Research on The Prevalence of Common Musculoskeletal Pain Faced by Drummers in Lahore

Playing an instrument of music is a prominent job between the complex function that a human body can perform with the muscles, joints and nerves respectively. The job of professional musical performer leaves them unprotected to a collection of physical and psychological dangers which have been associated with the presence of musculoskeletal problems in other professions. Considering however about the load, arrangements and cause of musculoskeletal discomfort in the representatives of experienced bands is insufficient. A few examinations have expressed that playing-related musculoskeletal complaints show a notable health issues for instrumentalists.

Job linked musculoskeletal problems produce discomfort, impairment and loss of work for large number of laborers as well as artists. Even though performing arts medicine is a developing department but the medical issues of artists stay under perceived and underexplored. Most expert classic artists will face a musculoskeletal issue during their professional career at some point. 12% of artists have been noted to quit their employment forever. This fact has been labeled as playing-related musculoskeletal disorder with an occurrence rate in artists ranging in the middle of 60% and 80%. Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders comprises of non-particular muscle and tendon conditions that are identified into inflammatory clusters of the tendon, tendon sheaths impingement of peripheral nerves in different areas. The variety in occurrence is linked to the kind of instrument performed.

Performing drums needs effort, quick and exceptionally repeated demonstrations. Hazard factors for drumming related musculoskeletal disorders involve great rhythm, power as well as other factors such as vibration. Drumming is an exceptionally requesting and compelling action needing a huge number of muscle conditioning, capacity, energy and coordination. For growing into an incredible artist, a person should practice for extended periods of time playing out the exact constant work again and again to build up the important and vital muscle memory to perform every day. The most widely recognized trauma for drummers are musculoskeletal disorders provoked by repeated use of muscles, tendon and joints at short intervals which apply burden to the soft tissues of body. Uncomfortable posture also plays an important part in these hazard factors. Weakened level of working at both work and everyday tasks at home because of these musculoskeletal issues is noted majorly and sleep disorders identified with these complaints are expressed in half of the expert artists.

Reviews of performing artists show that half of them come across playing-related medical problems, some of which endangered or finished their professional careers. Exaggerated injuries including the muscle-tendon unit are the most widely recognized issue with side effects comprising from mild pain while the artist is playing to pain extreme enough to prevent any usage of the involved hand. Normal musculoskeletal problem of artists consists of musculotendinous overuse, tendinitis, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve impingement syndromes. These issues ordinarily influence the neck, back, upper extremities and facial musculature of artist. A few investigations show that percussionists are also at higher danger for playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in relation to some other instrument groups.

The purpose of this research is to find out the prevalence of common musculoskeletal pain faced by drummers in Lahore. As of now, physiotherapy is an under developing field and its importance is not realized much in our country. This research might help us to elaborate the importance of physical therapy in relieving the effects of different types of musculoskeletal disorders.

A cross-sectional study survey was undertaken which showed the prevalence of common musculoskeletal pain faced by drummers in Lahore was 87 (44. 8%) among all the sample size collected (n=194). In this study, 194 male drummers took part. In this study, 56 participants (28. 9%) complained of neck pain/discomfort while 138 participants (71. 1%) did not complain of any neck pain/discomfort during last 12 months. In this study, 21 participants (10. 8%) said that neck pain had prevented them from work.

Discussion

The fundamental discoveries of this investigation were the specific high commonness of musculoskeletal side effects in the neck, back among drummers. In some cases, pain was disabling. Playing drums is an exceptionally physical type of skill since it requires the usage of the two hands and feet. The main reasons for torment in drummers are poor body posture, prolonged standing, long working hours and repeated movements of body. Overuse syndrome possibly happens because of strange weight on musculoskeletal tissue, particularly when drummers do same repeated and strenuous movements and performing too much.

Numerous drummers play a solitary bass drum and have it situated right on target. A drummer should adjust himself to only the bass drum. It is critical to have the correct leg in line with the bass drum and the pedal. Also drummers focus themselves more to one side, which can make an extending and pulling power on the body. The heaviness of the instrument may create ergonomic issues identified with both the static and the dynamic loading applied on the musculoskeletal framework.

This study showed that drummers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal pain. Some drummers had left their profession because the pain was so intense that they could not work properly. They had to suffer in their personal lives as well. Drummers should be made aware of these potential dangers that they face. Postural awareness is very important for such artists. Apart from these dangers, there are environmental hazards such as tobacco, smoke and noise. Some musicians actually accept the musculoskeletal pain as a necessary and normal side effect of practice.

Conclusion

The study concluded that out of the total sample size of 194 drummers, 87 drummers (44. 8%) were having musculoskeletal pain which was due to bad posture and repeated movements during their work.

Recommendations

It is recommended that further studies should be carried out on provincial and national level to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in drummers. A large number of populations should be included. Further studies should include other musicians as well. Working hours should be decreased.