Pain in my wrist

[Jonesy]

Lately I've been noticing that when I practice on a pad for any longer than 5-10 minutes, my left wrist starts to hurt. The pain is on the top of the wrist, not the bottom, so it doesn't seem like carpal tunnel syndrome. It seems to have a lot to do with how hard/fast I'm playing, as that decreases the time that it takes for the pain to start. Even weirder is that I don't experience any pain when I play on my kit, no matter how long.

Anyone have any idea what this could be a result of and what I could do to prevent it?

[zafrothunder]

Lately I've been noticing that when I practice on a pad for any longer than 5-10 minutes, my left wrist starts to hurt. The pain is on the top of the wrist, not the bottom, so it doesn't seem like carpal tunnel syndrome. It seems to have a lot to do with how hard/fast I'm playing, as that decreases the time that it takes for the pain to start. Even weirder is that I don't experience any pain when I play on my kit, no matter how long.

Anyone have any idea what this could be a result of and what I could do to prevent it?

dont use a practice pad lol

[Jonesy]

dont use a practice pad lol

It's not very often that I wish I was an admin on this site...

[ace76543]

dont use a practice pad lol

that was a stupid answer. Jones, get a wrist brace and lay off the drums for a few weeks. It's tendonitis. It probably only hurts when you use a pad because of the way you hit it. Trust me, if you don't get it in check, it'll start hurting when you play on the kit, then it will start hurting all the time.

[zafrothunder]

It's not very often that I wish I was an admin on this site...

lol sorry

you might want to see some kind of doctor or something, because im thinking its a bit more serious than it seems right now

[Jonesy]

that was a stupid answer. Jones, get a wrist brace and lay off the drums for a few weeks. It's tendonitis. It probably only hurts when you use a pad because of the way you hit it. Trust me, if you don't get it in check, it'll start hurting when you play on the kit, then it will start hurting all the time.

Damn... that's not what I hoping to hear. So, will I have to wear a wrist brace for good now, or is there a way to curb this before it gets too bad?

[ace76543]

Damn... that's not what I hoping to hear. So, will I have to wear a wrist brace for good now, or is there a way to curb this before it gets too bad?

Wear a wrist brace til it gets better, and then a week or two after. All tendonitis is is tendon inflammation. Small tears occur in the tendon, causing it to hurt. You just have to wait til those tears heal. It's not a permanent thing

[zambizzi]

Going on 1.5 yrs of tendonitis myself...though it's nearly gone now. It started the same way...some pain on the top of my wrist and forearm while doing rudiments on the pad. I "played through" the pain instead of using my brain and just taking a rest. It became pretty severe and for about 8 mo. it was miserable.

I've since worked very hard on my technique and am nearly fully recovered.

Don't do ice and anti-inflammatories to cover up the problem, fix the problem. Work on your hand technique and learn to relax as much as possible. Rest NOW so that you can play later. Take a few weeks off and then really work on technique when you get back.

[ace76543]

I went to the doctor for mine and he said ice and a wrist brace, so I'm going to recommend ice and anti inflammitories, but not to cover the problem, like zambizzi said, but to help it

[ace76543]

You'd have to post a video of your technique to be sure. There are too many ways to mentions that could go wrong

[Jonesy]

Going on 1.5 yrs of tendonitis myself...though it's nearly gone now. It started the same way...some pain on the top of my wrist and forearm while doing rudiments on the pad. I "played through" the pain instead of using my brain and just taking a rest. It became pretty severe and for about 8 mo. it was miserable.

I've since worked very hard on my technique and am nearly fully recovered.

Don't do ice and anti-inflammatories to cover up the problem, fix the problem. Work on your hand technique and learn to relax as much as possible. Rest NOW so that you can play later. Take a few weeks off and then really work on technique when you get back.

It wouldn't make any sense to ignore your advice, so I'm just gonna have to take a break. One question though: what part(s) of my technique is likely to be the issue? I may not be be able to get a teacher anytime soon, so I'd like to know, especially if it's possible to correct it myself.

And thanks, that response was helpful.

[Jonesy]

You'd have to post a video of your technique to be sure. There are too many ways to mentions that could go wrong

Roger that, I'll try to do that tomorrow.

[Skulmoski]

Now its time to listen to your body and rest your wrists. However, your feet are probably healthy so now would be a good time to get "Bass Drum Control" by Colin Bailey. Someone called it "Stick Control" for your feet.

Hey, make lemonade out of the lemons handed to you!

GJS

[Jonesy]

Now its time to listen to your body and rest your wrists. However, your feet are probably healthy so now would be a good time to get "Bass Drum Control" by Colin Bailey. Someone called it "Stick Control" for your feet.

Hey, make lemonade out of the lemons handed to you!

