Most common injuries in drummers. PRMD’s in drummers and percussionists.
Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (PRMD’s) Drummers and Percussionists PRMD’s are common in all musicians who play long enough, hard enough, and frequent enough to qualify them as a “musical athlete.” Like other repetitive stress injuries that occur in golfers, tennis players, runners, and swimmers, musicians accumulate stress over time with repetition and at some point, their body can’t take it anymore. In 2019, Nirvana drummer and frontman for The Foo Fighters missed two shows due to arm surgery. “Speaking to Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino at Los Angeles’ Pollstar Live conference, he said: “This is something I’ve had to deal with for a long time and it’s not the end of the world, but I did have to have surgery on my arm because I need it to pay the rent,” he said. “I knew I had to fix my arm at some point and I went ahead and did it.” (Source: APNEWS) For somewhat obvious reasons, drummers and percussionists tend to have more than their fair share of PRMD’s. A study published in September 2020 in the journal Medical Problems of Performing Artists, the drummers studied (polled) were those percussionists who sit at a drum set....
read moreArm, Neck, and Shoulder pain in Musicians. Musician injuries.
AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND COMPLAINTS OF THE ARMS, NECK, AND SHOULDERS (CANS) A study published in 2017 evaluated amateur musicians and complaints of the arms, neck, and shoulders (CANS). The only relevant observations were in amateur musicians who played with an “elevated arm,” which was most often the left arm. When compared to a neutral left arm position, those with an elevated left arm, had more complaints in the arm, neck and shoulders. The amount of time playing appeared to be much less relevant than the left arm position in causing musician injuries. Who may be affected? Amateur musicians playing string instruments like violin, viola, upright bass, guitar, and bass would be most obvious. Horn players with elevated arms may also be affected. The repetitive motion of string instruments, combined with moving up and down the neck of the instrument, poses real challenges for any serious musician. Playing Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (PRMD’s) are very common and the bulk of the Musician Health Specialists’ work. 3 Steps to better shoulder biomechanics while playing: Be strong. Strengthening your shoulders and upper back will help you avoid injuries. Warm-up. Stretching your arms, neck and shoulders like you are stretching for a sporting event,...
read moreManaging Stress – FALL 2020! Steps for success!
Managing stress – Fall 2020 Most of us have never lived through a time like this. Fall 2020 stands to be one of the most stressful autumn seasons in 19 years. Between elections, COVID-19, social isolation, cold weather, dark skies and the threat of snow, power outages, homeschooling, food insecurity, and working from home, the outlook for the rest of 2020 is creating a lot of anxiety. Depression is affecting many, as are feelings of helplessness and loneliness. One way to manage stress potential is by planning what you can, and not worrying about things you can’t control. Below are some things you can control, that will keep you safer if COVID-19 gets a whole lot worse. Take Vitamin D. According to Michael Hollick, MD, Ph.D. of Boston University, Vitamin D can decrease your risk of contracting COVID-19 by 54%. Take Formula 303. Formula 303 is a valerian root, passionflower, and magnesium supplement that reduces stress, reduces muscle tension, and improves sleep. Get more Sleep. Too little sleep will leave you tired, irritable, and more vulnerable to stress and illness. Exercise. Exercise reduces stress and strengthens you for a bad season of “bugs.” Exercise also helps sleep and reduces weight, a...
read moreSpeed Hump Injuries Ruin All The Fun!
Speed Hump Risks Don’t Get injured by a speed hump. (Warning: Mature Content) It is what you think it is. Excited, sometimes careless, sometimes aggressive physical activity can lead to inconvenient injuries. The Brief Story of Mrs. M In 2002 upon graduation, I worked at a clinic in Kansas City, Missouri. One of my first patients had, you guessed it, an intimacy injury. After she described the “mechanism” of injury, helping her recover was easier. Don’t be embarrassed. (Mrs. M wasn’t) They happen more often than you might think. While they may be embarrassing to consider discussing with your doctor, the intimate details are less important than the big picture. You don’t need to give us a play by play recap. Not seeking help though, for fear of the “discussion,” is unnecessary and a bad decision. Doctors of all kinds have heard it all before. Since 2002 and Mrs. M’s story and moderately clear description of what occurred to cause her low back injury, I have heard about every sexual position being part of the “crime” that caused the pain. Believe it or not, we deal with these discussions regularly. Pain While low back and hip pain are most...
read moreViolin and Viola – The orchestra’s riskiest instruments
Violin and Viola Players – Highest risk for Pain! String players have the highest risk for Performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD’s). Rates frequently reach as high as 88%. PRMD’s include issues like neck pain, shoulder pain, shoulder impingement, carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, and back pain. Symmetry Musicians who play instruments that reinforce asymmetrical postures and movements, like violin and viola, are more susceptible to injury. High volume repetitive stress, often accompanied by extreme mental focus and stress, contribute to string players’ vulnerability. A literature review spanning 16 years and published in the journal Medical Problems of Performing Artists Published in 2018 strongly supports this premise. Reducing Risk in Violin and Viola Players. As frustrating and annoying as preventive measures and cool down sessions may be for musicians, like athletes, they must attempt to reduce the risk of career dampening injuries. Below are a few steps to help prevent injury that require no help. These should not be skipped: Warm-up. A gentle warming up of your body and instrument should preclude serious practice or performance. Take breaks. Pause between songs or sets to shake your body out and interrupt the repetitive, asymmetrical strain on your body. Stretching and mobility exercises...
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