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Regulars
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I've been practicing in pretty flimsy footwear since I started learning to play.
At some point during my practice session, my back starts to get achy. Nothing major but if I don't stop and stretch, those big muscles running up and down either side of my spine get tighter and tighter.
Today, by chance, I was still wearing thick-souled, very supportive sports shoes when I started practicing.
Over an hour later... lo and behold... not a trace of tight back muscles!
Have I magically improved my tension problem over night or is it possible that this is connected to my super sneakers?
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Very cool Holly.
Stop wearing those 6-inch spikes when you practice. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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Regulars
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I’m glad that I keep a pair of these handy any time I read a post by bocaholly!
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
Regulars
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Lol. Maybe some of both.
Opportunity is often missed because it wears suspenders and looks like hard work.
Regulars
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I wouldn't be surprised at all if the shoes make a difference. Proper shoes are often used as a prevention for back and knee pain, as well as tension in the back muscles and shoulders. I know that some violinists use standing workstation mats when they practice for that reason.
I don't really know whether wearing a proper pair of shoes would make a difference to my playing, because I don't wear shoes indoors except in public places. But generally I feel a huge difference between wearing supportive shoes and those who isn't as supportive, when standing and walking. Tension wise that is.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
Regulars
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I never wear shoes at home but I wouldn’t play very well on high heels I think ? Since two weeks I’m standing when I play before I was sitting on a bar stool ?
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about dancing in the rain!!
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Good shoes will correct issues with posture and balance of the body. Especially if you have some underlying issue with your feet. Incorrect posture of the feet will mess up everything above it. Would be interesting to know if you've ever experienced issues with pain when walking or doing things barefoot, or in very flat shoes.
As a sidenote, a lot of people are constantly tilting their pelvis too much, either forwards or back. (think duckbutts or pouting lower belly) This will cause major problems too.
I can't really tell what pain I get specifically from standing and playing, as I am in pain all the time anyways. But I am tempted to try put my runners on for practice tomorrow.
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Regulars
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I use ibuprofen. It’s magical!
- Pete -
Regulars
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ha, ha,... ibuprofen... another good point in common between golf and violin!
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Good shoes definitely seem important to longer playing and better posture.
I don't know what to say about pain killers. LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Just wanted to say that while practicing today, my lower back was getting tired and sore. Doesn't always happen, but sometimes. So I put the violin down and went and put on my decent runners, and after continuing playing for a bit, I noticed the aching back was gone.
Always knew about good shoes and posture, but never considered putting on shoes specifically for practicing. But from now on I probably will.
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