Playing the piano with back pain?

Poica
Poica Member Posts: 2
edited 12. Aug 2011, 11:49 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi - I'm a newbie here! I have a friend with osteoarthritis in the lower back. She loves playing the piano but she's finding that the piano stool she's got means that she's in agony if she tries to play for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. Has anyone got any ideas about any chairs or anything she could buy that would let her play the piano but would relieve some of the pain?

Thank you!

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I'm sorry I've no ideas about chairs or piano stools but why not google and see what come us

    Love
    hileena
  • weejean
    weejean Member Posts: 346
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Poica

    I am not sure if I can help but if you knew someone who was good at carpentry they could maybe design some kind of back support that could be fitted to the piano stool. Hope your friend finds something suitable so that she can continue to play the piano without it causing so much discomfort.
    Big Hugs
    Jean xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Poica

    Welcome to the forum.

    I just wonder if one of those chairs you sit and kneel on could help for a bit? When I was recovering from the decompression thats what I had to sit on and it does help take the weight off your back.

    The draw back.... using the peddles now I think about it....

    Might be an idea to contact the mobility shops etc.... she can't be the only one who need something better than a piano stool... very uncomfortable a i remember.

    I hope you can find a solution and nice to meet you. Cris x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I agree with skezier. The pedals might be more of a problem than the actual sitting. If piano playing is so important to your friend I’d suggest first talking to someone from a good piano shop (Email online if necessary) describing the problem to see if they can suggest anything and, if not, having a good look at different piano stool styles. Some might be better than others and some might be more suitable for use with some sort of specialist cushion (memory foam?) that might absorb some of the awkward movements.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The pedals might be part of the problem....the way it pulls your back when you have your feet sort of upwards.....

    has she tried using a tens machine or o heat pack while she is playing??

    Love

    toni xx

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