I'm beginning to feel some aching after standing
and playing for an hour or more (and that's with just a guitar) so you have my attention.
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 937
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 9:32 pm:   Edit Post

That is weird...maybe time for a norton scan?

I hate all that advertising that anchors on keywords in blogs etc.
One reason I like this place so much...hope you can remedy that anomaly .
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4224
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 9:41 pm:   Edit Post

I jam every once in a while with a bass player who has a custom stand for his bass and just walks up behind it.

Bill, tgo
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1137
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 9:59 pm:   Edit Post

Odd how the timing of this thread popped up. I herniated a disc in my low back (L5-S1) in 2004 while living in NZ and had to have an emergency laminectomy/discectomy performed. I was pain and symptom free until 8 weeks ago when I slipped while on a run and relapsed the disc. Another surgery and some trimming of the disc proved to be successful- at least for 7 weeks. Last week the searing Sciatic pain returned and after another MRI, it's clear that the disc has nothing left...... I am going into surgery tomorrow morning for a L5-S1 fusion.

I guess that means I'm interested Rich!!!
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1071
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 5:42 am:   Edit Post

Toby, sorry to hear that you are needing more surgery, but hope all goes well.
Bill, I'll email you tonight with the details.
Elwoodblue, please email me at the address in the first post and I'll mail you back.
Thank you to you guys for the assistance.

If anyone else is interested, email me or post here.

Sorry about being so stealthy. I plan to patent (if possible) the device and want to be very careful at this point.

Thanks,
Rich
crobbins
Senior Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 511
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 6:51 am:   Edit Post

It's not my back that bothers me. It's my feet. I get a burning sensation in the ball of my right foot, after standing for a couple of hours.. Ouch...
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 723
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post

My wife is a Chiropractor, so I guess I'm in luck. :-)
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4228
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 8:12 am:   Edit Post

Rich:

I will keep everything on the QT. Consider it "attorney/client" privileged.

Bill, tgo
lmiwa
Advanced Member
Username: lmiwa

Post Number: 274
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post

Is this meant to help back pain only, or will it help with other instrument weight related issues?
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1072
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 6:25 pm:   Edit Post

Lmiwa, it might help with other weight issues, I don't really know. It is designed for a specific purpose but might have other benefits, too.

Wow, I hope I didn't just open a can of worms here asking my questions but giving vague, evasive answers. Sorry folks.

Rich
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4231
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 9:49 pm:   Edit Post

Rich:

Isn't that Hal's job around here?

Bill, tgo
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1073
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 5:58 am:   Edit Post

I think so. Sorry. Not meaning to invade anyone elses turf.


Emails sent to everyone. If I missed anyone, sorry, email me again and I will send you one.

Rich
hankster
Advanced Member
Username: hankster

Post Number: 221
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 7:34 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry to hear about everyone's back issues. I myself have four herniated discs in my cervical spine - the only cause I can guess at is bouncin' my head up and down while playing bass.

for those of you who have back or neck issues that aren't yet at the surgical/fusion stage, i can only say DO ISOMETRIC EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES AROUND YOUR SPINE!. These exercises are easy, take a few minutes a day, and are the key to keeping your nearly-herniated discs in place as you get older. And they are the difference between no pain and excruciating pain. You can ask your doctor about them, and if they are any good, they will know about them. And even if your discs have herniated, these exercises will improve the situation and make your life liveable again.

r.
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 940
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, December 18, 2009 - 8:52 pm:   Edit Post

Many thanks for the tips Hankster,
I can see if I depend on the inertia of my youth
(long gone as I'm 44 now) I would probably find myself in alot of pain in the future.
much appreciated, : )
Kris
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 1173
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 2:48 am:   Edit Post

I will also recommend Qi Gong or Tai Chi. It has done me a world of good and it has wide ranging benefits for your health and well being.I have damage in my neck, middle and lower back and I intend to live long and chase the nurses around the place with my zimmer!
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1138
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 10:13 am:   Edit Post

Rich,

I am home from the hospital now- pretty drugged up and whatnot, but haven't seen your email. It may have been sniped by my spam filter. If you'd like to resend the email, I'd love to see what you have planned.

To everyone else- stretch, strengthen and stretch some more. I'm a healthy guy and an exercise freak and it's amazing how out of balance we can allow our bodies to become. I couldn't have avoided the original trauma to the disc, but I do think that had I been more flexible and better balanced that I might have avoided what I've just gone through. Pilates, Yoga, Stretching.... do something for yourself, because you only have one back and once it's injured, it's going to always be there.

My surgery went long (over 5 hours), but went well from what the surgeon tells me. I think I am extra sore as a result of my fitness level- the surgeon said that most of the time they get to the point of a fusion, the patient is so atrophied that there really isn't any musculature to deal with. That wasn't the case with me. I have been swimming every day and finished a couple triathlons in August.. As a result, they had to pull, push and manipulate all of those muscles out of the way during the surgery and stretch me out in ways they don't normally have to during surgery. I'm paying the price for that post-op with soreness.

Sorry for the rant.... I am home now and off the morphine, but still packed full of percocet, so if this doesn't make sense, blame the blood chemistry equation I have happening!!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 582
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post

I wish you a speedy recovery .
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9052
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 7:09 pm:   Edit Post

Wow Toby! Wishing you a successful recovery.

My contribution to what others have suggested above. Yoga. Everyday.

As mentioned, once we're into our thirties, our muscles start losing their natural elasticity, and can only remain elastic with daily stretching. Thus, a daily routine of stretching all the muscles of the body can be very beneficial as we get older. It also feels very good.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1139
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 7:40 pm:   Edit Post

thanks Wolf and Dave!
mario_farufyno
Advanced Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 393
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 8:27 pm:   Edit Post

Good recovery, Toby!
richbass939
Senior Member
Username: richbass939

Post Number: 1074
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 8:35 pm:   Edit Post

Toby, take care of yourself. Better living with chemistry.
Email sent.
Rich
smokinbear
Member
Username: smokinbear

Post Number: 64
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 6:20 am:   Edit Post

Tbrannon, Glad to see your doing well i am in the same boat with my back i just had my 6th. radiofreq neurotomy last week and fusion of L-5 S-1 is the next step if pain gets much worse. Sounds like post op really sucks for you, i'm 34 and in pretty good health so major surgery is a scary option. Did they go in from the front or back or both? Opiates are a double edged sword, and i am really curious as to the long term pluses/minuses of yer surgery. Be well in 2010. .....Bear.P.s. I almost forgot the original point of this thread, yes i,m interested .
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1144
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 6:57 am:   Edit Post

Bear,
I'm now 13 days post-op and I took my last percocet on day 6. I'm only taking Tylenol now, and find that 2 in the morning and 2 at night are all I need to be comfortable. I am up to a 2 mile brisk walk two or three times per day and find that the more I walk the better I feel.

I'm realizing now that all of my post-op pain was the muscles in my back, hips and butt revolting from all the stress they get put through in the surgery, by day 5 I was feeling pretty comfortable and the trick now is to be patient and let the thing fuse properly. The doctor told me nothing but walking for the first six weeks- at that point I should be ok to start swimming.

My surgery was all done from the back, which I'm sure speeds up the healing. Either way, I know I am well ahead of schedule- I just have to take it easy and not screw this up.

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