Pedal width giving sore back

[jimmiehendricks]

After changing my drum setup recently I had no choice but to move my hi-hats further left than I'd like. Although it is still fully reachable and not nearly as far away as some of my friends put theirs I played it and started to get used to it. But after 2 hours of solid playing, I got off my stool and my lower back just felt some tightness. I'm wondering is this normal and how long will it take to go away?

[Boomka]

It may go away, but that might just be your body acclimating to the pain. Our brains tend to block out persistent low-level pains and festering muscle tension and fatigue can become normalised so that we don't even notice the damage we're doing. More likely, however, the pain will continue and the underlying problem may perhaps start to cause long-term problems with your spine and other muscles in your back, as I have experienced. My own problems were the results of sports injuries, but I've aggravated them through drumming and become very conscious of developing posture/ergonomics because of it.

Your new position is forcing your back muscles to be used in ways they weren't before. Over time, they MAY strengthen enough to do the job and the pain may decrease. BUT, remember that your lower back muscles are not designed to hold the entire weight of your torso by themselves for prolonged periods. A combination of those erector muscles and surrounding muscles (abs, glutes, etc.) are needed to properly stabilise your torso in an upright position and allow the relatively free movement of your feet on the pedals.

There are exercises you can do to help strengthen your core muscles, and these may help somewhat. Talk to a qualified doctor, osteopath, Pilates expert, or fitness instructor for ideas. In addition to giving your some exercises, most of them will tell you what I'm going to tell you now:

Make your set-up work for you, NOT the other way around. Develop a set-up that allows you to use your body in the way it was built and without discomfort and pain. Develop and utilize techniques which allow you to keep your back safe from harm.

Check your foot placement, your stool height and try to be aware of your lower back taking the weight of your torso when your playing the pedals. You can aim a mirror at your midsection while you play to watch how your lower back is being used if you wish. Make sure you aren't leaning backward or to the left or right - even a little and for brief moments can be bad - as you play. You weight needs to stay centered in your mid-section and your spine needs to remain as erect as possible.

You do have choices. Make smart ones and protect your spine. It's only the second most important part of your nervous system beside your brain, after all. Your body may recover well now, but as time goes on the accumulative effects of treating your back shabbily WILL come back to haunt you.

[branflakes992]

Also try getting an extremely supportive and comfortable seat,like a roc n soc. Or get a back support attachment.