Neko Case Shines a Light on the Hidden Reality of Guitar Pain: "The Shit HURTS"

Jason Isbell, Superchunk and Roseanne Cash have all joined the discussion about musicians' upper-body pain

BY Sarah MurphyPublished May 17, 2018

Neko Case took to Twitter earlier today to discuss a seemingly common ailment amongst musicians: upper body pain.
 
Specifically seeking out fellow guitarists with similar "arm/shoulder/neck problems," Case pondered why more musicians don't talk about the job-related pain. "Is it a secret cause the shit HURTS?"
 
Well, people are certainly talking about it now.
 
Jason Isbell responded to Case's tweet, trying to place the blame on tour vans rather than guitars. That brought up another example of a music-related injury, with Case revealing that she had to have surgery on a "bad leg vein from driving."
 
Other followers, meanwhile, offered some solutions, linking to a YouTube yoga video specifically tailored to musicians and suggesting modified equipment.
 
Actor Paul Adelstein chimed in, dubbing the affliction "#rockneck" — and Case didn't argue with the name.
 
See some of the other musician and fan response below.
 
Here's hoping Case finds a comfortable solution to some of the pain before embarking on her upcoming North American tour. Her latest record, Hell-On, is due out June 1 via Anti-.

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