tag:drummersrx.com,2005:/blogs/warming-up-before-you-sit-hit?p=2Warming Up - "Before you SIT & HIT"2023-02-07T09:18:11-05:00Drummer's Rxfalsetag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71499572023-02-07T09:18:11-05:002023-10-16T11:04:08-04:00Health benefits of Drumming :)<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/996a4ae5148e8c7dd96a7468f5b6a2edf3054c2d/original/drx-wellness-for-drummers.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> </p>
<p>The act of sitting down and playing a drum kit has many health & wellness benefits. First off the drums are a percussive instrument meaning they have to be struck which is body movement. The repetition of these movements equals activity or exercise based on your intensity level. You must expend energy (calories) in order to perform which increases your metabolism and maintains muscle mass. Muscle contraction improves immune function through improved lymphatic circulation. The increase in your heart rate will improve blood flow, circulation, blood pressure, and overall cardiac function. </p>
<p> Feel good hormones (Endorphins/Dopamine/Oxytocin) are released which stimulate feelings of pleasure in the reward centers in your brain similar to chocolate or sex. The stimulation of the senses; sight, sound, and touch, builds a stronger mind-body connection which leads to enhanced coordination and feel. Research shows increased blood flow to the brain and improved cognition and memory in musicians. Listening to music is very therapeutic but is nowhere near the highly beneficial effects of playing an instrument, and much more so when you are collaborating with other musicians in a band. Can the euphoria of playing in a band or performing in front of an audience be replicated by anything else? We can recall the feelings of attending a great concert, but what do the players experience from the energy of thousands in the audience? </p>
<p> Playing an instrument is a great way to express your emotions and manage stress while receiving all the benefits of music therapy. The power of music is evident in movie scores. The music conveys the feeling of a scene. Imagine movies without music? Music has the power to heal and reconnect even those suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer's as well as learning disabilities or Autism. Alpha waves in the brain are released when we hear music we enjoy which creates a calming feeling. </p>
<p> Listening or playing an instrument has been known to bridge the gap between our memories and emotions as experienced in nursing homes around the world. Playing music during workouts greatly enhances the experience to motivate and push ourselves helping to reduce feelings of fatigue. Music has the power to convey feelings of happiness, sadness, motivation and give you spine tingling chills or goosebumps. When we combine the sound of music and the activity of playing an instrument, the mind-body benefits are limitless. As a drummer I am sure you have felt the rush and feelings of euphoria when you are playing a song you really enjoy. </p>
<p> Listening to a song you love is great but playing along to that song is exponentially better! - even if you are only air-drumming! </p>
<p>How does playing drums affect YOU? Leave a comment...</p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71444002023-01-27T09:38:41-05:002023-01-27T09:38:41-05:00Protecting your Drum Gear<p> Maintaining and repairing your investment in drum gear is essential to the success of your playing days. Replacement parts, broken cymbals, new sticks and heads can really add up over time. Just like your body, your drum kit sees its fair share of wear and tear. </p>
<p> There are many ways to prevent excessive damage to your gear from the angles of cymbals and drums, proper storage and transporting, replacing worn or broken parts as well as buying quality gear that is built to last. Do your research and choose wisely when purchasing new and used items, know what to look for and known problems with certain brands. Be sure to take into account your style of playing and music to be sure the gear fits your needs. </p>
<p> I will be presenting many topics concerning buying/selling/trading/repairing drum gear on my blog and videos. There are a number of simple DIY fixes for minor repairs that can be done at home with the right parts and tools. Major work may be beyond what you want to take on and may require a skilled craftsman to recut bearing edges on drums or repair broken cymbals.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/9e9403741641db2b2ad5fa646ed65e0da7ead8f0/original/drx-video-courses.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443992023-01-27T09:35:02-05:002023-02-07T09:31:00-05:00How your Day Job affects Drumming<p> Most of you reading this are likely not professional drummers and may play in a band or in your basement. Your day job directly affects your health and joint mechanics. Office workers who sit have loads of health issues such as; Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Low Energy, Poor Posture, Slowed Digestion and more Chronic Pain! </p>
