wrist and elbow pain!!!

thomaswomas

Junior Member
hi,

i'm new to this forum so i'd just like to say it looks like a great forum and i'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you all.

the reason i've found this forum is that i've become concerned with the amount of pain i'm experiencing lately in my wrists and right elbow.

i've been drumming for 22 years now (i'm 31) and played in loads of bands. the band i'm currently in are doing really well and have a tour coming up. so we had a rehearsal tonight to run through our set, and i didn't enjoy it at all as i was in pain when playing.

i've been experiencing pain in my wrists for a month or so now, and lately it's started to affect my right elbow. i'm a heavy hitter, and always have been, and my band are mainly rock based.

i do labour work by day to pay the bills, so i'm using my hands regularly, but this hasn't been a problem until recently. i also do a lot of recording on my laptop, so i think this will add to my wrist discomfort.

during tonight's rehearsal i also felt like i had little energy and it was a struggle to play the songs and feel comfortable.

can anyone give me advice on exercises i can do to keep my wrists in shape. i'm considering going to a physiotherapist to try and solve the problem, as i'm very concerned that this could get worse and ultimately stop me from performing, especially on long tours.

thanks in advance
 
yikes! you might have to take some time off.

i was experiencing quite a bit of pain in my right shoulder from drumming, to the point where i thought i'd have to quit. with my teacher's help i managed to work it out though. he taught me to relax my grip and rely on the moeller technique to get power. thank god that worked or i'd be out of business at this point.
 
I think it's safe to summarize what has arguably been written before. It goes something like this:

First, the fact that it has come on suddenly isn't remarkable. The body stresses until it breaks at some point. You don't always notice the stress until it breaks. The older you get, the easier it is to break it. The most common thing that pediatric doctors hear besides "it hurts when I do this" is "this has never been a problem before."

Second, you have some kind of stress related injury. It may be from overdoing one thing (like lifting something heavy). Or it may be from doing the same thing repeatedly in a way that is problematic (poor technique). Both of these can be misunderstood. Most people think that they will feel pain at the time when they over do something and this isn't always the case with tendons. Likewise, people will look back on x number of years of doing something pain free as a sign that they've been doing it right. It doesn't necessarily work that way.

Lastly, you should see a specialist in the area in which you are having a problem. What you describe "sounds" like Tennis Elbow but you really want a specialist to properly diagnose the issue and then go from there. What you certainly don't want to do is take the advice of an internet forum as a diagnosis and then start doing some exercises that might end up being counterproductive.
 
Hey Crew,

OK, I'm gonna post a repeat of the same advice I've posted in other threads--Start taking Glucosamine-- NOW! Yes, I said NOW!!!

I'm 52, been taking it for years, and will testify and serve as witness as to its effectiveness. It's a mineral suppliment, not a drug or anything that needs a prescription.

You can find it in your neighborhood 99 cent stores, and I SWEAR by it-- all it does is make your body (naturally) lubricate your joints.

Toldja so!
C. P.
 
hi,

i'm new to this forum so i'd just like to say it looks like a great forum and i'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you all.

the reason i've found this forum is that i've become concerned with the amount of pain i'm experiencing lately in my wrists and right elbow.

i've been drumming for 22 years now (i'm 31) and played in loads of bands. the band i'm currently in are doing really well and have a tour coming up. so we had a rehearsal tonight to run through our set, and i didn't enjoy it at all as i was in pain when playing.

i've been experiencing pain in my wrists for a month or so now, and lately it's started to affect my right elbow. i'm a heavy hitter, and always have been, and my band are mainly rock based.

i do labour work by day to pay the bills, so i'm using my hands regularly, but this hasn't been a problem until recently. i also do a lot of recording on my laptop, so i think this will add to my wrist discomfort.

during tonight's rehearsal i also felt like i had little energy and it was a struggle to play the songs and feel comfortable.

can anyone give me advice on exercises i can do to keep my wrists in shape. i'm considering going to a physiotherapist to try and solve the problem, as i'm very concerned that this could get worse and ultimately stop me from performing, especially on long tours.

thanks in advance

I recommend you see a doctor. You may also want to visit a teacher later if you feel there is a technical issue.
 
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