Hand Injury

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[LunarStandstill]

Dice,
Yes, thank you very much for the suggestion. I'm a Master Herbalist but have not used homeopathic to any extent, but did soak in boneset after icing down the first night of injury. I'll look into this. Thank you for your reply.
Debra

[thomas newton]

A master herbalist asking for basic first aid advice on a drum forum?

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[LunarStandstill]

A master herbalist asking for basic first aid advice on a drum forum?

Do I not have the right to ask questions on basic first aid for a drumming injury....or does my herbalist status preclude me from seeking experienced answers?

If you don't have anything substantial to add, you could just keep your comments to yourself. If you have something to recommend, I welcome your input.

Not feeling your humor,
Debra

[thomas newton]

...does my herbalist status preclude me from seeking experienced answers?

You presumably know herbal remedies for bruising but haven't used them. Ok.
Instead you come to unqualified people on the internet for basic medical advice.

It's worth a facepalm.jpg believe me.

[SpEd]

Great points added by Cadenza.

A great question by Lunar, but interesting at best as far as the detracting comments after.
I don't find it strange to ask drummers for advice on drumming injuries...no matter who you are.

BTW... +10 on Arnica for any type of bruising... happy healing & safer drumming Lunar!

[OLSONGO]

Mr Thomas Newton..what makes you think that we as conga players shouldn't give advice on how to handle an injury ?
Many of us have been down that road before, either playing congas or in some sort of sports activity. And usually that sort of information is passed on down to us by a specialist on the subject , also there are many books and info here on the web that we have read and are happy to pass on down to those in need.

Peace
Olsongo

[thomas newton]

Mr Thomas Newton..what makes you think that we as conga players shouldn't give advice on how to handle an injury ?
Many of us have been down that road before, either playing congas or in some sort of sports activity. And usually that sort of information is passed on down to us by a specialist on the subject , also there are many books and info here on the web that we have read and are happy to pass on down to those in need.

Peace
Olsongo

I've said enough on this - you either get my point or you don't.

Peace to you also.

[LunarStandstill]

+1 on leedy's first comment regarding your hand placement. Prevention of injury is by far the most important primary strategy.
+2 on ice and rest as the first course of action
+3 on the other comment about getting an xray and follow up medical attention if it doesn't spontaneously resolve in short order.

The other thing I would suggest is a warm up and stretching routine for your fingers and forearms. I integrate this consistently in conjunction with regular review and practice of basic technique (for years now). If you have a serious contusion you will want to stretch the injury out after the bruising and swelling is gone to ensure you don't get any tissue adhesions etc.

Personally I also try to avoid getting my muscles “pumped” while playing, I believe it pushes them into an anabolic state which results in lactic acid buildup etc. Ultimately the goal is one of maintaining an aerobic state as much as possible, perhaps feeling the “burn” during a solo or intense riff, but then going back to an aerobic state asap. But, from the forum, there are different opinions on this.

Many new drummers get caught up in the spirit journey when they first start playing and are prone loose track of physical awareness during these times. Staying grounded in your body during those journeys is part of the balance and art.

Cheers,
C

C, Your suggestions are appreciated. Sometimes I do forget to stretch both fingers, hands, forearms and shoulders. That really is so vital, isn't it? Also great advise on long-term treatment of injury.
Interesting about the anabolic state of muscles as my teacher and I discussed how different playing speeds require different muscles. Seems that I reach that burn after about 3 minutes but can move past it into more comfort within about a minute.
I am a very spirited player...the joy is overwhelming sometimes. Something very base reaches the innermost spirit of me. I'm learning breathing tecniques also help grounding and being physically loose and comfortable. I'm loving the journey.
Thank you for your comments, I enjoyed reading.
Debra

[LunarStandstill]

Great points added by Cadenza.

A great question by Lunar, but interesting at best as far as the detracting comments after.
I don't find it strange to ask drummers for advice on drumming injuries...no matter who you are.

BTW... +10 on Arnica for any type of bruising... happy healing & safer drumming Lunar!

SpEd,
I've done some reading on Arnica cream and discovered indeed it is highly recommended for bruising, thank you for reiterating its qualities. Regardless of what that other fellow said, I thought this is the exact place I did need to come for advice and I have not been disappointed. I've learned more from asking this question here than I could have learned anywhere else because the musicians on this site have surely experienced much of the same issues I have, or will, experience in the future. Thank you for acknowledging that you believe this was a pertinent question to ask here. I am quite grateful for the recommendations and folks sharing their experiences with me.
Thank you for your input and your well wishes.
Debra

[LunarStandstill]

Debra and others!

How superb is to read and feel one's determination to succeed!!! So motivating!!!
Debra, talk to your thumb and heal it with your will, ackward to some, but it works!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!

PimpS

PimpS,
Thanks...that is sweet of you to comment. I've been a bassist, both classical/jazz double bass and electric blues bass for years. I also play piano, accordion, guitar, fiddle. My hearing was lost due to high dose chemo about 10 years ago though I still struggled long after that trying to find a way to play, melodically. Over the years through nearly desperate tries to stay in the music (because quite honestly I cannot live without my constant companion) slowly I had to lay down the melodic instruments, finally playing bass, then nothing as even that fell to the wayside. Last winter, in the deep dark of depression, I bought a djembe. It spoke to me in vibration and called my name back into the light. I've since moved to conga and onto Latin percussion. It is amazing how time moves within me, solely independent of hearing. Tis a journey into discovery and deeper into the soul of this musician than I ever dreamed possible.
Thank you again for your kind words...talking to my thumb now! =0)
Debra

[pavloconga]

Hi Debra,
I think you've received some good advice here.
Just wanted to say Hi and welcome, I think you've shown incredible courage and determination to strive to remain connected to music, despite injury to your hearing from chemo.

As for the question you asked, and some of the negative comments received – isn't this meant to be a welcoming forum /online community where people with a shared interest can feel free to introduce themselves and ask questions that are related to playing drums? I for one encourage you to ask questions no matter what your skills are in the healing arts.
Drum on.
Pavlo

[Dicemanb]

Debra,

Just coming back on piste, you can expect to get calluses on your thumb joints, just ain't no way to avoid them playing congas.
Welcome to the forum and remember 'No question is a dumb question'

Dice

[Psych1]

I think what we are seeing here is behavior usually seen in a barnyard!