I've searched and looked through some stuff and I know I'll probably get scolded because this has been posted a million times, but...

I'm marching tenors this year and I weigh about as much as they do. (I wrestle 112 and am weighing about 116 right now.)

We haven't been carrying a whole lot yet, but I know my shoulders are going to be burning and my lower back aching all next week because it happened when I was carrying snare.

What do you all do for your back during/after rehearsal/camp?

Bend over and touch your toes every chance you get. it helps a lot.

When your wearing them and you don't have a chance to take them off, spread your legs and just bend over. It'll help alittle. Also, when you can, lift the quads up, so they aren't pulling on your back as much. After practice I take a hot shower and then just chill in some comfortable clothes and watch TV or something. After a few hours it's all good in the hood.

get used to it... it takes a toll on your body... drum corps is whole other issue, i am 25 and feel like im 50 getting out of bed in the mornings, i have major back issues, and knee problems. 6 years div1 with a 32"bass was fun but man it still hurts.. who ever came up with the idea to make a bottom bass player hump a 32" bass at 206+ was a master of his craft. lol just kidding man it hurts but im not complaining... You get used to it first couple weeks its gonna be killer. but my best advice is to not develope bad habits such as:

1. Leaning backwards(arching you back backwards) to relieve the stress it feels good then but causes some serious damage.

2.Leaning forwards all the way (bent over) drums hanging or touching the ground will damage you. Also when you goto upright yourself you are dead lifting 35+- lbs with your back... not good!!

3.Not rolling your feet or being on your toes in crab or back march (or whatever your style may be) there is method to that madness along the lines of the drums dont bounce which will save your back.

4. #1 problem I see drummers do and I used to do it myself.... DO NOT HANG YOUR DRUMS FROM THE BACK OF YOUR NECK! Drummers have a habit of lifting the carrier off their shoulders and letting the back bar sit on the back of their neck.... that is not good!!! probably the worst thing in this list other than the dead lift.

5. any other weird posture other than a straight back will hurt you in the long run. You will find ways that feel good for temporary relief but it most likly will cause major damage to you in the long run. Almost like eating something really tasty the better it taste the worse it is for your body (trust me i weigh 260)....

All in a lil mineral ice, helps when you goto bed, and a heat pad. NO ICE!!!!

Just my 2 cents.... Also dont let people give you beef about your size I have a kid on my indy line who is smaller than you in weight and humps a 38 pound set of Dynasty big boy six pack tenors better than anyother able bodied person. Also have a snare player even smaller than him and SHE runs laps around our snare line even though the "Shorty" snare pretty much bangs her knee caps!!! in case your wonder no im not marching the worlds smallest drumline out here or a circus freak show. They are some of our best players hopefully they stick around for WGI season. Once again just MY 2 cents.

Go buy a back brace. They're like 15-20 bucks at walmart and they do wonders.

A little exercise wont hurt anybody, flex and strech everytime you get the chance.

Yea I'm not tiny, I'm 5'10", I just keep my weight down for wrestling. [I was about 130 at the beginning of summer but pre-season USA wrestling's about to start]

I'm out of shape for me and still in better shape than the rest of the line.

Can anyone help me out and tell me what mineral ice is?

Never mind.

Icy Hot.

Yea i'm going through the exact same thing as you starting in about a week. The back brace just makes sure your back is straight right? I've been thinking about getting one for awhile but i've been holding off.

I picked up a back brace today.

I wasn't very smart this weekend. I'm going to die before I even start tomorrow. I spent all weekend trying to land a tantrum (backfilp) on my wakeboard. So I'm already sore as crap.

I might have to visit the asains at the mall for a massage.

A strong core will help alleviate some of your problems. Make certain that you perform exercises to strengthen your abs as well as your lower back muscles. After rehearsal, soak in some epson salt and hot water.

Pilates. Seriously.

I know, it sounds fruity, but pilates is really the perfect training for anyone with back problems. Pilates focuses on strengthening your core, which will in turn help you have better posture and to stand more correctly with a drum on.

And, it's pretty cheap to do. Despite what the workout tapes will tell you, you don't need a fancy yoga mat or anything. All you really need is a flat surface. You can pick up pilates tapes almost anywhere pretty cheaply. If you're still hanging on to the stone ages, you can probably pick up a VHS for like $2.

I really agree with what Sara said. Last summer when I was marching, I did yogalates... haha, yeah. I was carrying a 24 inch bass, so it wasn't killing my back anyway.

I survived.

It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Maybe I was just a vagina last year when I was marching snare =]

Quote:

---

I survived.

It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

---

You'll eventually build up a tolerance to the weight. I'm barely 5'3", and I march a 22". It was a lot at first, and I didn't think I could handle it, but it eventually became a lot easier. It probably wont ever stop hurting while you actually have the drum on, but at least you'll be able to walk with ease afterwards.