Not drumming for a while

DrumDemon

Member
So I've got a problem I am getting checked out by a doctor as soon as i can.

My left shoulder seems to be the issue. I have pain starting at my pec muscle, going above my shoulder and down to my shoulder blade.

I had a show this past saturday. I played through the pain, but it was not easy.

The worse part is one of my guitarists kept wanting to do one more song.
Finally I said, "if we're doing one more, than that's it. i am walking off the stage after this song."

After the show, I had to tell the band that i am taking a leave until i get this injury checked out.
 
If at all possible, you should never "play through" internal pain like that. Your body is trying to tell you it needs a rest from whatever activity hurts to perform.
 
If at all possible, you should never "play through" internal pain like that. Your body is trying to tell you it needs a rest from whatever activity hurts to perform.

understandable, but ive always been stubborn. and this pain hasn't been a huge problem until just before the show. so i was not about to cancel last minute.
 
I used to get pain in my hands so bad I had to stop playing. I went to see a hand specialist, and I think he said it was just a normal pain from playing, and that there wasn't much I could do about it. I started to massage my hand, and stretch before playing and eventually the pain went away. I don't know if you do or not, but you should definitely be stretching and warming up before playing. Also maybe take a look at your technique, try and see if there is anything you are doing that may be the cause of the pain. As far as not playing for a while, how long are you considering? The longest I've ever taken a complete break from drums is maybe two weeks. I even played with one arm for a while when I broke my elbow.
 
I used to get pain in my hands so bad I had to stop playing. I went to see a hand specialist, and I think he said it was just a normal pain from playing, and that there wasn't much I could do about it. I started to massage my hand, and stretch before playing and eventually the pain went away. I don't know if you do or not, but you should definitely be stretching and warming up before playing. Also maybe take a look at your technique, try and see if there is anything you are doing that may be the cause of the pain. As far as not playing for a while, how long are you considering? The longest I've ever taken a complete break from drums is maybe two weeks. I even played with one arm for a while when I broke my elbow.

i have a warm up routine i always do before i really start playing. basic eighth note excerises on the snare and kick drum as well as stretching. i come from a marching background and they were huge on warming up and stretching before we really started to play anything moderatly difficult. that mind set has stuck with me.
and i highly doubt it is technique. i play both match and traditional and i've spent a great deal of time perfecting my technique as much as possible based on things ive learned in the past, as well as things ive learned recently through other drummers around the area or through instructional videos.
i don't know exactly how long i won't be playing for. i know at first, it won't be until i find out what the problem is. i am hoping its just something i pulled rather than a tear or something.
 
That is the wisest move you have done...a playing break to be checked by the doctor. Take care!

After the show, I had to tell the band that i am taking a leave until i get this injury checked out.
 
That is the wisest move you have done...a playing break to be checked by the doctor. Take care!

agreed.
ive been drumming for close to 17 years, and i want to add another 17 to that at least.
i gotta make sure i am physically able to do so. definatly one of my smarter choices. haha
 
I don't believe there is any such thing as "normal" pain from playing drums. Sounds like poor advice to me.

I meant normal as in I had not been playing for very long at the time and I guess my hands and arms were not used to the movements involved in drumming, and I was using different muscles than I had before. I can't remember exactly what the diagnosis was because it was a long time ago, but my point was that I had enough pain to stop me from playing and I didn't tear or sprain anything. Also the doctor is pretty well known, I forget his name, but he's the team doctor for all our sports teams in AZ.
 
Not to exactly the same extreme, but this reminds me of when Buddy Rich played through a heart attack.

Your health is number 1. Everything else comes second.

Dennis
 
Check your posture and your setup mate (as well as asking another doctor for some sensible advice!).

I see you're in the US? In the UK, our "Rhythm" magazine is running a series of articles on drumming injuries, posture and prevention. Well worth looking up.

Best of luck and a quick heal!
 
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