Body Stress?

[sgriggs2006]

Ok, had a hard time figuring out where to put this thread...I want to hear from the sports photographers, so this is where I ultimately decided to put this post.

I have some issues w/ my neck (C-7) and surrounding fascia on my left side of my neck and upper back. I shoot right handed, and never use a neck strap on my camera (D700, f2.8 70-200 lens and a SB-900 flash is the predominant setup). I alway carry my camera in my right hand w/ the grip. When I shoot I use my left hand to steady the camera.

After a friday night football game (haven't used a monopod until this week) I am so stiff and sore on my left side...(feels as if an icepick is jammed in the side of my neck).

My orthopede really sort of dismisses the photography as the problem, but I can't help but wonder if it is because of that one-sided ness on the shooting side of things.

Anyone else battle these type of aches/pains?
cheers,
sue.

[fidgety]

Ok, had a hard time figuring out where to put this thread...I want to hear from the sports photographers, so this is where I ultimately decided to put this post.

I have some issues w/ my neck (C-7) and surrounding fascia on my left side of my neck and upper back. I shoot right handed, and never use a neck strap on my camera (D700, f2.8 70-200 lens and a SB-900 flash is the predominant setup). I alway carry my camera in my right hand w/ the grip. When I shoot I use my left hand to steady the camera.

After a friday night football game (haven't used a monopod until this week) I am so stiff and sore on my left side...(feels as if an icepick is jammed in the side of my neck).

My orthopede really sort of dismisses the photography as the problem, but I can't help but wonder if it is because of that one-sided ness on the shooting side of things.

Anyone else battle these type of aches/pains?
cheers,
sue.

I'm 49 Sue, I have aches and pains every day. Of course, I have no idea how you shoot but one thought is how you stand while you shoot. I see alot of shooters that when they hold the camera up they have a tendency to shift their weight to their right leg. I noticed this as I was having some pain on my left side and realized that I was cramping up on that side since all my weight was on my right side and my left side was scrunched up. Now I make it a point to balance my weight evenly when I stand as well as kneeling at times to get a lower angle. I just make sure I keep changing positions as much as possible so one area of my body is not over taxed.

[DHMN69]

Susan makes my 17 years of rec/city/church basketball league aches and pains (back and both ankles), and 10 years working on the concrete floor of a convenience store (the back again but different) seem like nothing Haven't been lugging a camera around (2+1/2 years or so now) long enough to develop anything worse than those through doing this.

I do notice while shooting football (and soccer), if you're not on level ground ( drainage on our home field causes uneven sideline so I try to shoot on the track a lot) that can take a toll on the body but I've never had anything lingering from it.

[sgriggs2006]

I have tried to be cognizant of my posture and stance for a while now, and I do try to stay blanced....I tend to shoot w/ one foot out in front of me, and one behind, vs. side to side.. but I try to do that so I can brace my lens holding hand (ie left) into my belly for more stability.
I'm switching to the monopod this week for football, so we'll see if it helps any!! Thanks guys!
s.