<p> Shop workers or more blue-collar type jobs which require manual labor are more back-building jobs, and office work is actually back-breaking. Sitting on a throne after sitting in a chair all day can be very taxing to your back. How ironic is it that we sit all day yet have ever increasing back problems? This is all based on the “use it or lose it principle”, when you sit in a chair for hours on end, your muscles atrophy. When your back and core muscles are called upon to sit on a throne and play for an extended period of time, you feel it! </p>
<p> Training away from your kit and career are key to long term success behind your drum kit...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/507a1e8fbf468e0a9064afc6c6ff804e90b29f2d/original/drx-brick-wall.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443982023-01-27T09:32:58-05:002023-01-27T09:32:58-05:00Fitness Training for Drummers<p> Most of what we see in the fitness world is bodybuilding which is not what an athlete and especially a drummer should be doing. Increasing muscle size will not benefit your playing, who would make a better drummer - Arnold Schwarzenegger or Bruce Lee? Proper workouts focus on improving function, not beach muscles which can actually hinder your performance. You do not play faster rolls due to bigger muscles, this comes from better motor control from practice not weighted sticks. </p>
<p> You do not need a gym membership to get healthy, less than 15% of the population belongs to a gym and many of them are not healthy. Using simple home equipment or simply just your body weight is very effective if performed the right way. Most of the Drummer’s Rx programs are designed using minimal equipment at home, if you go to a gym that is great and will be addressed but not essential to our system. None of the Drummer’s Rx programs require expensive equipment or vast amounts of time to see results. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/dfe3531b05c2876906ed0aa172151f063fdf6f4b/original/drx-tune-up.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443962023-01-27T09:30:11-05:002023-01-27T09:30:11-05:00Daily Activity to improve your Drumming performance<p> Your daily activity level is essential to physical and mental well-being. Getting at least 10K steps per day is a proven way to maintain your health as we wake at NEGATIVE 10K each day (In a Hole we need to dig out of). When you hit 10K per day you are actually at zero, anything beyond 10K is working in the direction of CHANGE. Activity is any low-moderate intensity movement from walking to biking where Exercise is more strenuous moderate to high intensity (Heart Rate, Breathing…) to elicit CHANGE. The stress from exercise stimulates your body to repair and rebuild to increasing workloads causing a change in your physiology. </p>
<p> A fit drummer is much more prepared to handle the demands placed on their bodies to perform and lug gear around as well as recovering more quickly. Training for life’s demands prepares you for what lies ahead, failing to plan is a plan to FAIL. Our bodies and minds require activity and exercise to stay young and healthy. Finding a balance between too little and too much is key, over and under-exercisers have many of the same aches and pains. </p>
<p> Playing drums definitely adds steps to your activity requirements for the day even though you are sitting. Wear and activity monitor while playing and it will think you are running due to all the arm movements!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/5aca509ef6256840a585963f28cca2d573f4ca64/original/drx-durable-drummer-pic.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443952023-01-27T09:28:23-05:002023-01-27T09:28:23-05:00Preventing and treating Drumming-related Injuries<p> Some of you may be proactive in your approach to fixing issues but most are reactive when it comes to taking care of yourself. “An Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure” certainly pertains to drummers who want to pursue their passion for life. Playing pain free with no limitations to affect your flow is what we all strive for. </p>
<p> Preventing issues before they happen is essential to reducing lost time and money, if you cannot play, you do not get paid and or get replaced. Listen to your body, if something hurts or is excessively tight, you need to address it before it gets worse. “No Pain - No Gain” does not usually end up well and can cause chronic issues that may end your playing days. Small changes have a large impact over time, make adjustments and evaluate yourself over time to see where you can improve. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/688479cafbf89d3f10eb738e61a45a3ca831aaae/original/drx-hand-and-wrist-pain.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443942023-01-27T09:25:51-05:002023-01-27T09:25:51-05:00Managing Stress through Drumming<p> Listening to music provides phenomenal health benefits but playing an instrument goes far beyond that! Combining an auditory and physical experience has many healing properties especially when you feel the rush of the smallest hairs on your body being activated through playing, the rush is an addictive high! Some prefer to get this high from drinking, drugs or other vices, however playing drums is a natural high with nothing but benefits. Whenever we feel stressed or just want to escape, just sit behind your kit and play. It is difficult to think about your problems when you are deep into creating music and are physically using your body to reduce stress hormones. </p>
