Jump to content

Operating Back Problems


Justin R Goff

Recommended Posts

No, but I could do with a good foot rub.

 

 

i guess that depends on what you call pain? if you do not work constantly, back muscles will definintely 'hurt' , if it's something different...

 

 

Haha, a foot rub does sound nice.

 

I will admit I am pretty new to operating. So any feedback to help me learn is always welcome and appreciated.

So far my only experience has been with a Back Mounted Vest. I have enjoyed it a lot because of the way that it distributes the weight of the whole rig throughout my body bone structure from the hips. This takes a lot of the weight off my back even to the point where sometimes almost none of the weight is on the shoulder straps. My back doesn't do so well with a lot of weight on my shoulders so I like this.

 

I have heard feedback in the past from operators that use Front Mounted Vest that said they experienced some degree of back pain. They said the reason could be because the way a Front Mounted Vest distributes the weight can be a lot on the shoulders and our shoulders are not made to hold so much weight for a long period of time. I have no experience with a Front Mounted Vest to be able to compare.

 

  • Have any of you experienced a similar feeling with a Front Mounted Vest after a long day?
  • Does it seem to wear you out faster because a lot of the weight is on the shoulders?
  • Is this even true that a lot of the weight rest on the shoulders with a Front Mounted Vest?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

If your vest fits right you should not have a lot of weight on your shoulders.

 

I do get some sciatica when I haven't been working much lately and as a result spend a lot more time sitting at a computer, etc. Moving around, operating Steadicam, etc actually makes It go away. Don't know how Steadicam effects it in the long term but in the short term the effect seems to be a good one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I used to have some back problems related to a snowboarding accident that happened years ago, but since I started steadicam 11 years ago I've had much less pain and stiffness. I have experienced issues related to handheld though, which is much harder on the body in my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

No, but I could do with a good foot rub.

On set... try a nice fat header cable to a HMI 10K or larger

At home or off set... tennis balls are also good and if you really want to dig in... golf balls

 

I was thinking more along the lines of a foot rub from an on the set hottie...but will also give the balls a try.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, but I could do with a good foot rub.

On set... try a nice fat header cable to a HMI 10K or larger

At home or off set... tennis balls are also good and if you really want to dig in... golf balls

 

I was thinking more along the lines of a foot rub from an on the set hottie...but will also give the balls a try.

 

That would be my kind of PA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I used to have some back problems related to a snowboarding accident that happened years ago, but since I started steadicam 11 years ago I've had much less pain and stiffness. I have experienced issues related to handheld though, which is much harder on the body in my opinion.

 

Especially handheld with an improperly balanced rig!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I used to have some back problems related to a snowboarding accident that happened years ago, but since I started steadicam 11 years ago I've had much less pain and stiffness. I have experienced issues related to handheld though, which is much harder on the body in my opinion.

 

Especially handheld with an improperly balanced rig!

 

 

Yikes. A couple more glasses of wine and then we're going to have a lesson in camera operation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I used to have some back problems related to a snowboarding accident that happened years ago, but since I started steadicam 11 years ago I've had much less pain and stiffness. I have experienced issues related to handheld though, which is much harder on the body in my opinion.

 

Especially handheld with an improperly balanced rig!

 

 

Yikes. A couple more glasses of wine and then we're going to have a lesson in camera operation.

 

LOL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...