{"id":15312,"date":"2019-05-22T10:07:17","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T17:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=15312"},"modified":"2022-08-23T13:40:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T20:40:41","slug":"7-health-questions-drummers-are-too-embarrassed-to-ask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/7-health-questions-drummers-are-too-embarrassed-to-ask\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Health Questions Drummers Are Too Embarrassed To Ask"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/344209404\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-15561\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"546\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png 1600w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/22095037\/7-health-questions.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a no-brainer: drumming is a physical activity. There\u2019s a reason we\u2019re hesitant to give hugs after a live gig. Like most demanding sports, there\u2019s always a risk of blood, sweat, and maybe even tears.<\/p>\n<p>For those who experience potentially embarrassing aspects of playing the drums the way you do, you might have accepted it as \u2018part of the job\u2019 when it might actually be avoidable.<\/p>\n<p>Most drummers have asked themselves at least one of the questions on this list. And if you haven\u2019t, congratulations &#8211; you\u2019re one of the lucky ones! This isn\u2019t to say you should experience blood, sweat and tears during or after drumming. But if you have, here\u2019s what you can do about it*:<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Why is my seat wet?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> Ah, the dreaded \u2018swamp seat\u2019 (or \u2018swass\u2019, as some affectionately call it). Many drummers find their throne &#8211; and derriere &#8211; drenched after a set. No need to worry.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> You probably sweat a lot above the waist while you play, and it happens to collect right at your seat. If you use a vinyl or leather throne, it won\u2019t absorb that sweat, and you might find yourself sitting in a puddle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Try switching to a velvet or cloth topped seat in the short term. Keep in mind that while it should help reduce the puddle of sweat underneath you, it could eventually harbor bacteria. Other options include using a fan to cool you down, and playing in moisture-wicking clothes. Some drummers even use baby powder or Gold Bond. You\u2019ll find something that works for you.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Why am I itchy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> If something is itching uncontrollably and it\u2019s been causing problems for a few days, you may want to get it checked out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> We\u2019ve said it before, and we\u2019ll say it again: drummers tend to sweat a lot. Drummers also sometimes have \u2018drumming shoes\u2019 or \u2018drumming shorts\u2019 that are only used when playing. Do you wash these after every jam session, or do they stay in a corner, grimy and wet until next time? If that\u2019s the case, you could be dealing with a fungal infection or a rash.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Most over-the-counter antifungal creams should do the trick. Avoid re-wearing clothing you\u2019ve already been sweating in, and you\u2019ll keep nasty bacteria away. But most importantly, if the itch has no reasonable explanation or has lasted a few days or longer, go see a doctor.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Why do I always have pit stains?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> Probably not. But if you sweat uncontrollably outside of drumming, and antiperspirant doesn\u2019t work for you, you should talk to a doctor or dermatologist in case it\u2019s hyperhidrosis (an excessive sweating disorder). However, as a drummer, sweating comes with the territory so you probably have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> Sweat &#8211; but you knew that already.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Some people find sweaty pits and T-shirt stains embarrassing. The color you wear can play a role. New sweat doesn\u2019t show up too much on white or black shirts, but can stain white. Gray, red, and blue are more likely to show wetness. Try wearing a white or black shirt for live gigs, or athletic wear with moisture-wicking material. And don&#8217;t forget the antiperspirant.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Why do I get groin cramps?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> You probably pulled a muscle. It might hurt at the time, but it should go back to normal within a minute or two. If it happens while you\u2019re playing live, you might need to shift your body or simplify the bass drum parts until the feeling passes. If you\u2019re rehearsing, stop and stretch. If the cramp doesn\u2019t go away after a while, talk to a doctor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> It could be your bass drum technique (especially if you\u2019re a \u2018pedal stomper\u2019) or the setup of your drums (legs too far apart, throne too high) that\u2019s causing a problem. If you don\u2019t stretch or warm up, you might also be asking too much of your muscles before they\u2019re ready. Dehydration can also cause muscle cramping, so you might not be drinking enough water.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Make sure your legs are positioned comfortably over the pedals. Try lowering your throne, or even consider playing a smaller snare drum. It may mean adjusting your bass drum technique so you don\u2019t use your entire leg. Make sure you stretch before and after you play, and drink lots of water. If you\u2019ve tried all of these things and you\u2019re still regularly getting cramps or pulling muscles, ask a doctor or a physiotherapist.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Why do I smell bad?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> Aside from this being embarrassing for most people, you probably shouldn\u2019t be worried. However, like the question about pit stains, if you constantly smell bad when you aren\u2019t drumming &#8211; no matter how often you shower or use deodorant &#8211; it might be a medical issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> Body odor is caused by bacteria. Bacteria may also be responsible for bad smells coming from the clothes you\u2019re wearing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Do you smell bad after or while you play? Aside from changing clothes and taking a shower, there isn\u2019t much you can do about it. Use foot powder in your shoes, apply deodorant, wear fresh clothes while drumming and remember: most drummers deal with the same problem.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Why are my hands bleeding?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> Your hands shouldn\u2019t bleed when you\u2019re drumming. While it\u2019s probably not a major medical concern, you should make some changes to avoid a splatter &#8211; especially if it\u2019s on someone else\u2019s kit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> You\u2019re probably smashing a knuckle on the rim of the snare. If that\u2019s not the case, you might be gripping the sticks so tightly you create blisters, or using old, chewed up sticks and getting splinters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> If you get bloody knuckles a lot, try adjusting the angle of your snare and make sure your throne isn\u2019t too low. Make sure you have enough room for your elbows and don\u2019t sit with your back against a wall. If your grip is too tight, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/drumshop\/drum-technique-made-easy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">find a more comfortable and loose technique<\/a>. And it should go without saying, but if pieces of your sticks are breaking off in your hands, get new sticks!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>7. Why am I chafing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Should I be worried?<\/strong> It\u2019s uncomfortable, awkward, and can turn into a rash, but it\u2019s not going to kill you. For drummers, chafing usually happens in the inner thighs, but it can happen in a few other places, too. If it\u2019s so bad that the area gets raw and infected, definitely pay a visit to the clinic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s causing it?<\/strong> Sweaty skin and\/or clothing rubbing together creates friction and irritation. Not fun.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What can I do about it?<\/strong> Wear loose-fitting pants while drumming, or choose shorts that don\u2019t ride up: this will prevent the skin on your thighs from rubbing together, while also avoiding rubbing on fabric. It\u2019s already come up in this article, but moisture-wicking athletic clothing can help reduce sweat. You can also use Vaseline or an anti-chafing product (usually in the form of a stick or powder).<\/p>\n<p>These questions might seem embarrassing, but it\u2019s all (mostly) normal stuff drummers\u2019 bodies go through. While we do \u2018hit things\u2019, our bodies are just as much part of the instrument as our drums. Don\u2019t forget to take care of yourself!<\/p>\n<p><em>*Drumeo can\u2019t provide medical advice. Go see a doctor if you\u2019re concerned about something!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drumming is a physically demanding activity that can take a toll on your body. Here are some awkward health questions drummers might be too embarrassed to ask.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":15560,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4040,1871,4018],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-physical-health","category-technique"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/124"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15312"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22781,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15312\/revisions\/22781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}