<p> Drums create what is referred to as “Movement Medicine”, our bodies are made to move, what better stimulus to move than music. We all know that the crowd is listening and moving to the beat you are creating which holds the band together.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/611aec8b3b14e55c5c22e506840332db88d0ad38/original/172713535-1466493470349224-862721236614286241-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443932023-01-27T09:23:44-05:002023-01-27T09:23:44-05:00Rest & Recovery for Drummers<p> Playing the drums is a physically demanding activity that requires extremely high levels of coordination, stamina, precision, timing and athleticism. These demands lead to trauma to your body which will build up over time and can lead to breakdown if not properly addressed. Balancing Work (practicing/playing) with Rest (quality sleep, breaks, time off) is required to maintain and boost your ability to recover. </p>
<p> Hydration and proper nutrition are also very very important to ensure adequate repair of damaged tissue similar to what an athlete requires when training or competing. If you are not properly hydrated you can surely cramp up during a performance, especially from excessive sweating in a humid environment under lights. </p>
<p> Our approach is to balance work & rest to recover fully before performing. Restful sleep is crucial to long-term wellness and many of us have inadequate sleep (Insomnia) which leads to fatigue, brain fog, inflammation and many other chronic health issues.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/b37219eebe172f7267884d9ee5e5ff8aa7116cc0/original/drx-vm.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443922023-01-27T09:21:45-05:002023-01-27T09:21:45-05:00Flexibility for Drummers<p> Tightness in any specific muscle will disrupt your flow and can lead to chronic pain or dysfunction which can affect your ability to perform. We experience tightness not because we do not stretch often enough, it is more of a matter of inactivity and sitting too often. “Sitting is the NEW Smoking” relates to health issues we commonly encounter from sedentary jobs or lifestyles which can lead to serious chronic health issues similar to what smokers encounter. </p>
<p> Drum kit players have to sit on a throne to play, which reduces circulation and can exacerbate tightness and muscle imbalances. Setting your Kit up in an ergonomic way around your body is crucial to performance and durability. As we age our elastic tissue (muscles and tendons) are replaced by inelastic tissue in a process known as sarcopenia. This condition creates tightness that affects your playing ability if not slowed through a structured warm-up and flexibility program. </p>
<p> Static stretching which is the most common form is not very effective long term, we use corrective stretching to reduce tightness and enhance coordination between opposing muscles. We offer a FREE program called <a contents="“Before you SIT &amp; HIT”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://drummersrx.com/blog/blog/7083635/pre-play-stretch-for-drummers">“Before you SIT & HIT”</a> ® to warm-up your entire body before sitting on your throne and starting a technical warm-up of your hands and feet behind your kit.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/020ad388082236976e23353d630e0f436f2313f7/original/drx-pre-play-stretch.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443912023-01-27T09:18:10-05:002023-01-27T09:18:11-05:00Endurance Training for Drummers<p> Muscular endurance is essential to each stroke of your stick as well as each repetition of your bass pedal (Drumming is very very repetitive!) Using proper technique and rebound to play more efficiently will reduce the workload and strain on your body. Drums and cymbals are inanimate objects that require the player to provide muscular force to elicit sound, the larger the volume, the more force is required. With each and every action there is an equal and opposite reaction which drives a vibration forces into your body. Heavy hitters experience much higher levels of stress to their muscles and bones creating more trauma to the body. Inflammation is created from playing which may cause pain and swelling especially around your joints. Many players complain of wrist, elbow, shoulder and back pain which typically gets worse over time, “No Pain - No Gain” usually ends your playing career earlier than you would like. Improving technique (loosened grip on sticks especially) and ergonomics help to reduce wear and tear on your body. Fatigue while playing can come from many sources including dehydration, depleted energy stores and a lack of conditioning and rest. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/8c3b2d920ee9634dd1d9d34dfd33a1388fcc55f6/original/277586999-383230537142422-5876126285155943192-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443902023-01-27T09:15:26-05:002023-01-27T09:15:26-05:00Strength Training for Drummers<p> Drummers require strength mainly for hauling and lugging gear. Drums can be awkward to lift and position while setting up especially in tight spaces. Proper lifting techniques are very important to reduce your risk of injury. Hardware is especially heavy and may require the most strength to haul, use a bag/case with wheels to reduce the load when at all possible. Over time many drummers tend to bring less to gigs in order to reduce the strain on their bodies. </p>
