The TuneUp Program

The back and neck can become strained from either sitting or standing for long periods. The main problem with the back is that it's not strong enough to hold us up. Small muscles close to the vertebrae become loaded as the spine loses it's natural curves and both large sections of the spine and individual segments lose their mobility. Eventually muscles hypertrophy and become ischaemic, spinal nerves can be impinged as spinal segments lock or when intervertabral discs move and compress them against bony structures.

Our spine doesn't cope too well with sitting on chairs, it's just not designed to do it well yet we spend most of our time on them. It's important that we learn to sit properly when we're playing, regardless of the position we prefer. A good section of the program is devoted to relearning how to sit.

The tendency to look down at our guitars causes much of our problems and is particularly bad for the neck, loading muscles at the back of the neck that can contribute to neck pain and tension headache. Again we need to learn to sit properly. When standing this tendency also makes us push our instrument forward, loading the low back as it arches. Strategies in the members section reduce tension in the legs and lumbopelvic areas taking the strain off your lower back and helping you stand correctly.

Occasionally neck and back pain can indicate a more serious pathology, if they persist or significantly restrict your movement you need to seek medical attention.

Cumulative stress disorders of the neck and back