Neck and back pain playing guitar

Question

any tips on how to deal

I play acoustic (wide body) generally

I'm getting pains under my left scapula and it radiates pain out, down my arm, sends pain down my left arm, up my neck, also wrist twinges in my left wrist

aside from getting a f***ing decent chair, getting off my p.o.s. couch, and improving my playing posture (duh) - any tips on how to deal

the longer I practice, the lower the guitar neck gets, the lower my neck gets, the slumpier I get, left wrist starts getting over-extended... you know...

Answer 1

May I suggest that you go to a Chiropractor for this,  that you could be out of an alignment.  Try practising to sit up straight, shoulders back and tilt your head back slowly so that you don't become light headed.   I am seeing one for my bad back.  I hope you are not slumping over when you are playing your guitar.  Maybe you should shorten your practicing that you wouldn't be slumped over while playing.  And when you do go to the Chiropractor, he will want x-rays done.  By the sound of this, you may have a pinched nerve in the neck or in the middle of the shoulder blade.  

Answer 2

Unless you have some physical problem that you're not aware of, all I can think of is something you mentioned yourself, Posture. Sitting with your spine and neck as straight as possible will work wonders.I used to find myself tiring early and feeling pain but as I had no formal lessons, I had a good friend who played professionally. He helped me greatly. He told me to stop looking constantly at where my fingers were on the neck, of course you have to glance occasionally, but if you're looking constantly at the neck,you cannot maintain proper posture. It took me some time and practice to change this habit but when I did it helped greatly. I hope this might help some.Playing is fun and rewarding, but not when you're in pain.Best to you! Just thought of one other thing, you mentioned wide body, I dont know what kind of guitar you're playing, but if it,s too wide that could be a problem, especially if you're not particularly tall or long armed. If you can afford it a Martin D-28 is a wonderful instrument,not particularly wide and a great sounding guitar that is an investment, the older a Martin gets the more it's worth. You might go to a music store and try some thinner guitars,.just a thought.Again I hope you find a solution,wasting talent for a correctable reason would be a shame. Best of luck, you'll get it together.

Answer 3

Its definitely your posture and how low your guitar is. You don't want to play the guitar so low because its unnatural.Also... don't look at your fingers when you play. This will help your neck out alot if its straight up. I would put the guitar around 2 feet from your shoulders. Also... I would lay off the guitar for a while until the pain subsides.  

Answer 4

Could be your strap

Buy a thick one with lots of padding

It might be like 30-45$ but they last

Answer 5

First, get off the sofa! Sit on a kitchen chair or a box or anything else.

Stand if you must. If you are sitting on a chair with no back, move it back against a wall and sit up straight, so you are against the wall. Practice posture as well as playing.

Answer 6

Hi Abel

Yo have a pinched nerve in the neck properly. I play with an old LesPaul gibson 1963 and weights a ton.

I had a chiropractor friend who gave me one treatment, and the pain subsided after a couple of days and it never re-occured. It starts from the lower back and the spine is the backbone holding you up.  If it fails, everything else follows.