Ive been back playing the violin for about 3 months after a 20 year break but Im suffering achy hands and wrists and sometimes get back ache. I am taking weekly lessons and am practicing every night as Im determined to get to the standard I used to be at and join an orchestra again. Do you think this is just down to the fact that Im not used to it or an age thing and do you think it will get better??

I suffer from a bad back after doing nursing for years and I find that sitting down makes it easier to play and I don't get so achy. Try to keep your back fairly straight and take a break every 15 minutes - have a stretch and a walk around.

I think that once you get your muscles moving again it will get better, but don't push it - take it easy to begin with.

You might find that a nice, hot bath afterwards will ease the pain. Add some lavender essential oil to the bathwater.

If the problem persists then you could always pay a visit to a chiropractor - they're excellent for relieving back problems, pain and stiffness.

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen gel can also help relieve the pain and inflammation.

Yoga and swimming are good forms of exercise to strengthen and loosen muscles up.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Echelon, I get lower back pain from years of horseriding but this is more upper back/ shoulder pain. I will try sat down, didnt think of that. Its going to be fun as Im playing on the stairs landing at the moment so I dont blast the neighbours out. Once I feel Im playing decent again I wont feel so concious about anybody hearing me..

*LOL*

Hey, don't worry about the neighbours hearing you! I'm just a beginner and the neighbours can hear me playing in the kitchen with my back door open! I'm not ashamed! Just go for it - comfort comes first!

Could it be your posture?

Ask your teacher, she may have some exercises or advice about how to get rid of it.
x

YOu might be surprised!
I have always practiced in my bedroom with the window open. All my neighbours can hear me and to my surprise they were all commenting how nice it sounds LOL this was even in the beginning!

So, a fellow back pain sufferer? I too feel it is probably a posture problem - you may have to try changing your posture to alleviate the pain in your upper back. My teachers all said the same to me as I too suffer from the same gripe. The advice I had was - if you are playing standing up, keep your feet apart (shoulder - width is generally advised) and point one foot slightly to the side - left is best. Then, with a mirror in front of you, check you are not leaning to one side or the other - keeping a straight back is the goal.

The achy feeling in your hands and wrists is probably a result of tension. Being relaxed when you play is vital to avoid this, but easier said than done. Make sure you are not tense when you begin to play, and if you do notice any tension creeping in - e.g. you are gripping the violin tightly- then stop, put the violin down, shake out the tension, lift your shoulders up and drop them down, flex your fingers, whatever works for you. Frequent breaks are a good idea too, especially if you are having a marathon practice session.

As for people passing comment after listening to their violin-playing neighbours, I also had no idea my neighbours could hear every note I play. Practising in my bedroom (window open), my neighbours have told me they can hear me clearly... several doors up the street ! I should charge them performance fees

I love hearing people practise - even if they're just learning and aren't so good. Hearing somebody playing a musical instrument is lovely.

I have this problem too.

Mine is actually medical and it means I have poor muscle tone so I'm never very fit and I get tired easily. My main concern is that after about half an hour of standing up playing my posture drops becuase I can't find enough spare energy not to balance my elbow on my waist.

My teacher also gets exasperated when I can't relax my wrist on my left hand - it just seems to be tensed up most of the time with the effort of trying to keep my violin up and stretching my fingers...

Guess I'll just have to practice more...

Thanks everyone. I seem to be doing wierd things with my legs!!! like standing on one leg with the other wrapped round my ankle At least reading your comments has made me aware of this
My hand/wrist aches with vibrato, Ive now realised.
And hubby came home today and said he could hear me outside, I was mortified but then he said it sounded good, they say anything dont they lol. I was playing in the bathroom at the time!!
Thanks again for the replies, its really made me realise how bad my posture actually is.

Does anyone have similar problems with the cello? I started playing about 6 months ago, and often get an achey right arm. I think it might be how I hold the bow - I played the violin as a child, and always seem to end up holding the cello bow at a violinist angle! It's a pain if I want to then go on and play the piano ...!

I am experiencing the same problem. When I play the first movement of the Hayddn Violin Concerto (for got which key) at the end my back is killing me!!
I am also experiencing Wrist and Hand problems but I've been to the doctors and had xrays and othing is wrong. According to my Mum it's just growing pain. But it won't be the same problem!!

D x