<p> Playing drums requires much more technique and coordination as opposed to actual strength. Training away from your kit to fight the forces of gravity and aging are a must to ensure longevity behind your kit. Lifting weights does strengthen your muscles but the specific type of lifting you do affects your performance, functional training and corrective exercise are what we use in the Drummer’s Rx programming. </p>
<p>Contact us for more...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/ebfae7a1de58eee791ad7a89fe2b65fedb97bcef/original/154347033-1432464813752090-8667161917734081571-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443882023-01-27T09:12:23-05:002023-01-27T09:12:23-05:00Improving Posture for Drummers<p> Good posture is essential to both performance and longevity for all drummers. Whether you are sitting on your throne or simply standing, efficient body mechanics are crucial. </p>
<p> There are two main types of posture; Static & Dynamic while sitting and standing. As a drummer sitting on a throne is mainly dynamic sitting posture as we play. If you have poor posture and mechanics away from your kit, sitting on a throne will only make things worse. Training your back/core away from your drum kit will enhance endurance, coordination and longevity for life. Poor posture is very common in our population especially in the senior and now youth populations. Performance stems from a solid foundation especially in drumming. Most other instruments do not require the force and dexterity involved in playing a drum kit. </p>
<p>Contact us for more...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/3a9d4d4917609e8dc1323e9687cb83ff3ff801af/original/78075115-1071894203142488-7407133863203307520-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443872023-01-27T09:10:26-05:002023-01-27T09:10:26-05:00Pain reduction for Drummers<p> We all have daily aches and pains based on our careers which are accelerated by aging, add drumming to the mix and expect an overload. How do we sleep in a soft bed at night and wake up sore and stiff? Proper movement does wonders to reduce pain and swelling that inactivity will only compound. “Use it or LOSE it” applies to your ability to function in whatever role you choose, atrophy is the loss of muscle due to inactivity. Back breaking work is sitting at a desk, NOT digging ditches! We have more and more chronic health/pain issues in our modern society due to lack of movement. Chronic pain is likely one of the worst factors in degrading your health & well-being and should never be ignored. Acute pain from a known injury is a sign to stop and allow healing time. Many drummers with nagging (Chronic) injuries play through the pain or cover it up with pain-killers rather than fixing the problem, often leading to referred pain in surrounding areas until you lose total function. Drummers experience many joint problems (RSI - repetitive stress injuries) commonly in their wrists, hands, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles and feet. Fixing the cause of the pain or dysfunction is key, masking the pain with painkillers or braces simply does not work to correct these issues long term. </p>
<p>Contact us for more information...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/fcea11abf70f461e5a1269672d8c8ed5b68b6fd8/original/drx-low-back-pain-help.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/71443862023-01-27T09:07:29-05:002023-01-27T09:07:29-05:00Meet the Drummer's Rx Creator - Jared Byer, HFC<p>My name is Jared Byer. I have been a Health & Wellness coach since 1992 and a drummer since 1995. Drummer’s Rx is the combination of my 2 passions (Drumming & Wellness) and the culmination of my years helping others boost performance and longevity in their lives. I have been developing and researching ways to prevent and treat drumming related injuries over the past several years as a sport/drummer-specific program. My approach is designed to improve posture, alignment, ergonomics, endurance, flexibility and performance through easy to follow videos and ebooks for Beginner to Pro level players. </p>
<p> I had originally started college as a Physical Therapy major in Buffalo NY but began working in a gym my freshman year of college in 1992. My experience helping others improve their well being turned into a full-time job and eventually my career path. All these years later I have gained a world of hands-on experience working with thousands of clients from pro athletes to soccer moms and everyone in between. I have been fortunate to have had amazing clients that have really taught me what works and what does not. While gaining valuable work experience I also continued my education through many health & fitness certifications and specializations (ACSM, NASM, ISSA, NETA, plus special populations training). My first role in the fitness industry was as a Personal Trainer, I moved up to Program Director, taught group classes and seminars, became a Club Manager, and eventually became my own boss as an entrepreneur with my own company named “Made 2 Move Fitness”. As the industry has changed so has my direction in developing specialty programming for specific populations; Drummers. My experience working with athletes and the training/injuries made me look at what drummers experience practicing and playing to create Drummer’s Rx (Drummer’s