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Squeezebox Information > Accordion Advice updated Feb. 15, 2007

Accordions & Back Pain
by Wendy Morrison

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.

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. It's best if you can sit down to put on your accordion -- doing so in mid air risks damage especially the keyboard. Keep the straps well away from 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.
  • 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.
  • If you must play standing up, have a footrest for one leg.
  • Use a good backstrap
  • Be sure your shoulder straps are the correct size, well padded, in good condition and properly adjusted - if they are loose and slipping off your shoulders you will get shoulder pain from unconsciously shrugging them back into place.
  • Consider using a lighter case.
  • Use a luggage cart, or if your accordion is light enough and your back can take it, backpack it with a gigbag.
  • Play a lighter accordion. There is no need to continue to play an old 28 lb. dinosaur when there are so many lighter instruments on the market. A smaller accordion can play almost anything a larger one can - you could be playing something weighing only 15 lbs.
  • Warm up and stretch before gigs and practice sessions. 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 are good. Weight training is also helpful.
  • Have fun playing! - play as relaxed as you can. If it's nothing but work all the time, the excess tension will be felt as muscle and joint pain.