--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "Vernon Graner" <vern@t...> wrote: > Ok, So I haven't played in ...hmmm lets say about 2 months? And now, > since it's been taken off the market, I'm no longer taking Viox. > > So I sit down to play for about 20 minutes and wow! Now I'm in *real& > pain!! :( > > My doc has moved me to "celebrex" but it doesnt seem to work well... If > any of you "more experienced" drummers have any advice, I'd love to hear > it... Hey Vern, Where's the pain--wrist, fingers, elbows? Do you have it when you aren't drumming? Joint pain seems to be an occupational hazard with drummmers. Everyone from Billy Cobham to Max Weinberg ices down after playing. I suppose that if you've been using Viox and Celebrex, then full-fledged osteo-arthritis is your problem. People have suggested that proper technique and posture, depending on the source of the trouble, can minimize discomfort. If the wrists and hands are involved, squeezing a flexible rubber ball can sometimes help, though I've heard others say that it can be counterproductive; learning not to grip the sticks as tightly is another method. Cumulative stress can be alleviated by leading, at least some of the time, with the off hand; in other words, righties would benefit from becoming lefties and vice versa. Again, if the hands are involved, drumming gloves may be in order. Wrist and elbow wraps can also bring temporary relief. Alternatives to traditonal medication are glucosamine sulfate (the ever-popular shark cartilege) and MSM, both of which I used for years, without enough success to recommend them wholeheartedly (my trouble is mainly in my feet and knees and only sporadically in my fingers, wrists, and elbows). There are other counterculture remedies. Sports doctors might be able to offer nonmedicinal techniques. I must admit, however, that when things get rough, I go right to the naproxin until the pain subsides--the earlier I catch it the better. Ed
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Re: Drum Drugs? :)
2004-11-12 by emf