Prescription). Athletes typically have a short time span of “playing years” and deal with lingering injuries for the rest of their lives often opting out of activities due to old “sports injuries”. Drummers have a much longer time span of playing years and need to take care of their bodies for the long haul. This is why I created Drummer’s Rx, there is not much out there on prevention and treatment to keep drummers healthy so I began my research. I have read and watched unlimited amounts of information for the past several years to create an evolving program to help drummers boost performance and longevity. Like most of our population drummers are not a health conscious group, they ignore issues and play through the pain and are typically more reactive than proactive. Much of my program is designed to correct issues rather than to prevent them as PAIN is a great motivator. My hope is that my research and programs give you insight into ways to play more efficiently, reduce wear and tear and to enjoy playing drums for your entire life!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/8b04d56f9ba434e93824067fabac3c6cd4119400/original/drx-profile.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/70836352022-10-18T10:58:03-04:002022-10-19T10:56:14-04:00Pre-Play Stretch for Drummers<p><strong>"Before you SIT & HIT"</strong> - perform these 6 stretches >>></p>
<p><br>These 6 standing stretches are meant to improve mobility for drummers before they practice or perform.</p>
<p>A general body warm-up should always come before a technical warm-up of hands and feet on your kit. </p>
<p>Stretching tight muscles before playing is essential to performance & longevity.</p>
<p>Drummer's Rx #drums, #drummer, #wellness #drumming</p>
<p>Here is a PDF link to print and share: <a contents="Google Drive PDF" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/16yS34PHZL6K8iOVShOoxojllGXY23twi/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><strong>Google Drive PDF</strong></a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/e4ae2fbabc52e66677799e9dd43f7b78d2b665e7/original/drx-before-you-sit-and-hit1024-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69842422022-06-01T10:22:19-04:002022-10-17T11:12:18-04:00Tinnitus help for Drummers :)<p><strong>Tinnitus Help for Drummers:</strong></p>
<p>If you suffer from this disorder, there are several options to look into. </p>
<p><strong>Number 1</strong>. Start with prevention, always practice safe "Playing & Listening"! Get a good pair of ear plugs, filters, in-ear monitors or noise canceling headphones to reduce the pressure (dBs) on your ear drums.</p>
<p><strong>Number 2</strong>. Try to identify the source of your issues, aside from drum and cymbal pressure - what other loud noises are you around? Firearms, Factories, Power Tools and more cause damage aside from simply aging. There are over 200 drugs associated with Tinnitus as well! Speak with your Doctor regarding any medical issues which may be affecting you, ask for a referral to an Audiologist.</p>
<p><strong>Number 3.</strong> Clear Ear Wax! Excess may create pressure against your ear drum and affect it's function. There are several ways to safely clear ear wax, q-tips tend to push wax in more than remove it and you need to be careful not to go too deep. There are several over the counter ear wax rinses that work quite well. Wearing headphones is known to increase the production of ear wax as well.</p>
<p><strong>Number 4</strong>. Test the volume of your drums/cymbals with a Decibel/Sound Meter App. It is amazing at the volume (pressure in dBs) that drums and cymbals produce which are all typically well above the safe range! This should reinforce the need for hearing protection.</p>
<p><strong>Number 5</strong>. Reduce Stress and get proper REST! Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and increase circulation inexpensively. Restful Sleep is the number one most overlooked factor that affects your health & longevity, work on factors which affect your ability to get consistent rest. A few ways to get a better night's sleep are; reduce artificial light exposure 2-hours prior to bed (Cell, TV, Tablet, LED lights), set a daily sleep/wake schedule, and sleep in a cool/dark room to avoid stimulating a wake response.</p>
<p>Here is a more detailed article from Dr. Andrew Weil: Click <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/disease-disorders/tinnitus/?fbclid=IwAR26NO_JRUXx7ASiuD--ys8-xVs6-n9adw1n_P0517-fItG5OTAEhsa3qYY" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/16d76afaa9ac5559545d3750612e3377ea887783/original/tinnitus.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69842382022-06-01T09:47:04-04:002022-10-17T11:12:18-04:00Low Back Pain affecting Drummers<p>Attention: Drummers with Low Back Pain :(</p>
<p>Low Back Pain can have serious effects on your ability to play your drum kit. If you have a weak back/core, sitting behind or hauling/setting up a drum kit will only make it worse.</p>
<p>Learn effective methods to reduce and correct chronic low back pain affecting your ability to play your Drums.</p>
<p><strong>Drummer's Rx</strong> focuses on corrective exercises and stretching in combination with proper ergonomics to relive these issues to boost performance and longevity behind your kit.</p>
<p><strong>Virtual Coaching</strong> sessions and <strong>Custom Programs</strong> available NOW!</p>
