Backache

[ukslim]

Does anyone else find that their lower back starts aching when standing in front of a stage for a while? Let alone the number of gigs you stand in front of at Glastonbury..

I'm not *that* old...

Other than a good sit down to recover, any advice on avoiding it or coping with it?

[Laura_Babs]

I get that too! I have scoliosis though (my spine bends slightly in an S shape, lol), but not badly. I always assumed it was that as none of my mates ever moan.

I don't have any tips but maybe take a fold up chair and put it up in between acts so to give yourself a break.

Interested to hear of other peoples advice too.

I may also go and get some sort of massage or something at the healing fields this year to see if it helps.

[dixietheduck]

I get that too! I have scoliosis though (my spine bends slightly in an S shape, lol), but not badly. I always assumed it was that as none of my mates ever moan.

I don't have any tips but maybe take a fold up chair and put it up in between acts so to give yourself a break.

Interested to hear of other peoples advice too.

I may also go and get some sort of massage or something at the healing fields this year to see if it helps.

[Splatt]

Same here mate. By Sunday afternoon my lower back always kills, especially if it has been a muddy one & haven't been able to sit down

[Hubz]

Same here mate. By Sunday afternoon my lower back always kills, especially if it has been a muddy one & haven't been able to sit down

[K8P]

I went to a physio a couple of years ago about a twang I get sometimes and I mentioned the problem of backache when standing for a while and its down too your stomach muscles being weak due to be being pregnant. I don't what the cause for blokes, maybe too many bevvies

Better start doing some sit ups.

[kyjenni]

You may look a bit weird doing these but who cares?

Lie on your back and hug your knees in to your chest, this releases the muscles in your lower back.

Lower one of the legs to the floor and with the other leg still up to your chest holding just under the knee move it out to the side and hold the stretch for about 30 secs or longer, then move the leg across the body and stretch that for about 30 seconds. You should feel all of these stretches through your lower back, butt and top of leg.

Get on all fours and arch your back up like a cat for a few seconds, then concave it and repeat.

Lie back on back with knees bent, then while keeping feet together let your knees fall out to the side.

Finish by just lying on your back again. That should have given it all a good stretch and be feeling much better

[sdaveak47]

Just neck a couple of ibuprofen's and you'll be fine

[Laura_Babs]

I went to a physio a couple of years ago about a twang I get sometimes and I mentioned the problem of backache when standing for a while and its down too your stomach muscles being weak due to be being pregnant. I don't what the cause for blokes, maybe too many bevvies

Better start doing some sit ups.

[superdry]

You may look a bit weird doing these but who cares?

Lie on your back and hug your knees in to your chest, this releases the muscles in your lower back.

Lower one of the legs to the floor and with the other leg still up to your chest holding just under the knee move it out to the side and hold the stretch for about 30 secs or longer, then move the leg across the body and stretch that for about 30 seconds. You should feel all of these stretches through your lower back, butt and top of leg.

Get on all fours and arch your back up like a cat for a few seconds, then concave it and repeat.

Lie back on back with knees bent, then while keeping feet together let your knees fall out to the side.

Finish by just lying on your back again. That should have given it all a good stretch and be feeling much better

[PCP]

I watched the Futureheads crouched down at the back last year my back hurt so much! No excuse for me, but will be taking a bigger stash of ibuprofen this time.

[mrfunk]

Lay on your stomach and prop your chin up with your hands, with elobows on the floor.. this also helps to straighten things up... also try BioFreeze to calm the spasm down... Deep Heat soothes but won't fix the problem ..

(I've put my back out 4 times, and have a weak disk ...)

[Hello... I'm Johnny Cash]

Does anyone else find that their lower back starts aching when standing in front of a stage for a while? Let alone the number of gigs you stand in front of at Glastonbury..

I'm not *that* old...

Other than a good sit down to recover, any advice on avoiding it or coping with it?

[Sam Crawley]

I think part of it is that you never normally stand for so long in your life - unless you're on your feet for your job, how often do you stand upright, dance, trek about for 22 hours of the day for 5 days? I was almost crippled by the end of Glasto last year, was fine standing still but bending over or crawling into my tent was starting to really hurt. The solution is to cart one of those cheapo plastic chairs with cupholder and backrest so you can have your daily dose of slouching!!

[harper11]

a bit of stretching and plenty of neurofen

[autofanticide]

Does anyone else find that their lower back starts aching when standing in front of a stage for a while? Let alone the number of gigs you stand in front of at Glastonbury..

I'm not *that* old...

Other than a good sit down to recover, any advice on avoiding it or coping with it?

[Alcatraz]

Leaning back on your heels for a bit is apparently that something helps

[mells]

Stretching is a great one,especially if you're in a confined space like in the crowds.

I was at another festival a few years ago,suffered with my back for years,disc trouble etc. A chiropractor was camping next to me and he stretched me!!!!

Simply ask someone who is bigger than you to hold you by your hands,let them pull you hands up above your head,stretching you,while you let them,keeping your toes on the ground. So being stretched up till your feet come off the floor and you make sure your toes are still touching the ground. It feels amazing and is instant,take it for as long as you can. It's all about alignment.

My boyfriend is 6ft 3'' and i'm just 5ft,so he's a great candidate for me. I've even stopped big lads and asked them to stretch me,they have done too. Lovely people.

Like I said that is instant when in the crowds and feeling achy. Having a massage in between would help loads,and sleeping on a good airbed.

Good luck

[redpaprika]

It used to feel like my whole lumbar region had seized up after a couple of days camping

This stopped when I got an air bed, best bit of kit I ever bought :angry:

[chillax]

Tramadol works for me!

[mandypants]

I have the same problem, I've got one of those small backpacks with a folding stool attached, I was thinking of taking it with me, I get very uncomfortable sitting on the ground too so it will be useful. I do carry a lot of excess weight in my stomach so that's pretty much the reason for it.

[grandadcollective]

If it's really bad you could opt for back removal surgery. It sounds drastic and is but basically involves having your body removed from your neck to your navel. It apparently totally cures back ache but has a couple of drawbacks- namely - your shopping bags dragging on the floor and constantly wondering where that smell of arse is coming from. That and it's not ideal for watching bands at a festival. Personally I'd go for pain killers and a stretch or a cider enema and a whiff of poppers which won't cure the backache but the trobbing in your head and bum hole should demote it to third place.

[ukslim]

Thanks for (almost ) all the answers.

One thing that relieves it temporarily, is a yoga move a friend taught me.

Stand with legs together, and lean forward as if you're going to touch your toes.

Relax in that position with your hands hanging down. If you're already touching your toes, you probably don't need this exercise!

Now inhale deeply, and as you exhale, relax more. You should find that your hands go closer to the floor - but don't force it.

Repeat this, and your hands should drop lower each time.

This really stretches out the spine and the muscles in the problem area.

[Pinhead]

Got serious tinnitus from all the gigs and festi's have been to over the years. Lost partial hearing in right ear due to standing too close to NME Stage speaker stacks during Bently Rhythm Ace in '97.

[Ed209]

class A's seem to do the trick for me