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Home Common Drumming Injuries
By Dr.Daniel
Buch, B.S., D.C., Q.M.E. www.drummershealth.com
See also Health Tips for Drummers
There are essentially two main types of injuries which
can happen to drummers; over-use injury and traumatic injuries. If you have a serious
condition or a condition which has failed to improve in two to three weeks, you need to
seek professional health care.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a term which is used to described an
"inflammation" of the tendon and its covering/sheath. Although it is yet to be
proven conclusively that there is indeed inflammation of the tendon, it has come to be
know as an inflammatory condition. The general thinking is this:
When the tendon and its covering are irritated, overloaded or frankly
damaged, the tissues swell up and begin the process of healing. If the swelling constricts
the motion of the tendon through its sheath, pain and loss of motion occur. At the same
time, fluids and tissue cells and debris build up in the area. This can lead to further
irritation.
Go Back to the top Elbow Epicondylitis
The elbow has a bony process on the inside or medial region and on the
outside or lateral region. This region comes under great stress from due to the action of
the tendons and fascia which pass on or near the area. If the area becomes inflamed it may
not fully resolve. In this case a chronic elbow pain can result. Stretching and ice to the
area can help prevent this problem. If the area does become chronically involved seek
treatment from a qualified provider. Treatments of value may include heat, friction
massage, ice, specific stretching and exercises or ultrasound therapy.
Neuritis
Irritation or infection along a nerve can create a condition where the
nerve tissue becomes "excitable". If this occurs, pain and loss or distortion of
sensation, taste, sight, smelling (olfaction) or hearing can occur. In drummers this can
occur in the wrists, fingers, elbow shoulder or neck. Proper symmetrical technique, good
ergonomics and warm up can limit irritation of the peripheral nerves in the arms, hands
and fingers.
Go Back to the top Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Within the wrist pass the nerve, arteries and veins which control and
feed the hand and fingers. There is an anatomical tunnel on the underside (palmar surface)
of the wrist through which the median nerve passes. The median nerve controls motion and
carries sensation to the thumb and 2nd finger. It is important to remember that the nerve
pathway begins at the neck and passes into the arm through the thoracic inlet.
(compression of the neurovacular bundle in the inlet is referred to as thoracic outlet
syndrome) The health of any of the nerves which supply the arms and hands is dependant
upon uncompromised function through the entire length of the nerve. Compromise by subtle
compression due to inflammation or hypertension of the musculature can occur in the neck,
the shoulder the elbow the forearm or the wrist. For this reason, many professionals
prefer to treat the entire nerve pathway if it is found that there may be areas of
compromise.
Proper stretching of the wrist, forearms, fingers, shoulders and neck
can help to lessen the possibility of carpel tunnel like conditions. Such stretches are
also critical in the proper treatment of these conditions.
Go Back to the top Sprains
Sprains refer to the tearing or over stressing of the ligaments of the
body. The classic example is a sprained ankle. In a sprained ankle the ankle rolls over,
forcing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle well beyond their usual range of motion.
If this occurs the ligament tears. The down side to this is that ligament and all soft
tissues of the musculo-skeletal system heal with scar tissue. Scar tissue is less elastic
and more pain sensitive than the tissue it replaced. (Bone on the other hand heals with
bone. That is why we often say it is better to break a bone than sprain a ligament) Use of
ice as soon as possible after a sprain is critical and can cut the healing time by as much
as 50%!
Strains
Strains refer to soft tissue injuries to tissues other than the
ligaments. Muscles, tendons and fascia are examples of soft tissues which strain. In a
muscle a strain is often referred to as a "Pull". As with many soft tissue
injuries, strains can be prevented by proper condition, stretching and nutrition. If you
have sustained a muscle strain, ice the area at once for 7 to 10 minutes until numb. Use
ice over the next 2 days 3 or 4 times per day. Ice helps lessen swelling and blooding and
speeds recovery time. Depending on the extent of the injury you may require professional
evaluation of the condition.
Go Back to the top Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain has been called an epidemic in the United States and
the Western world. There are many, many causes of lower back pain. Many times, the true
source of the pain is never identified. This leaves patients and doctors frustrated. But
there ARE things that can be done to both prevent and treat lower back pain.
1) Maintain the lumbar curvature. Proper positioning is critical. Try
to limit slouching and bending forward.
2) Keep the lower back and abdominal muscles well conditioned.
3) Stretch your gluteals, hamstrings and lower back. If you already
have back pain you may well benefit from professional help in this area.
4) If you feel pain stop what you are doing. Ice the area at once. Rest
only for a day or so, but get moving as soon as possible. Walking a short distance helps
stave off deconditioning and helps ease pain.
5) If your pain fails to improve within a few days OR if you have
significant leg pain or loss of bowel/bladder control you should seek professional health
care at once.
Go Back to the top Neck Pain
The neck is a remarkable series of joints. The offers great range of
motion, which protecting the delicate spinal cord and blood supplies to the brain.
Unfortunately, it seldom receives much attention until it is injuries or sore.
Neck pain is often more easily diagnosed accurately than is lower back
pain. This is due to its superficial anatomical orientation and it less imposing soft
tissue size. Neck injuries can also lead to arm and hand pain, headaches and other severe
conditions. As with all health conditions, it is important to seek care if the pain fails
to go away after you have followed proper rest and ice instructions.
In drummers, neck injuries and pain occur due to over-use from postural
stresses or due to frank spraining or straining of the tissues of the neck.
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