Wrist damage

__Lewis__ · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:51 am Post subject: Wrist damage

I have extreme paranoia about not being able to drum anymore after some serious wrist damage. Possibly, this could be set in motion.

I've been playing on an electronic set for nearly 2 months now, having made the switch from an acoustic set. As a result, I've been trying to replicate the set up of the electric to emulate the (now stored) acoustic. All was well up until a few days ago. I have one crash pad set at face height, with the other relatively flat and low as possible. The tom pads are in a standard 5-piece set up and the hi-hat pad isn't greatly high, but high enough.
Recently, I have started to developed a bit of an ache in my right hand, in the immediate wrist area. If you follow along your thumb with your finger on to the wrist, you'll see how I mean it's on the "top" of the wrist.

Now this is only recent, but a considerable cause for concern, as I don't want to give up this hobby so quickly.

A few things to mention:
- I've played with the moeller technique and after coming to the conclusion that it's uncomfortable I developed a kind of pseudo French/American grip which uses a full arm motion stemming from the elbow. However, I've recently reverted back to integrating more wrist, just not to the extent of the moeller and whip motion.
- Up until recently, I haven't been warming up before playing my electronic set, in which I generally play for a few hours at a time.
- I stretch fairly extensively. It seems that when I "rotate" both sticks in one hand, holding them there with the other, this motion stretches the area I'm concerned with.
- The largest amount of "ache" comes from when I'm riding the hats or ride at anywhere around or above 130 bpm. Granted, I had been using mostly an arm motion and very little wrist. As previously mentioned, however, I'm starting to develop more wrist into action. If you want an example of what I'm trying to go for, and roughly how high my hats are in comparison to my snare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZJ6lO17DYs
- Lastly, I don't feel any strenuous pain, rather just a tinge and I feel this could lead to issues later down the line and I'd rather nip it in the bud now than deal with the consequences later. When I'm not playing, however, I can vaguely feel the sensation, but it's not causing me any real issues, it's just omnipresent.

So, in conclusion, does anyone have any advice for me to nut out these issues? Preferably, I'd like to utilise a wrist/arm combo as opposed to going back to the moeller technique. Should I also follow my intuition and try to find this arm/wrist balance, along with warming up and stretching to the extent that I would playing an acoustic set.
Speaking of which, I've yet to play an acoustic set yet with this wrist/arm combo, rather just with the arm technique and I have no issues with any aches.

Hopefully you can help!

__Lewis__ · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

What, a post larger than two small paragraphs and NO ONE can answer?

The549 · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:49 am Post subject:

What size sticks? I used to git a lot of pain in a fast punk band. Solution? Quit. Would also like real professional instruction regarding the wrist pain. I know that you can relearn how to play drums with perfect rebound, but I think things get compounded when you add in the hand crossovers, crashes, etc. I have tried experimenting with the angle that i twist my hands when going from, say, the floor tom to a left crash cymbal.

I don't think you'll find a simple solution. So it's your right hand? When playing something like constant 8th notes on the hihat? I myself only got pain when I was whipping from one drum to another.
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edgewood_drummer92 · Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 694

maybe hitting too hard? I get pains in my top hand/wrist area, but when that happens it's usually because my muscles are tight and I'm using small sticks. I have very big hands, so bigger sticks usually means less pain for me. I'm not exactly sure if anything else causes my pain.
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sbowman128675 · Lion King Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 1072

you may not be in the "home position"....Dave Weckl

he says, that when you sit down at your drum stool before you set up any drums,and you place your feet and hands were they most feel comfortable, that's your "home position". its were u can feel most comfortable when playing.

also, using more wrist in defiantly a winning idea. look up Benny Greb if you need help on wrist technique.
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gigeoffro · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

you may want to go see a doctor... sounds like carpel tunnel syndrom to me.

does it happen when your not playing? getting any numbness? If so... thats what it is. it's a simple 5 minute surgery with a quick recovery time. you'll be back to playing in no time.
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styles2281 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

I've just seen this now.

It "sounds" like Carpel Tunnel (I've had the opposite issue with an Ulna nerve pinch that have given me similar symptoms). A doctor will be able to give you more information on this. Somewhere, I have a packet on Carpal Tunnel in music (particularly percussionists), ANYONE who would like a copy may feel free to PM me their email and I will be glad to send it out.

For quick hits - Rest is most important, if you can take enough time off. Stretching (before AND after) is good, continue to do more and more of it, but remember what carpal Tunnel is. Further, good posture (NOT JUST AT THE KIT) can help prevent it, and you'll need to be weary of it at all times (particularly at the computer).

Hope this helps some.
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Tam · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:31 am Post subject:

One thing to try is an elastic wrist brace, even though it might restrict movement a bit, that's part of the issue in the first place, from what you describe.
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