Members BillESC Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 The end of December will mark my 37th year making my living in the 'Biz'. I first hurt my back in the mid '70 trying to catch a roadcase falling off of the back of a truck. Sixteen or seventeen years ago I had a spinal block done which allowed me to continue to work. All through my career there have been days or even weeks where I've been all but incapacited due to back pain. Thankfully these events have been few and far between until this past July. I was humping a 24' Genie Personnel lift across a yard when one of the wheels hit a pot hole...... Zip... there went the disc between L4 and L5. Doctors visit, PT, drugs, X-ray. Second visit, more drugs, MRI. Saw referred specialist and sent for a second spinal block. It's been a week and there has been an improvement. The pain is no longer crippling but my right foot feels like it belongs to Rip VanWinkle. Anyone else suffer from lower back pain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 Of course Nowhere near that bad, but humping a few cases that should have been done with 2 hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Coaster Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 i have the beginning of a bad disc. sometimes i have trouble getting up from sitting, and carrying heavy cases is a no no. i mostly have my cases sized/weight appropriately at this point except for two. bass player in my band has a much worse disc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jimmymio Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 Sorry to hear about your back Bill. Nothing worse than chronic pain. I've been in the biz nearly as long as you and over the years I've been able to downsize my rig. That and yoga keep me going strong.JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldschooler Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I have neck pain from car accidents. In less then one year, I was T-boned twice and rear-ended once. First accident, daughter stole mom's car and ran a stop sign; second accident, dude was on parole and ran across 4 lanes to T-bone me; third time, I was sitting in the car waiting for my girlfriend to get off of work, , dude claims to not see my car and pulls into the spot I was already in. All three times, these fine folks did not have insurance. My own insurance took care of everything, medical, car replacement, and my pain and suffering. Even after almost 18 months of therapy, I still feel it sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm still really young so no... not me. I pay a lot of attention to this sort of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I first hurt my back when my band's cargo van hit a ditch (back in the mid seventies), and we all went bouncing around inside. Didn't really bother me much once I got better, but twenty years later I was lifting a light box out of my trunk and wham, back pain for days. Physio and all that jazz. As long as I'm careful I can still hump heavy gear around, but if I do one rash or hurried move it's agony for a week or two. So I literally feel your pain - hope your on the mend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dogoth Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 Absolutly. Upper back & sholders damaged in 86. The disk between the 2nd & third vertabrates up just got pinched about 2 month's ago. Sciatica & knees are arthritic. I have a Chiropracter that has a degree in physical therapy that fixes EVERYTHING (She was even on an Olypmic medical team). I see her about once or twice a year. Otherwise I can still move & stack load a truck but I'm MUCH more careful (and use wheels as much as possible (common sense huh?)). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NUSound Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 Otherwise I can still move & stack load a truck but I'm MUCH more careful (and use wheels as much as possible (common sense huh?)). Nothing beats a good set of casters... 'cept maybe someone else moving it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members allexcosta Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I've had back pain and scoliosis since I can remember.Bad fall from stairs in 1999 and a week in bed.Physiotherapy for two months and back to my normal daily mild pain and stiffness.2 herniated discs and spondyloarthrosis diagnosed 2 years ago, pain has been worse.Hurt my back really bad 3 weeks ago while bending down to fix my front door's hug. Still walking funny and can't lift anything but a glass of water... Never had a health issue as bad as my back problems. It REALLY hurts a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DunedinDoug Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I've suffered from back troubles since I was a kid. Each time I injure myself it takes a little longer to heal. This past summer I was out of commission for almost three weeks. Once I was able to stand upright again, my chin lined up with my left hip. Boys, that ain't normal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members philw44 Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm alright so far touch wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members preacherman672 Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 At the hospital for an MRI right now. Lifting road cases by myself when the other help couldn't make it. But I also was a college athlete and that's simply asking for a bad back Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members andertone Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm 58 and have been playing pro since 1973. Back problems started after hefting Altec VT and dual 15 bass cabs in addition to being a shipping clerk at Powell Peralta in the late 70's early 80s. Survived that until my first born in 1996, developed a degenerative L5/S1 and herniated L5/L4. Been living with that for 10 years now, if you are careful and fear the "incident" that might happen from lifting, bending, you are OK. Twice daily extensional back and stomach exercises are the key. Still playing bass and hauling a small PA, with help. Can't wait until my 10 year old boy can start helping out as a roadie :-) There is hope, just don't do anything stupid, as that is a show-stopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 30 years of R&R, construction projects and 40 years of riding horses 5 days a week have taken it's toll I'm sure. At least I've been careful, otherwise I wouldn't be able to continue doing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted December 17, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I didn't think I'd be alone. Such good company makes me feel better. Yes, I'm careful to lift with my legs and get plenty of excercise (I'm a one man shop.) Happy and Healthy Holidays everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members scarecrowbob Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 This summer I spent a good bit of time with one of the guys who owns as local sound/light co. He's in his 50s, and he was quite excited to finally be in a position to get surgery for his back problems. No specific accidents, just years of humping heavy, 80s pro a/v equipment around. It really made an impression. I am in my very early 30s, and since this summer have become a lot more selective about what I will and won't do with my body. Hopefully, I'll still be able to work into my 60s, as this music thing is really making me wonder if retirement will ever be an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Audioeast Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I think my back pain really started when i bought CAM and SOCO Cables ....those always get me. Ive learned to try to work with them in the case but sometimes "help" leaves me with 12 Soco Cables on the ground and i gotta lift em into the case.... I hate that! I just manage with mine... i really should stretch and exercise way more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kevinnem Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 ironically, it wasn't a road case taht did me in. It was a rock. big (massive) chunck of stone, lifted it off a tial gate on on to the ground, . then went in side sat down to watch TV for a bit, .. 10 mins later, I go to get up and can't. Tuns out its a dislocated, and swallon disc- lots of pain down the back of my right leg, as well. I couldn't even stand up I had to crawl around my house, and it would take me 20 mins to get up the stairs to my bed room. I rember my motemate had to help me sit up. It was brutal. I don't even LOOK at heavey things now...... well there was this one girl.. that is a story for another day. Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members srp72ee Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 ...really making me wonder if retirement will ever be an option. No... It's a fact of life i've come to terms with recently. I'm in my late 30's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jerry007 Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 Being a performer, I think my back suffers more slinging the guitar and being on my feet for 3 long sets... I've had enough minor problems to know that I'm one 'tweak' away from something more serious, and boy do I try to be careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1tribe Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 I've suffered from back troubles since I was a kid. Each time I injure myself it takes a little longer to heal. This past summer I was out of commission for almost three weeks. Once I was able to stand upright again' date=' my chin lined up with my left hip. Boys, that ain't normal![/quote'] I surely dont laugh at your pain, but this has me crying! 49 years old and I really have to be carefully now esp with my PA gear. I was once young and stupid, now Im just stupid LOLS I was to lazy to take the ladder of the truck rack one day about 30 years ago. Why do I need a ladder when there is a perfectly good tree I thought! Going up the tree was great, did my task and started back down the tree. Well all was fine until mr branch broke with me hanging from mr branch up-side-down! About a 6-7 foot drop on to a red brick planter. I was only sore for a week or two but about 2 months later the real pain began. I was jacked up for about a year after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted December 17, 2009 Members Share Posted December 17, 2009 My back problems problems can be traced to a loadout for a joint in Battle Creek MI back in the early 80's - and involved a C3 and narrow stairway. Fortunately, it was muscle damange (i.e., no bulging disks). I regularly have pain - which can escalate into a full blown bout of sciatica if I'm not careful. For me, the secret is to keep moving. Lots of stretching and constant exercise. Let me veg out on the couch for a day or two and I'm almost certain to find myself gimping around bent over at the waist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soul-x Posted December 18, 2009 Members Share Posted December 18, 2009 Still yet to have a major incident -- although I know they do and will happen. I do try to put a lot of thought into moving things before the task; If there is a tool that can be used to help the job, I'll find a way to make use of it. Generally, I am more about overall operational efficiency more than immediacy. I know that three well planned trips will be quicker than two get-r-dun ones, particularly if the latter results in accidents or injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members snoggin Posted December 18, 2009 Members Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have had back surgery twice now.. Probably did ost of mydamage in my twenties in construction.. First laminectomy in 97 at age37.. i wasgood to go for anotehr 9 years.. i skii'd like a madman did motocross and also motorcycle road racing.. heli skied in AK.. Finally lifted something out of the trunk after cosco and then skied some pow the next week and i was screwed again.. had another laminectomy in 06 and now i try and take it easy.. I always lookfor help lifting anything remotely heavy and leave it be if i cant.. I still do stupid stuff now and then but so far nothing incapacitating or long term.. Back pain is a BITCH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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