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Geez I have been a really especially grumpy bastard the last few weeks. My back has been killing me. I tried working out at the gym more but it really did not get better.
My neck mobility was down 30%, I finally went to see the chiropractor and he cracked my spine and neck. I can move my head all the way around my neck 360 degrees now. Well almost. I'm going to some followup visits to keep working on spine flexibility.
Don't neglect your spine and hip flexiblity guitar players. Take some time with it. Grouch out.
Glad to hear you're ok now! same happened to me. After a work out my spine started hurting :S... the pain lasted almost 2 weeks.. but I'm ok now ....
I also was planning to going to the chiropractor but a friend told me that sometimes they can leave you even worst jejej...so I decided to wait, and it really sucked with that terrible pain while siting with my guitar
Yes I agree sometimes the chiropractor can mess you up, I use him judiciously. But my back was just so inflexible and worked into a bad spot that it took him to crack my back and open it up. You have to find one you trust who is very good and careful.
I've also been consulting and seeing a musical physical therapist the past two year a when I need it. Helped my fore arm tendonitis and taught me how to keep from getting recurring bouts- ain't getting younger.
Guitar playing is NOT easy on the health, especially with advancing age, and if pre-existent injuries / weaknesses occur. I have some booboos of my own, and they make playing an ordeal sometimes. That's why I just have to stop and take a few days break every now and then. Can't seem to have a continuous playing streak anymore, but not that I've started using the traditionalposition, it's gotten much much better.
Chiropractors are a hazard in my opinion, and I studied this stuff (Radiography College at the Middlesex Hospital , London).
I also was nearly crippled by one in the US.
Osteopaths, physios or surgery. I had all three in the end. For this one, I would go to an osteopath, though I think they are rarer in the US?
Chiropractic can do more harm than good. You really should avoid chiropractors. I had a conversation with a chiropractor a few years ago and he told me that insurance companies decided they do the same thing as physical therapists. Not good for the chiropractic profession...
Osteopaths are accepted in most states in the US as physicians provided they attend a school that is similar to a medical school which follows the same training steps, etc. Instead of MD they have DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) after their names. I don't think there are many masters level osteopaths in the US, but they would likely be considered physical therapists.
Luckily I know an osteopath who is also an acupuncturist and, but first he was a chiropractor. Then I have this other guy who is a chiropractor, but he's exceptional. I also have a physio therapist who specializes in musicians and dancers. Between the three I get opinions and I make decisions about what to do.The osteopath is who I consider the lead guy.
I've talked to all of them about the differences between osteopathy, which has its roots in the ideas of an American Civil War battle field doctor, and the other forms. The combination of acupuncture and some osteopathic routes have really helped me through tendonitis.
One day the osteopath just looked at me and said you need to lift weights not do yoga. I stared lifting weights little by little and the tendonitis became less and less acute. The pyhsio also said lift weights, they gave me specific things to do to strengthen muscle groups.
It's a constant struggle doing what I do. Just saying think about your plan for maintaining yourself before it gets icky.