Has anyone experienced upper back pain while practicing?

General Music Discussion
#1

For about a year and a half now, whenever I make an attempt to practice I experience some intense pain in my right rhomboid. Usually, I notice it about 10-15 minutes after I start practicing at faster speeds. At first, I had assumed it was from looking down at my hands while playing since I have a habit of doing that. I went to physical therapy to get some help but while those exercises can reduce the pain, the pain is still present. I ended up taking a break from playing for about a month or two and the pain practically disappeared.

When I started practicing again, the pain returned. But this time I noticed that any time I attempt to play fast, I flex my rhomboid and move my shoulder backwards (sometimes forwards). It’s almost like the movement and flexing of those muscles is involuntary. Somehow my brain and body have learned that playing fast = flexing specific muscles and holding tension when that shouldn’t be the case. I suspect that this is the culprit and that I will have to be extremely aware of my body as I play and reduce the muscle activation.

Has anyone experienced anything similar to this? Have you had any success at reducing or eliminating pain caused by bad technique or habits? I feel like I’m at my wits end trying to get through this. I’d rather this issue not be the reason I have to quit playing.

#2

Not sure if this will help as I’ve never experienced this myself, but I notice a lot of players, even great ones, tend to shrug their right (picking hand) shoulder - this is especially obvious when sitting down. I can’t help but think this could potentially cause an issue, and sitting classical style (guitar on left leg) prevents it, for myself, at least. Have you tried playing left leg, and does it help you achieve a better sense of shoulder/back balance?

#3

I play V shaped guitars so playing in classical position is about the only way I can play while sitting. The motion my shoulder makes isn’t really a shrug either. It’s the same motion you would use if you were to pinch your shoulder blades together and squeeze, except it only happens on one side. It doesn’t matter if I’m sitting or standing. The second I start trying to play fast my shoulder involuntarily moves and about 10 minutes later I’m in pain.

#4

Hmmmm… assuming this is a learned, but unnecessary habit, maybe try experimenting with a totally different picking motion? I just reviewed the videos from your December post - if you’re still basically doing the same thing, try elbow. Not as a permanent change, just to see if you can do some sort of fast picking without engaging the “half row” contraction in your back.