GJS

genius, man! definitely an opportunity to work on my forgotten feet.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

And if you can, learn the free stroke from someone who knows. Your problem is your technique, and those of us who have learned hand technique from the masters don't have these issues. It is really worth it, beleive me!
Casper

[zambizzi]

Casper is right - start w/ the free stroke. Learn to get out of the way of the rebound of the stick instead of absorbing the shock. I work on my free-stroke every day for 10 minutes. At this point I can whack a drum as hard as I want w/o so much as feeling it in my hands. You'll learn to be powerful but in a way that plays off of the drum head and not into it.

I had an excellent teacher at the time but I ignored the best advice he gave me, starting on day one - which was "learn to relax". Breathe when you play and make sure you're not holding tension *anywhere* in your body (especially your grip). This is a trip because it sounds simple...but so far, it's the biggest drumming challenge I've come up against.

I'm rambling...but really at this point you've got pain - so it's time to get technical! It's a good thing really, because now you'll have no choice but to develop good technique if you want to keep drumming. ;)

Oh...and get Jojo's "Secret Weapons" DVD.

Feel better soon!

[Jonesy]

Thanks Casper and Zambizzi, your responses have helped clear a LOT of this up for me. At least now I know my problem and how it can be fixed.

[zephead19]

Also, make sure you do stretches before you start to play

[Jonesy]

Also, make sure you do stretches before you start to play

It seems like I've seen more about the negative effects of stretching than the positive effects. I'll definitely look into this though.

[zambizzi]

It seems like I've seen more about the negative effects of stretching than the positive effects. I'll definitely look into this though.

IMO - it can cause more damage than it can help. I recovered much faster when I quit stretching...even very lightly. Warming up before playing is critical though.

[Jonesy]

IMO - it can cause more damage than it can help. I recovered much faster when I quit stretching...even very lightly. Warming up before playing is critical though.

Warming up is something I've never done... It just never occurred to me. I'll definitely be warming up every time before I play from now on.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Thanks Casper and Zambizzi, your responses have helped clear a LOT of this up for me. At least now I know my problem and how it can be fixed.

You are so welcome! I also want to add one more thing. It is fine to test your limits, as long as you are responsible about it. I did a quite serious speed test yesterday, really pushing it with double strokes and, and then I played some jazz comping exercises, 15 minutes of ride at tempo 210. And today, my wrist hurts a little. Now, I know my hands so well at this point that I don't freak out and stop playing for days or weeks and get worried. I know it comes from the ride playing, not my other kit work, or the pad work. In other words, if I lay of off playing taxing ride work the next week or so, while being a little gentler on the rest on my routine, I don't need to make drastic changes. But this is because I have been practicing a lot this past year and I really know my hands.

Cheers,
Casper

[zambizzi]

Casper, can I ask you something? Your post sounded very familiar to how I've become. I test myself all the time no only on speed but endurance. I get sore from time-to-time too, but have no learned to control and not push beyond the limits that I know I have.

When it comes to endurance, I feel I can now play as long as I want and as "hard" as I want (with good technique, of course). I've had 4-7 hr. days of constant playing recently where I actually felt *better* the next day, than some days where I've only played for an hour. I just got done w/ a 3 hr. practice and I feel fantastic. ;) I think it's that meditative "zone" that Kenny Werner talks about.

I don't really experience pain anymore...it's all but gone. What I do get occasionally when I really push my speed limits is a strange "shock" sensation that clearly has something to do with the nerve that travels along the underside of the forearm. If I get that sensation I immediately put the sticks down and rest...and slow down. It's just a quick "jolt" not a steady sensation or any sort of numbness...but it's enough to freak me a little when it happens. I assure you I'm as relaxed as can be when this happens...and using as little energy as possible. I don't see how it can be related to tension when I'm this loose.

You or anyone else ever experience that? Sorry to hijack the thread a little...but it's relevant and I'm curious what others think.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Casper, can I ask you something? Your post sounded very familiar to how I've become. I test myself all the time no only on speed but endurance. I get sore from time-to-time too, but have no learned to control and not push beyond the limits that I know I have.

When it comes to endurance, I feel I can now play as long as I want and as "hard" as I want (with good technique, of course). I've had 4-7 hr. days of constant playing recently where I actually felt *better* the next day, than some days where I've only played for an hour. I just got done w/ a 3 hr. practice and I feel fantastic. ;) I think it's that meditative "zone" that Kenny Werner talks about.

I don't really experience pain anymore...it's all but gone. What I do get occasionally when I really push my speed limits is a strange "shock" sensation that clearly has something to do with the nerve that travels along the underside of the forearm. If I get that sensation I immediately put the sticks down and rest...and slow down. It's just a quick "jolt" not a steady sensation or any sort of numbness...but it's enough to freak me a little when it happens. I assure you I'm as relaxed as can be when this happens...and using as little energy as possible. I don't see how it can be related to tension when I'm this loose.

You or anyone else ever experience that? Sorry to hijack the thread a little...but it's relevant and I'm curious what others think.

