I searched the site and I couldn't find any posts on this so here goes.

I marched bass 1 this year and halfway through the season my doctor noticed my rib cage stuck out on one side. So he made me bend over and he noticed an extreme curve in my spine. Turns out its about 40 degrees curved. Thats pretty bad. I finished the season and got a back brace that I wear at home. I didn't get the scoliosis from carrying the drum, but it could make it worse. The good part is you can't tell it's curved unless I'm sitting or bending over.

My point is, I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing any back problems and what you guys do about it and if you got it from carrying the drum. If you feel like saying any other problems you acquired from playing bass, do tell. I'm curious what everyone else is going through.

Ever since I started playing bass, I've had really bad back pains, but it's a sacrifice I learn to live with. Bengay icy hot patches are my best friend during marching season. It really helps ease the pain.

Another thing I like is when one of my friends steps on my back and cracks it. It really gets the kinks out. But make sure you have a kinda light person so you don't end up hurting yourserlf, of course.

Just things like that along with simple back massages help.

We have some crazy good back massagers in our band. We get these huge trains... I had problems in pit when I played vibe. but that was a combination of the pedal being too high and our instructor duct taping my foot to it. and the carring around of huge speakers. The drums really aren't too bad besides the fact that the carry digs into my shoulder blades. But i'm not complaining.

Thats wierd, our tenors have back problems, but i've carried the 5th bass for 3 years and have never had any serious pain. and i'm anything but musculuar

Luckily, i've never had any more that the regular back-ache when first starting to carry a drum for a long time again....

And since you ask about any other problems...

This summer held lots of health problems for me, first it started with bronchitis during everydays, which is never easy to recover from, and then once that was gone, i was just vomiting a whole lot. It got to the point where i puked every single day, and i believe the day before semifinals i actually puked like 15 times that one day. It was rediculous, but i couldn't take any time to try and recover or anything, as part of a deal i made. Well, it turns out time to recover wouldn't have helped anything, because the problem turned out to be that i have a hernia near my small intestine, which basically put my intestines in the wrong place, and with a drum on, it completely cut off the flow to my stomach. It could've gotten VERY serious, and it came incredibly close, with me going to the hospital 2 times.... but thankfully i'm okay, and now all i need is a bit of surgery before everythings okay again.

Aww man thats terrible. I hope the surgery goes well. =]

Do those bengay things stick to you?

I've had back problems marching Tenors so far and it has made my scoliosis worse for my spine towards the top, but I've just stopped caring about it. I suck it up and quit complaining. We also got some great new harnesses and I kept mine loose so I can adjust it on the spot. hehehe

Yes, the Bengay patches stick to you. You gotta make sure to really press down so they stay. They work wonders, I promise.

I know that having really good posture while carrying the drum. If you lean over a lot, or lean to a side, i know that that is really bad for your back. Its the same for anybody who carries a drum. You need to fill the carrier as best as possible with your chest and back and then make sure that you stand up straight it may suck for a little while but it is a lot better for you and it will actually develop your muscles in your shoulders and back a lot better. I marched bass for two years and whenever I started to have bad posture I had to force myself to stand up straight. But if you already have back problems like scholiosis then you might what to consider a different instrument if it is causing you serious health problems and I know that sucks but you are young and your health is more important.