kyushujet Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Wondered if anyone else has back problems that they think may have come from marching the big instruments in drum corps? I marched 5 of 6 bass drum my rookie year, 4 of 5 my sophomore year, and 4 of 4 my age out year. This was about 25 years ago. I now have lower back aches when I wake up in the mornings. I've tried stretching, massage, chiro, and even getting a new mattress (Sleep Number). But I still have the occasional bout with back pain. I know that some retired NFL players can barely get out of bed in the mornings. Just wondering if I'm suffering alone, or have it completely wrong about where my back pain may have originated. Thanks for the responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dir_en_X Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 I marched two years, and due to that and a bad family history, I have had a lot of knee pains. Finals week I was in two braces and taking 4-800 mg of Advil daily. As far as my back, I haven't had any problems to really speak of. Marching a tuba just made everything hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 i used to think it was due to carrying basses of several sizes, but since losing 50 pounds in the last 18 or so months, i'm attributing to weight gain since the aches and pains are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearlsnaredrummer77 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 (edited) You are not alone! As I type this post right now my left foot is numb from back injury and nerve damage. Mainly in my marching career I played tenors (one year on snare). I played quints (started on HUGE timp-toms) at the weight of about 115lbs (6'0 tall back then). 2 years of HS band playing the afore mentioned (and super heavy) 'timp-toms', about 6 years of drum corps and four of college band. Now I have severe back problems. My marching career is essentially over-I put on a snare drum for about two minutes and it's mind boggling pain. It even hurts just to watch shows (HS stadium stands are horrendous!) If I walk too much, or stand still in once place, I am in danger of setting the nerves off. I can't sleep on my left side because it seems to cause trouble and is painful. The arthritis pain is bad, but the nerve pain is unbearable. The doctor said that I have herniated or ruptured discs and arthritis in the spine, plus scoliosis (if I remembr the terminology). I went to a specialist who sent me to therapy (made it worse!) and then to a pain specialist (made it possible to walk). I have had cortisone shots numerous times and recently nerve ablation where they burn the nerves. The nerve pain is now better, but there was accidental damage to other nerves, so it feels like my left side has burned skin. Nice. It's going away slowly . Later this month I'm going to a neruosurgeon. I am afraid of becoming hooked on percocet, so I'm at the point where I want surgery, even though back surgery is allegedly no so consistent in results yielded. So for some of us, back pain is part of our drum corps legacy. That's why in the percussion threads, I always endorse drum lines using stands as much as possible and lighter instruments. Edited November 9, 2010 by pearlsnaredrummer77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyushujet Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 i used to think it was due to carrying basses of several sizes, but since losing 50 pounds in the last 18 or so months, i'm attributing to weight gain since the aches and pains are gone. Well, I'm around 205 lbs and 6'1". But I guess that could be considered overweight. I could stand to lose a few pounds and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyushujet Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 You are not alone! As I type this post right now my left foot is numb from back injury and nerve damage. Mainly in my marching career I played tenors (one year on snare). I played quints (started on HUGE timp-toms) at the weight of about 115lbs (6'0 tall back then). 2 years of HS band playing the afore mentioned (and super heavy) 'timp-toms', about 6 years of drum corps and four of college band. Now I have severe back problems. My marching career is essentially over-I put on a snare drum for about two minutes and it's mind boggling pain. It even hurts just to watch shows (HS stadium stands are horrendous!) If I walk too much, or stand still in once place, I am in danger of setting the nerves off. I can't sleep on my left side because it seems to cause trouble and is painful. The arthritis pain is bad, but the nerve pain is unbearable. The doctor said that I have herniated or ruptured discs and arthritis in the spine, plus scoliosis (if I remembr the terminology). I went to a specialist who sent me to therapy (made it worse!) and then to a pain specialist (made it possible to walk). I have had cortisone shots numerous times and recently nerve ablation where they burn the nerves. The nerve pain is now better, but there was accidental damage to other nerves, so it feels like my left side has burned skin. Nice. It's going away slowly . Later this month I'm going to a neruosurgeon. I am afraid of becoming hooked on percocet, so I'm at the point where I want surgery, even though back surgery is allegedly no so consistent in results yielded. So for some of us, back pain is part of our drum corps legacy. That's why in the percussion threads, I always endorse drum lines using stands as much as possible and lighter instruments. I'm so sorry to hear your story. I played two years of bass in HS as well. And we used to do 4 parades in one day on July 4ths. Back when I marched, I think Phantom was the only drumline that started using stands. And of course, we used to scoff at them. Nowadays I think most of the drumlines use them. It may not be as tough-looking, but it sure is smarter and easier on the backs. Good luck with the recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPlaydaTuba Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 5 years of contra. Its tough to get up in the morning due to the pain in my neck from the slightest turn of my head. My back pain comes and goes, depending on the day, if Ive stretched, etc... wouldn't trade it for the world :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piper Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 The first thing that comes to my mind are marching tympani. I never actually had to carry one, but man those things were real monsters. Corps started putting lead counterweights on the back of the harnesses to relieve the strain. Ouch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlooContraGuy Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 From time to time, I get some pretty bad back and knee pain. The knee pain usually comes around when it gets colder or humidity levels rise these days. I've had a fair amount of marching experience, and most of my joint pain started in high school with those #### sousaphones on a concrete field. Some days on tour my back just goes numb and tingly while holding the horn. Not too worried about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 i'm 6'3", now around 230. i feel light years better Well, I'm around 205 lbs and 6'1". But I guess that could be considered overweight. I could stand to lose a few pounds and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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