What's great about your post is the real apetite I can feel in you for practicing. The meditative aspect, and just the pure joy of drumming is obvious! Good job!

But your "jolt" sensation doesn't ring a bell. I am constantly vigilant of any "symptoms", and I will let you know if it happens to me. Although I hope not....

Casper

[ace76543]

Bad effects of stretching? Wtf? Stretching is great. CAUTION: DO NOT STRETCH WHEN YOUR WRISTS HURT, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE PAIN. This will further damage them. Otherwise, stretching is a must

[bromasi]

use the RICE tech. REST, ICE COMPRESSION,ELEAVATION, good luck

[ace76543]

elevation? elevation slows blood flow, that's the last thing you want with an injured wrist

[zambizzi]

What's great about your post is the real apetite I can feel in you for practicing. The meditative aspect, and just the pure joy of drumming is obvious! Good job!

But your "jolt" sensation doesn't ring a bell. I am constantly vigilant of any "symptoms", and I will let you know if it happens to me. Although I hope not....

Casper

Thanks! It's a deep love. ;)

The nerve jolt thing really only happens during long periods with my right hand playing the hi-hats. I've got them in the most comfortable spot possible (for both foot and arms). I never have this problem when I keep my right hand on the ride...even for very long periods, say 15+ minutes straight.

I've thought about getting a remote hi-hat setup but I'm a stubborn minimalist.

[comic amusement]

Casper, can I ask you something? Your post sounded very familiar to how I've become. I test myself all the time no only on speed but endurance. I get sore from time-to-time too, but have no learned to control and not push beyond the limits that I know I have.

When it comes to endurance, I feel I can now play as long as I want and as "hard" as I want (with good technique, of course). I've had 4-7 hr. days of constant playing recently where I actually felt *better* the next day, than some days where I've only played for an hour. I just got done w/ a 3 hr. practice and I feel fantastic. ;) I think it's that meditative "zone" that Kenny Werner talks about.

I don't really experience pain anymore...it's all but gone. What I do get occasionally when I really push my speed limits is a strange "shock" sensation that clearly has something to do with the nerve that travels along the underside of the forearm. If I get that sensation I immediately put the sticks down and rest...and slow down. It's just a quick "jolt" not a steady sensation or any sort of numbness...but it's enough to freak me a little when it happens. I assure you I'm as relaxed as can be when this happens...and using as little energy as possible. I don't see how it can be related to tension when I'm this loose.

You or anyone else ever experience that? Sorry to hijack the thread a little...but it's relevant and I'm curious what others think.

like your funny bone?
check to see if the tendon is still on the bone on your elbow, the one that sticks out towards you, if it feels like nothing but bone, the tendon has slipped off, in both my arms the tendon slipped off (the medial epicondyle), but its not a problem because my hards arent very fast.
this is wierd but now my elbos hurt :/

and when you feel for it, make sure your arm is straight, not folded up.

OR

if its the whole underside, it most likely is a tendon problem, like a kink in a hose, the tendons are similar (this is a bad meataphore) but when it "shocks" a tendon is brobably being "un-kinked" or having to slide like it shoulnt be.

go to a doctor, but not one of those clinics, they dont really care, go to a general practicioner, because if they dont know, they will find you a specialist who does. when i went to a clinic, i paid $300 for a guy to look at my arm for 5 minutes, all the while not telling me anything about what could be causing the problem, and when i asked him, he dodged the question. he didnt know. and then he told me to buy a $12 elbow brace from rite aid.

now my elbows are hurting.



general practioners actually care and want to help you.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

I've thought about getting a remote hi-hat setup but I'm a stubborn minimalist.

Yeah, I get great ideas for add ons all the time. But one the next gig, as I am carrying my gear, I remember why I am aminimalist....

But if you got it crafted in aluminum, it might not be so heavy....maybe Axis is working on that?

Casper

[zambizzi]

general practioners actually care and want to help you.

Sure they do...but often they like to treat symptoms rather than address the cause. I'm not anti-doctor, don't get me wrong...I just think it's important to use common sense as well.

When I went to the doc for tendonitis, they told me to load up on anti-inflammatory meds and ice my arms...and to quit drumming for a while. Well, that wasn't an option...so the combination of taking ibuprofen all day and icing my arms when they swelled up from playing, made the problem far worse.

It occurred to me that blood is what heals and inflammation is how the body rushes to repair damage. Why then, was I working so hard against my body?

Then I got to physical therapy and the PT told me he was going to use a method that *causes* inflammation and that I should not only drum as much as possible...but start working out again. HA!

This doctor and therapist worked in the same office, BTW.

Anyhow, I think I nailed down the cause of the "jolt" issue. I adjusted my hands while playing the hats so that my right hand is out further to the right, instead of directly over my left hand (which is the most relaxed position). With the added wiggle room, I'm less stressed while playing and that jolt sensation is completely gone.

Weird, eh?