Every time I play! Had back surgery back in '03 and now have two rods in my back. The best advise I can give you is to stretch. Drumming is a workout and you need to stretch. Now if I would just take my own advise!
Hello everyone,
Because there are no other drummers in our church of about 500 people (or there are no other drummers that want to put up with our rehearsal schedule), I'm having to "play through the pain" yet again. I've played with a sprained ankle, a wisdom tooth coming in, dry socket, colds/the flu, etc.
This time, it's back pain, but it's lasted longer than any other pain I've ever been in. I've been hurting since mid-October, and I've gone to the chiropractor for 5 sessions. He said my back is ok now; however, the healing process for the muscles could take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to heal (i'm getting my first massage tomorrow to try to "work out" the muscles). I'm getting a little better each day, but I'm having to play through it at church. And it sucks.
Anyone else ever had to "play through the pain?"
Every time I play! Had back surgery back in '03 and now have two rods in my back. The best advise I can give you is to stretch. Drumming is a workout and you need to stretch. Now if I would just take my own advise!
1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
Tama metalworks snare 13x6
DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.
For me it's a Fist Full of Advil and Gett'er Done!
I broke my back, neck, arm, knee, and leg up all at once a few years ago. I was a mess...
I'll second the advil. Just make sure you eat while you're taking it as it's tough on the lining of your stomach.
I had a severe injury a couple of years ago and was in excruciating pain. It was hard to sit or stand. I couldn't play for some time. When I did start playing again, it was challenging to say the least. I had to take prescribed Advil which was very strong.
About a year ago I was experiencing pain. Band members would look at me funny when I took aspirin or acetaminophen in between songs. They knew I was hurting. Eventually I healed and the pain disappeared.
I can say I have and it can't imagine how bad it could be playing with a bad back.
I recently set my kit up (based on a thread in another forum), from a professional drummer and instructor. The tips suggested where all arrived by using the knowledge of several PHD Physical Therapists Physiology, Kinestetics, and Anatomy.
I'm not sure what the linking rules are so I'm not linking to it, but that advice did help me in fluidity & ease when moving around the kit, posture, reducing muscle stress, (and probably more that I'm not conscious of).
Acoustic & Electronic:
Pearl Prestige World Series WLX 1988
Tama Swingstar 1983
Tama Superstar Hyper-Drive (Birch) 2007
Ludwig Acrolite Snare 1976
Ludwig Supraphonic 6.5x14" 2021
Pearl Sensitone Elite Aluminum 5.5" and 6.5" Snare
Pearl COB Custom Deluxe [Gladstone] (75-76) Snare
Love Drum Co. Hammered Steel 5.5" Snare
Roland TD-1KV
Paiste
Accent 8"
Paiste Signature:
6", 10" Splash
14" Dark Crisp Hi-Hats
14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats
16", 17", 18",19", 20" Full Crash
22" Symphonic Med-Heavy (use as a Ride)
Paiste Formula 602:
22" Formula 602 Modern Essentials Ride
Paiste 2oo2:
22" Ride
16" Crash
8",10" Splash
Paiste 2oo2 Big Beat:
15" Hi-Hats
19", 20", 21" Big Beat Multifunctional
Paiste Sound Formula:
16" Crash
20" Full Ride (Frankenstein)
Paiste Twenty:
16" China
Paiste Alpha (original Swiss made):
12" Splash
Paiste PST7:
Medium
16", 18" Crash
20" Ride
14" Hi-Hats
Sabian:
XS20 18" China
AA 14" Fusion Hi-Hats
I have scoliosis... Some days it's unbearable pain.. I know your feeling man..
How about Oxycontin?
all the best...
Sorry for your pain. In Colorado we have cookies and brownies that could help.
Steve
"When I can match Buddy Rich, lick for lick, I will get a rack."
Ludwig Super Classic
Hey, with rest it will get better. Make sure to get any inflammation or swelling down with cold compression. Just let your body do the work by giving it optimal blood flow and avoid reaggravations. I use a blood flow stimulator (BFST) to speed up this process. I have terrible wrists but with they are a lot better lately.
I've played through two sprained knees to where I couldn't get on or off the stage riser. I've gigged with cracked ribs.
I've had to endure a night with a looming kidney stone.
Once I had to play after breaking a stick. That was the worst.
yeah, not much that can't be toughed out.
Signature here
I've played with a bad back since being hit by what was probably part of a tree in '69.
You guys should consider yoga or taichi.
Bookmarks