Musicians and Neck Surgery
Perry Farrell, lead singer of the iconic alt-rock band Jane’s Addiction, underwent surgery in 2020 for a cervical spine disc issue caused by years of head banging while on stage. The surgery, was a success and Farrell has since made what appears to be a full recovery
Can Head Banging Cause Neck Damage?
Yes. Of course it can. Head banging is like a series of mini whiplashes over the course of an entire concert. Muscle, ligament, and tendon sprain-strain injuries are most likely. In more longterm severe cases, herniated discs may manifest. It is important to think of consequences before engaging in an activity that could lead to long-term health issues and even surgical mishap disability, even death.
“Consider Potential Consequences.” ~Dr. Lou
If you don’t know the consequences or mechanisms leading to consequences, that’s what people like “Dr. Lou” are for. A large part of my consulting with musicians online is trying to avoid, or modify behaviors that could lead to unwanted long-term health issues and risk factors.
Farrell had been dealing with spinal issues for some time, and the surgery was deemed necessary to alleviate the pain and discomfort he had been experiencing in his neck. The specific details of the surgery have not been made public, but it is believed to have involved the removal of a herniated disc in his neck. It has also been reported that doctors temporarily removed his voice box during the surgery, which probably wasn’t something he feared while on stage as a young artist. Although the surgery went well, his need for neck surgery may have led to the loss of his iconic voice. This is something he probably never thought he’d have to contend with.
This is not the first time Farrell has had to deal with health issues related to his spine. In the past, he has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord. He has also had to deal with scoliosis, and a number of other symptoms stemming from his dysfunctional spine and nervous system
Despite these challenges, Farrell continues to tour with Jane’s Addiction. There is no public record of his use of chiropractic care and other alternatives to the surgical route. Herniations of discs of the neck can be very disabling, and I suspect Mr. Farrell tried all he could before going under the knife.
The moral of the story is that you should care for your spine. Maintenance and what is sometimes called spinal hygiene should be taken seriously if you want to try to avoid spinal surgery at the age of 61 like Perry Farrell.
Farrell has been dealing with spinal issues for some time, and the surgery was deemed necessary to alleviate the pain and discomfort he had been experiencing in his neck. The specific details of the surgery have not been made public, but it is believed to have involved the removal of a herniated disc in his neck. It has also been reported that doctors temporarily removed his voice box during the surgery, which probably wasn’t something he feared while on stage as a young artist. Although the surgery went well, his need for neck surgery could have ultimately led to the loss of his iconic voice. This is something he probably never thought he’d have to contend with, but it begs the question: “How are my actions today going to impact my future self”?
This was not the first time Farrell has had to deal with health issues related to his spine. In the past, he has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord. He has also had to deal with scoliosis, and a number of other symptoms stemming from his dysfunctional spine and nervous system.
Despite his spinal challenges, Farrell continues to tour with Jane’s Addiction. As you have read here before, spinal issues plague musicians, and have a history of leading to pain killers that then lead to addiction and overdose. There is no public record of his use of chiropractic care or other alternatives to the surgical route. Herniations of discs of the neck can be very disabling, and I suspect Mr. Farrell tried all he could before going under the knife. Few things in medicine are as risky as surgery.
The moral of the story is that you should care for your spine. Maintenance and what is sometimes called “spinal hygiene” should be taken seriously if you want to try to avoid spinal surgery at the age of 61 like Perry Farrell. Much like a lifetime of dental care maintains your teeth, a lifetime of spinal care, maintains your spine and reduces the likelihood of surgery, or disabling pain and dysfunction.
Dr. Lou Jacobs is a chiropractor in Portland, Maine who has been working with musicians and their health, their disabilities, and their injuries for over 20 years. He is available to musicians worldwide (in English) for online health coaching and navigation of injuries, injury prevention, and performance optimization and longevity.