As drummers, we all know that drumming places tremendous demands on our bodies. When we are young we think we are invincible. At some point in our lives and careers we quickly learn that we are not and must work hard to stay healthy. My last two Single Strokes articles described some of the common … Read more
Low back pain is the most common medical disorder and the most costly of all medical diagnoses in industrialized societies. Low back pain occurs in fifty-seven percent of women and fifty-one percent in men, and increases with age to the age of 60 years-old. The first attack of LBP usually occurs in our thirties with … Read more
Back pain is second only to the common cold as the most common reason for seeing a physician. Low back pain is a very common problem experienced by most individuals with 70 to 80% of the world’s population experiencing low back pain sometime during their lives. Younger individuals in their mid 30’s are at greatest … Read more
Foot pain is a common complaint among athletes, dancers, drummers and in fact, anyone that walks, runs, jumps or repetitively uses their feet. Foot pain can occur from over use of the feet, from traumatic injury, from chronic metabolic disease or from acute inflammatory conditions. Regardless of the cause, foot pain can be extremely painful … Read more
Repetitively gripping drum sticks or striking a drum with our hands can lead to a number of injuries to the fingers, joints, tendons and muscles within the hand which can eventually lead to arthritis. Drummers and hand percussionists can develop pain in the palm of their hands or within the small joints of the fingers, … Read more
As we all know, drumming can take its toll on hands, especially if you are a hand percussionists. Over the past few months I have had an increasing number of drummers consulting me for an evaluation of their hands and fingers due to pain. Repetitive gripping or striking a drum with our hands can lead … Read more
Becoming an accomplished drummer requires hours of demanding practice, performing the same repetitive activity over and over again. This allows us to develop the necessary muscle memory to perform this very demanding and dynamic activity. To be a competent drummer, requires a tremendous amount of muscle conditioning, endurance, strength and coordination. Traumatic injuries sustained by … Read more
Last month I wrote about the many effects of vibration on the body and on the arms and hands. Drummers are particularly susceptible to vibration and it’s effects in a number of places, through there feet, seat and through there hands and wrists. The effects of vibration exposure in the hands and wrists are well … Read more
Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to care for a number of legendary drummers with shoulder pain. The causes of shoulder pain in drummers can vary. The most common causes however are due to repetitive overhead activity such as reaching for a high crash cymbal or reaching behind the shoulder to … Read more
Drumming is a very demanding and dynamic activity requiring a tremendous amount of muscle conditioning, endurance, strength and coordination. To become a great drummer we must practice long hours, performing the same repetitive activity over and over again to develop the necessary muscle memory to perform night after night. While the rate of traumatic injuries … Read more
