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Posted:
Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:54 pmby folkloricoSD
I searched for this topic, and could not find anything specific on SHOULDER pain. It seems that players that have pain seem to be getting it in their wrists, forearms, and elbows. I am having pain in my shoulder though. It is my right shoulder, which is my dominant hand. The funny thing is that it doesn't hurt while I'm playing. But when I wake up in the morning, or when I'm relaxing I can feel a soreness in my shoulder. I've never had this problem before, and it is sort of scaring me. I have iced it down at night, and put icy-hot on it. It feels better after these things, but does not go away. So I was just wondering if anyone else has had shoulder pain like this. If it doesn't go away soon, I will have to go to the doctor. I know he will tell me to take a break from playing, and I really don't want to. 
Please guys, I need advice.... Congas are my life, and I don't know what I would do if I developed tendinitis and have to stop playing. Thank You in advance...
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:30 amby onile
Alafia Abure FolkloricoSD!
I have experienced a similar pain in my shoulder blade area. I get it because of poor posture at times when playing, and obviously because I'm not in the best physical shape I could be.
What I do when I get it, I'm usually on a gig of course, is a Qi Qong exercise which requires breathing and stretching to be coordinated together.
When I go on break, it looks innocently enough like I'm just stretching, which is exactly what it is but helping to re-circulate my "chi" (life energy). I start out with standing as straight as possible, taking in a deep breath, stretching out my hands above my head (palms up) slowly, while exhaling until the last bit of air is depleted, then letting my hands come down in a circular motion (hands by my side), and repeating the exercise a couple of more times. It really helps to loosen up the back and re-circulate the chi.
p.s. I also have a bottle of advil or motrin with me just in case :laugh:
Many blessings my brother!
Onile!
Edited By onile on 1184113903
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:44 amby folkloricoSD
Thank you for the advice Onile!!! I think this problem might be from poor posture as you said. I just saw a video on the internet about shulder pain and the doctor in the video said that if you naturally "roll" your shoulders forward and rest like that, then you are using bad posture. I'm pretty sure I do this while im playing, so I will try and play with better posture, and see if this helps...
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:07 amby onile
It's a little uncomfortable at first (correctly posturing yourself while playing), but in the end run you will benefit the most from it. The Advil/Motrin doesn't hurt to have available either!
Many blessings Abure!
Onile!
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:24 amby JohnnyConga
Hi Guys..My recommendation for sore bones and joints is
OSTEO-BI-FLEX or GLAUCOSAMINE WITH CHONDROITIN......I have been taking it now for over 3 months...my bone "spur" in my left shoulder no longer bothers me ...my right arm has "straightend" out...my knees dont bother me walking up steps.....I SWEAR BY THIS STUFF!....Im 59...and my hands aren't hurting either and I can make a fist without it bothering me like it would...or to shake hands...try it u'll like it!..."JC" Johnny Conga...
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:22 amby Whopbamboom
I've had good luck with:
1) MSM with Glucosamine
2) stretching
3) massage by my wife
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:09 amby folkloricoSD
Wow thanks guys!! I played tonite with better posture, and you're right Onile it was a little uncomfortable. I know it will be better in the long run though. I'm also going to try the glaucosamine. I really appreciate the response guys... I am glad to hear everyones remedies.
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:23 amby blango
Are you using your arms to play Folklorico? As opposed to just playing with the hands, bending at the wrist.
You arms shouldnt be moving up and down much.
This takes building the strength in your forarms, but it should take your shoulder out of the picture.
Also, relaxation in the joints, and letting the muscles do the work - its a hard technique to learn, but it really helps.
Tony
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:56 pmby folkloricoSD
Actually Blango, I do use just wrists. I think my problem comes when moving over to the tumba. I think it is this "reach" that is putting some strain on my shoulder. Especially when I play faster. I'm really going to focus more on relaxation and posture while playing now. I'm also going to try moving my tumba a little closer and not so far away from my main drum.
Posted:
Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:24 pmby Raymond
One of three things:
1 - Bad "development" in the shoulder and shoulder is building up to be in sync with "the new exercices".
2 - Injury. You might have one and don't know due to 1 above or the next one.
3- Bad posture, putting pressure in the wrong muscles because your are tensing yourself too much, etc.
My recommendation is to take it easy. Feelings of pains in certain muscles or joints is normal at the beginning or when you are out of practice. Need to "feel" yourself to see what you might be doing wrong. Rest that part.
Saludos!
Posted:
Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:42 amby Whopbamboom
I should mention that MSM is for pulling toxins and impurities out of your system. Muscle aches are often associated with a buildup of some sort of acid or toxin in the muscle.
Glucosamine is for lubricating joints.
I get the 2-in-1 supplement that has both.
You can also double-check yourself on your minerals. For instance, if your pain is from cramping, then you might need to increase your intake of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
And make sure you are drinking plenty of water!
One more thing you can try-- arnica gel/balm applied topically. Arnica is good for inflammation.
Posted:
Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:27 amby blango
Folklorico,
Do you stretch before and after?
I do the elbo to the opposite shoulder stretch for transitions.
Stretching, for me, is number one.
Tony
Posted:
Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:18 pmby folkloricoSD
Yea I stretch, but not as much as I should. I do warm up for about a half hour though, before I try anything heavy on my chops. Since I've had this problem, I have been stretching my shoulder out everyday. It seems to help, but I guess only time will tell.
Posted:
Fri Jul 13, 2007 2:07 pmby blango
Im always surprised that more musicians dont stretch before a gig.
I always do, before and after, every time I play.
A good one for the shoulders is holding your elbow to your opposite shoulder for 30 seconds. And putting your hand on your hip, taking the other hand, putting it on the elbow, and slowly bringing the elbow towards the belly button.
Stretching, for tendonitis, if thats what it is, takes a few months to rid you of any pain, but keep it up, it works.
Also, the good Dr. can give you exercises to breakup the scar tissue that is causing pain (again if its tendonitis) and strengthen the tendon. It really works too.
hope that helps,
Tony
Posted:
Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:09 pmby folkloricoSD
Thanks a lot Tony!! I've been stretching it every morning, and it does feel better throughout the day. I'm going to see the doctor today, so hopefully he can give me some stretches and advice like you say.