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Accordions & Back Pain

The main cause of back and neck pain in accordionists is the practice of playing while standing up.
This is a great way to shorten your performance career. Sit down to play whenever possible.

Most complaints about chronic back pain, from accordion players or anyone else, stem from lumbar pain - the lumbar region is the curve of vertebrae in your lower back. There are very specific (and easy) exercises you can and should do to strengthen your supporting muscles in this area, that is, your abdominal muscles. These exercises will strengthen your back and help you bear the weight of the accordion. They can be easily done lying down on any firm surface, such as an exercise mat or your living room carpet. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about these exercises, or try out these links:

  • Lumbar Stabilization Exercises
  • Physical Therapy Corner: Lower Back Pain

    • To avoid injury and back pain, don't bend over (sitting or standing) to take your accordion out of its case and lift it up. You can put the case up on a chair, stand, or low table and take out the accordion from there, or if you are stronger, go down on one knee, keep your back straight, take out your accordion, and then lift it using your legs, not your back. If you pick up and put down your accordion a lot, you may want to get a stand to keep it on when you aren't playing - suitable stands designed for sound equipment can be found at most music stores. It's best if you can sit down to strap in -- doing so in mid-air risks injury to your accordion, especially the keyboard. Keep the straps well away from and behind the keyboard when strapping on the accordion.

    Other things you can do to diminish back and shoulder pain from playing the accordion:

  • Good posture: sit upright, don't slouch when you play
  • Play sitting down so that at least one foot is planted firmly on the floor, not on tiptoe or dangling in the air. If you are very short, sit on a lower chair or use a footrest.
  • In this sitting position, it is best for your back if your knees are slightly higher than your hips. Specialty back stores carry adjustable tilting footrests for desk jockeys -- check it out.
  • Play in an armless chair with good back support or use a cushion behind your lower back. Find one at a store that specializes in back problems.
  • Allow the main weight of the accordion to rest on your thighs. Short folks: with a 41/120 accordion, this can result in the top of the accordion hitting your chin. If your torso is too short and your keyboard too long, try resting the left side of the accordion on your left knee and allow the lowest portion of the treble keyboard to rest lower, pushed up against your inner right thigh. Alternatively, straighten out one or both legs to lower the accordion. Or get an accordion with a shorter keyboard.
  • If you simply must play standing up, have a footrest for one leg, and take frequent breaks.
  • Use a good backstrap
  • Be sure your shoulder straps are the correct size, well padded, in good condition and properly adjusted.
  • Use a luggage cart, or put wheels on the case.
  • Get a lighter case, such as a padded gigbag. If your accordion is light enough for you, you can wear one like a backpack.
  • Play a smaller and/or lighter accordion. There is no need to continue to play an old 25 lb. dinosaur when there are so many lighter instruments on the market. A 96, 80 or 72 bass accordion can play almost anything a larger one can - you could be playing something weighing only 15 lbs.
  • Gigs and practice sessions: warm up beforehand, and stretch those muscles afterwards. Don't play for more than an hour without a break. Take a hot bath after a long gig.
  • Do at least SOME light exercise three times a week. Swimming is the best exercise for accordionists. Calisthenics or upper body exercises are good. Weight training at a gym is also helpful.
  • Learn to play without watching the keyboard/your right hand all the time, which causes neck strain.
  • Have fun playing! - play as relaxed as you can.

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