Fingers Going Numb

  • Thread starter Thread starter MorganG
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MorganG

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Hey this is my first post, I was just posting to ask if any of you had experienced any numbness in any fingers after or while playing the drums. I just got done playing the drums and I couldn't feel anything in two of my fingers and I looked at them and they were dead white. Is this just my hard grip, the cold weather or what? I ran them under hot water and they regained color and blood flow, so I'm leaning towards the cold weather, but If anyone has any grip tips or something like that, let me know.
 
If it was your first two fingers (index and middle), it could be a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is where the nerves and blood vessels passing through your wrist get squeezed, resulting in numbness in your hand & other problems. It is a type of repetitive-motion injury that is common among musicians. I'm not sure what techniques would improve the symptoms for you, but you don't want to keep playing like that, because it will get worse.
 
You need to ask your doctor about it. It could be any number of things, from bad technique to leprosy. You're probably just white-knucklin' on the damn things, but if it's persistent and uncomfortable bring a pad and some sticks and go see the doc. You should be able to drum without any circulatory problems.
 
If it happens again I would definitely consult a physician but also find a good teacher in your area to help you adjust your grip.

It's very easy to injure yourself if you do not strike the drums correctly. Martial arts experts teach proper techniques to strike objects and opponents without injuring yourself. They share very similar concepts.

Warm up exercises will probably be of great benefit to you as well.
 
Thanks a lot for the replies, I'll definately talk to a doctor about this, and scrubs, its my third (middle) and fourth finger, fourth finger as in the finger next to my pinky, can it still be carpal tunnel? And if so, would I just need to do exercises before playing, or am I just fucked and haved to deal with it?
 
First of all, how hard are you gripping the stick?!?! The stick should almost fall out of your hand. I mean literally.

If it's your ring finger and pinkie finger, those would be the Ulnar nerve rather than Carpal Tunnel. You'll get sore in the elbow, and you'll "get a knot in your neck" (or at least I did from it).


Tim
 
How long were you playing for? The only time I've experienced numbness was during a 1 hour roll competition we held at my University. We could switch between double strokes and buzz rolls, but couldn't stop rolling. My prof would come around with dynamic changes (i.e. pp for 10 mins, fff for 5, mf for 3...etc). It was my first time rolling this long, so I think that's why my hands felt numb in the last 10 mins or so!
 
Okay, I think I solved it. I sat down and thought about how many times this has happened and its not often, it was very cold outside and I think that when I walked down to my studio I got pretty cold and lost a little feeling just from the walk. So, by the time that I started playing, I gripped it harder than I usually do because I can't feel as much. Thanks for the comments and I'm almost positive that this is the reason for the numbness.
 
Try drinking more water, too. Might not solve it altogether, but when I get numbness it helps to stay hydrated. Maybe I am just dumb?
 
Schloo said:
Try drinking more water, too. Might not solve it altogether, but when I get numbness it helps to stay hydrated. Maybe I am just dumb?
Click to expand...

nah i dont think you're dumb, water does seem to help everything!
 
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