<p><a contents="Contact Us" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact"><strong>Contact Us</strong></a> to schedule a 30-min. Virtual Consult >>></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/fcea11abf70f461e5a1269672d8c8ed5b68b6fd8/original/drx-low-back-pain-help.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69842342022-06-01T09:40:03-04:002022-06-01T09:40:03-04:00Hand + Wrist Pain affecting Drummers<p>Hand + Wrist Pain typically starts in your "Neck & Shoulders".</p>
<p>Having poor posture as a drummer leads to dysfunction down the arm affecting your hands and wrists as well as your elbows.</p>
<p>Many of these issues are "chronic" meaning they build over time as repetitive stress builds inflammation.</p>
<p>The pain may be in your wrists and hands but the issue may be pressure on the nerves which control muscle function, like pinching a garden hose to disrupt flow.</p>
<p>Surgeries unfortunately rarely help, the best method is to correct posture and improve ergonomics on your kit.</p>
<p><a contents="Contact Us" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact"><strong>Contact Us</strong></a> if you are having these types of issues >>></p>
<p>@<strong>Drummer's Rx</strong> #drummer, #drums, #drumming</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/688479cafbf89d3f10eb738e61a45a3ca831aaae/original/drx-hand-and-wrist-pain.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69598052022-04-29T09:57:16-04:002022-05-18T09:33:13-04:00Best Drum Thrones for Drummers?<p>Choosing the right drum throne can either make or break your performance. There are many choices on the market and finding the right one that best suits you is key. Your throne is you balance point behind your drum kit, so it must be comfortable, supportive, stable and setup properly. Many drummers I work with complain of back problems and I always tell them that an expensive throne will not fix your back issues. A good quality throne set at the right height and distance from your snare is the best place to start. </p>
<p>Here are the main types of thrones:</p>
<p>- Round</p>
<p>- Saddle/Tractor Seat</p>
<p>- Domed</p>
<p>- Bench</p>
<p>- Scooped (Roc n Soc)</p>
<p>* Backrests: Some thrones offer the option of having a backrest, it seems like a good way to support your back but it will actually make your back weaker. Backrests are braces which take on the role your core muscles should be doing, this causes atrophy of your muscles. I DO NOT RECCOMMEND any Backrests on drum thrones. If you have a weak CORE, train it away from your kit to boost endurance and longevity.</p>
<p>The position you sit on your throne makes a huge difference as well. Do you site towards the FRONT (Dime), MIDDLE (Nickel) or BACK (Quarter) in this pic? Note the smaller the coin, the less of your hips are on the throne...(The DIME is closest to your Kit).</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/19c6a0f63f342d6d7dbc39e4658b8567bae43521/original/drx-throne-d-n-q.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69598022022-04-29T09:48:02-04:002022-05-18T09:29:24-04:00Hearing Protection for Drummers<p>Unlike sight which we can correct with glasses or contacts, hearing unfortunately cannot be corrected - only amplified. Prevention is key to preventing hearing loss especially in drummers. Protection comes in many forms but must be used when playing, practicing, listening to music, going to hear bands play and any other times you may be around loud noises (Lawn Mowing, Firearms, Power Tools...). </p>
<p>There are many devices Drummers can choose from:</p>
<p>- Foam Ear Plugs </p>
<p>- Ear Plugs with Filters</p>
<p>- Over the Ear Mufflers</p>
<p>- In-Ear Monitors</p>
<p>- Over the Ear Headphones (Vic Firth are GREAT!)</p>
<p>Start at an early age and stay consistent, hearing loss is the main complaint I hear from older drummers who wish they had protected their hearing at a young age. Again PREVENTION is key!</p>
<p>Try using a <strong>Decibel App</strong> while playing to see the real pressure your drums and cymbals create >>></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/55f0ed4190566cace5f3555e7eafb0644be47309/original/drx-hearing-dev.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rxtag:drummersrx.com,2005:Post/69597872022-04-29T09:36:41-04:002022-05-18T09:24:35-04:00Warming Up - "Before you SIT & HIT"<p>It is essential for all drummers to warm-up properly before playing or practicing. Do athletes warm-up prior to playing? We are talking about warming up your entire body to be ready to go before you sit on your throne. Many drummers do perform rudiments or "pad work" to prepare but this is more of a skill warm-up not the total body warm-up I am referencing.</p>
<p>It is somewhat ironic to warm-up or prepare to "SIT", but sitting on your throne is "ACTIVE". </p>
<p>Here is what a Warm-up Increases:</p>
<p>- Circulation (Brain and Muscles)</p>
<p>- Blood Pressure </p>
<p>- Heart Rate</p>
<p>- Respiration Rate</p>
<p>- Perspiration Rate</p>
<p>- Flexibility</p>
<p>- Motor Control</p>
<p>Here is a sample of stretches to do prior to sitting behind your kit >>></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/634829/020ad388082236976e23353d630e0f436f2313f7/original/drx-pre-play-stretch.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Drummer's Rx