"I got the misery and the backache, baby..."

[MarkRhodes]

That line by Taj Mahal (from "Good Morning, Miss Brown") has been running through my mind since I hurt my back.

It was in the middle of March, so it's been over two months now.

Nothing "serious," yet it has taken a long time to heal. In part because the injury is to my lat (left side) and unlike a foot that you can stay off of or a shoulder you can sling, you can't set your side aside. In simple manners of daily use (twisting, reaching, bending, lifting) I can aggravate the muscle.

As far as guitar, I had to stop playing with a strop. I put the guitar back on my right thigh. Took getting used to but I'm this is now comfortable for me.

The biggest problem is sleeping (and certain other activities that may take place in a bedroom.) My physical therapist said my shoulders and hips must turn at the same time, never independently. Great idea. I get it. But, of course, I forget while, say, in the shower reaching for the shampoo bottle, or reaching for something to my side while practicing. (I'm sorely tempted to buy a drummer's throne because they swivel---your spine stays straight as you turn and your hips and shoulders remain in sync.)
I've adjusted to these things, and the days are much less painful than they were a month ago. But still, I have nights where I must get out of bed and go sleep in a recliner because I can't find a comfortable position to sleep.

I have another month of physical therapy to do. All will be well in the end, and the end isn't that far away. I'll be glad when it arrives because this has really put a crimp in my guitar playing, and it was crimped enough already.

[charlieparker]

That line by Taj Mahal (from "Good Morning, Miss Brown") has been running through my mind since I hurt my back.

It was in the middle of March, so it's been over two months now.

Nothing "serious," yet it has taken a long time to heal. In part because the injury is to my lat (left side) and unlike a foot that you can stay off of or a shoulder you can sling, you can't set your side aside. In simple manners of daily use (twisting, reaching, bending, lifting) I can aggravate the muscle.

As far as guitar, I had to stop playing with a strop. I put the guitar back on my right thigh. Took getting used to but I'm this is now comfortable for me.

The biggest problem is sleeping (and certain other activities that may take place in a bedroom.) My physical therapist said my shoulders and hips must turn at the same time, never independently. Great idea. I get it. But, of course, I forget while, say, in the shower reaching for the shampoo bottle, or reaching for something to my side while practicing. (I'm sorely tempted to buy a drummer's throne because they swivel---your spine stays straight as you turn and your hips and shoulders remain in sync.)
I've adjusted to these things, and the days are much less painful than they were a month ago. But still, I have nights where I must get out of bed and go sleep in a recliner because I can't find a comfortable position to sleep.

I have another month of physical therapy to do. All will be well in the end, and the end isn't that far away. I'll be glad when it arrives because this has really put a crimp in my guitar playing, and it was crimped enough already.

I injured my low back moving and it's been killing me. Doesn't hurt much. But I can't even sit on the sofa and has been impacting work, too. Been 2 months and in physical therapy and haven't touched a guitar since it happened.

The hard part is having no idea when and if it will get better.

[MarkRhodes]

I injured my low back moving and it's been killing me. Doesn't hurt much. But I can't even sit on the sofa and has been impacting work, too. Been 2 months and in physical therapy and haven't touched a guitar since it happened.

The hard part is having no idea when and if it will get better.

On my first visit to the doctor, I was told to take it easy, and it should be better in 2-3 weeks. I did take it easy. The most severe pain eased. But I still find it painful to lay on my back or to sleep through the night. And there's not much to do for it except to hang in until it gets better. It's a benefit of physical therapy that I've learned a few things to avoid doing (-No Twisting! Move Hips and Shoulders At The Same Time! Ice, not Heat!) but, man, it does drag on.