Hi,

I've started to suffer from back pain while playing. I can play for about 45 minutes before the muscles in my upper back on the inside of my shoulder blades start really hurting. Perhaps part of the problem is that I tend to sit quite still and tense while I play, although I have started trying to move more. I've tried stretching and that doesn't help either.

Anyone else suffer, and can anyone suggest any approaches for dealing with it?

Thanks
T

Hi Tom

I often have the same problem - so it's obviously not age related

I stretch before each practice, and I always do extensive technical work before moving onto pieces so I'm thoroughly warmed up. I find that the biggest diference comes though, when I change my posture. My back is always quite straight, with my shoulders sitting back, sort of floating over my rib cage. I find that when I'm really pedantic about my posture, anty stress is directed at my biceps - and that feels like the kind of 'good' pain you get with a work out rather than back/joint pain which is concerning.

I hope somone comes along with better advice for you!

P.S - I also think that it helps to put most of your weight on your feet rather than your seat!

I can agree that it is not age related... I sometimes get this and I am only 16.

I have thought about many different causes - the height of the piano stool in relation to the piano, the firmness of the piano stool, the distance from the piano etc but I really don't know what it is. Perhaps it is just posture and stiffness... I only get it sometimes, but I do quite often get it when I go for my piano lesson and sit at my piano teachers piano.

Regards,
Wurlz

I have had this problem (but it tends to be something I get just when sitting for too long).

This book has been very helpful. Specific things that it has mentioned have been allowing myself to move from the hips and not just bend at the waist, and to think about how things feel before playing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Every-Pianist...t/dp/1579992064

I can't say more specifically what has helped - I think it is a change of mindset - but since I started reading this book and putting it into practice, my RSI has virtually gone away; this includes the problems I had with using a computer.

I have had this too. I find that there are two ways that it has happened in me.
1) I am really tense in the shoulders - though not very much now
2) By relaxing, and working your muscles. So if you are relaxed and it is painful I find it's doing good - an indication that you are playing correctly(correct posture, position of oneself, no tension). I also only get this from playing more than 3 hours straight which is rare. At this point, I would have got pins and needles too

I agree, the answer is learning to relax.

I third this agreement.

Tension in the body, however, I do play with such ferociousness that its not a surprise.

I recommend Alexander training.

I have never had back pain playing the piano, but many years ago when I was commuting a couple of hundred miles to a new job (ther Monday morning, back home Friday night) I got back pain from the dreadful seat in my old Vauxall Cavalier.

When we moved house and I no longer had the commute the back pain (and related Sciatica) stubbornly remained. Physiotherapy did not help, nor did Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chiropractic (it gave relief dor 3 or 4 hours only) or massage (and yes, as you can see from this list, I was desperate).

But an Alexander lesson per week for 3 months appeared to fix it, as well as improving my posture no-end, and generally making my movements freer, easier, more relaxed, better controlled.

This is completely unscientific (anecdotal). It is entirely possible that I had a spontaneous remission, and that the Alexander treatment was nothing to do with it, but if you have the money it is worth a try, and it is hard to see how it could do any harm.

I'll second the recommendation for Alexander Technique. I had quite bad neck pain from playing which was completely resolved after 6 sessions. It's expensive, but well worth it in the long run.

I'll try to remember to bring this book along to the Grand Gathering on the 26th, in case anyone wants a look at it.

I find that sitting on the edge of the piano stool means that I move from the hips not the waist and ensure that the stool is high enough that your hands are not much higher than your lap - this should give you a relaxed upper back. (I've just tried this out before posting and the feeling in the upper arm is completely different )

Edit: Just remembered when I used to accompany one particular choir, they had a digital piano which, for ease of transport, was on wheels, adding a good 4 inches or more to the height of the keyboard. I used to have to sit on 3 or 4 chairs stacked together. I'm not quite 5 foot and the choristers used to think this was hilarious. Then I took over as MD and a new accompanist joined us - all 6'7" of him, and he did exactly the same thing

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I've bought "What every pianist needs to know about the body" and am making good progress with it.