Oww... my shoulder.

[lowrider]

I don't know how anyone can play slumped into the couch. Get off the couch. Sit on a straight chair with good posture and you problem ill probably be over.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I don't know how anyone can play slumped into the couch. Get off the couch. Sit on a straight chair with good posture and you problem ill probably be over.

This is a video I made when still pretty mucvh affected by my cancer treatment (hence the funny voice) but it re-enforces lowrider's point.

[rmp]

I do agree... getting your posture right is important.

Neck Up Straps are very good at keeping things "Right" when sitting.

I didn't think they would make a big difference till I bought one. And now I know...

[BluesyRob]

Welcome to the club.
Tendonitis in my elbows and shoulder blades and bursitis in my shoulders set in years ago.
Had to give up playing dreads.
Switched to lighter strings - from .12's to .11's. I currently have my Guild strung up with Martin Silk & Steel but not really digging the sound.
I also play my Jim Dandy a lot because short scale/small body.
Gym 4 times a week, with exercises targeting the specified problem areas (not much I can do about the elbows, but it helps the shoulders).
Stretches recommended by my chiropractor daily.
ALWAYS warm up before playing, SLOWLY.

Other tips I use sometimes but not all the time:
Play a short-scale guitar. Less string tension OR
Tune your guitar down 1/2 or 1 whole step and play with a capo on fret 1 or 2 to remain in standard tuning.
Play in classical position using a foot stool or Dynarette cushion.
Beating a dead horse - use a strap, even when sitting down.

[383roller]

Hmmm, maybe it’s Ok to just listen to your body

[warfrat73]

I fully realize that the current discomfort is largely a result of sitting on the couch noodling while watching sports for several hours this weekend. And in particular wanting to get my Northwood more in the rotation. Mini-Jumbos are not couch guitars. I don't normally spend a lot of time playing this way.

[Birdbrain]

I don't even like sitting on most couches. Too soft, unsupportive. They seem to be designed for two things: making out or falling asleep. I don't even have one in my home.

I was lucky to find a swivel office chair with arms that rotate out of the way. With the right one set out of the way, it's perfect for guitar playing. I rarely have body against the backrest. You'll play best and last longer if you keep upright, with spine mostly erect and head held high. That's the ideal, anyhow.

[L20A]

You may want to give a small guitar a try.
It will sound very different to you may not like it.

Perhaps you could buy one from a place like Guitar Center that has a 30 day return policy, should you find that you don't like the smaller guitar or that it doesn't help to relive the shoulder pain.

I got a Grand Auditorium size guitar to help with my shoulder pain.
It didn't help unless I used a strap when playing seated.
My pain lever is the same with my Dreds as it is with my GA when I'm using a strap.

While the pain is less when using the strap, it is still there and there are good and bad days.

I have gone the pain injection route and it also helps to a degree.
My answer will be a shoulder replacement if and when it is once again safe to have surgery in a hospital.

[fngrpck]

Google rotator cuff issues/symptoms and exercises and see if it applies to you. With a little info it's not terribly difficult to self-diagnose your problem and possibly alleviate it with some light exercise. It's an issue that plagues people over 60 who require repetitive arm motions usually over head. A lot of dentists, painters and guitarists are afflicted especially dread players.

[oldduc]

I have had 3 shoulder surgeries and have to be careful how I play. I have been playing more classical lately, and cannot use a foot rest, as it kills my shoulders and back. I bought a GuitarLift, https://www.stringsbymail.com/guitar...ent-21823.html, to use for classical but found that it is great for any guitar. It holds the guitar in any position you prefer and is totally adjustable. There are six different sizes/shapes and I love mine.

[MickZ]

Guys -- seriously, these posts are depressing to read. Geez, if a freaking guitar hurts you, chances are everything else probably does, too. I don't mean to sound crass, but I've had multiple surgeries and suffered my share of injuries and other health setbacks like everyone else, but I still exercise strenuously at least four times a week to stay strong and fit. I love playing my dreads and don't plan on surrendering. Man up!

[darrentoma]

A little late to this thread, but thought I might mention something that healed my chronic frozen shoulder condition just prior to taking up learning guitar about 1.5 years ago. If I were still suffering from this chronic shoulder condition I doubt I would have started learning to play and having the fun I am with it.

The advice I stumbled into online stemmed from an orthopedic surgeon who has found most people with shoulder issues (frozen, rotator cuff, impingement) can heal simply by hanging from a pull-up bar for a few minutes a day. He wrote a book and gives advice opposed to doing unnecessary surgery for a significant majority.
https://www.kirschshoulder.com

The book is rather expensive here in Canada for the number of pages and fairly simple process involved. I recently bought a used copy for future reference through Thriftbooks but have not read it yet. I modified my routine from the comical physical therapist’s YouTube video referenced in the above link (https://youtu.be/pmt7uSU3mmU) and read some of the book reviews. According to the surgeon (and mentioned by these comical therapists) if you can raise your arm to horizontal with good strength then you are a candidate for this to work. My bet is anyone playing guitar in reasonable fashion would qualify as a candidate.

My exercise/stretch routine basically involved hanging (both arms) from a 2x4 just within my reach in an unfinished part of the basement taking as much weight off my feet as possible - working up to 3 one minute reps (with a rest between each) and repeating daily (10-15 minutes eventually seems to be recommended but I think that is more for strengthening which could be good proactively). For added measure, I did some of the light weight routines shown in that video but not as religiously. Was a bit painful hanging at the start which is apparently common, but easing into the total time per repetition is the goal.

After being say 80 or 85 percent healed I would hang less frequently or just when I felt the pain/lack of function coming back - eventually I was completely healed and I had tried a good many things before this. Shoulder issues have not been a problem for me since I started learning guitar - but I do mainly practice with concert size ~85% of the time (dread ~15%). I have had some back related issues though - something about my posture or maybe just my aging out of aligned spine (60 yo). To elevate this I practice/play mainly standing and only get the back flare ups when sitting too long. Although, standing too long can sometimes cause hip issues. Intermittent stretching really seems to help though as does staying in shape as someone else mentioned.

As an advancing stage beginner I have learned a lot reading parts of this forum. Haven’t found much I can contribute until now. Hopefully this helps someone out as it has me. Let the knife be the last resort if possible.

[colins]

Welcome to the forum darrentoma and thanks for a welcome addition to the thread.

That’s an amazing way to sort out a frozen shoulder. Just reading your post brought tears to my eyes thinking about doing it , but it’s great that it worked for you.

I‘ve had multiple instances of frozen shoulder on both arms and physiotherapy did not resolve them. So I had a simple procedure from a specialist here in Australia who has done thousands of them. No knife, minimal impact. The procedure is called hydrodilatation and uses a carefully-directed injection of saline solution to free up the joint that has caught. Takes about ten minutes to do with just a local anaesthetic, then hop on the train to go home. I hope it is available in other parts of the word because it is very, very good. More info here - https://www.melbourneradiology.com.a...drodilatation/

[kizz]

I also had this problem, and now there is minimal sit back couch playing, which is a shoulder/wrist killer.
I did some of these exercises with bands, they dont cost much and the helped me..
https://www.atemi-sports.com/resista...for-shoulders/

[firstrebel]

Originally Posted by Matts67

I prefer cortisone injections to smaller bodied guitars.

Not good long term.