BamBam
New Member
We're on day 6 of the tour and I'm actually feeling pretty good. Normally I have some sort of plan/goal on tour to keep the pain at bay- tai chi, yoga, 15 minute walks, push ups, the Alexander Technique etc. Things that I'm learning would just reinforce the pain, so I've completely abandoned them and am focusing on connecting with my emotions, journaling and being easy with myself. I've practiced at least an hour the last 3 days, which has been impossible without pain for the last 2 years. It has been so great not being as tight as a spring that my natural habit is to instantly start worrying about the pain coming back, but I recognize this as another manifestation of the inner bully and TMS. I do have a coulple questions though-
1) Should I be warming up, stretching or trying to exercise? I am playing drums for 1-3 hours a night, not counting any practice time I put in (usually on a pad or my Knee vs. on an actual drumset). Along with that I'm spending 4-9 hours in a van on gig days. I feel like I associate these things with ways to prevent pain and therefore might just act to reinforce it instead. But, common sense tells me that bodies need some sort of movement besides hitting things with sticks.
2) Is it possible to use practicing as a way to repress emotions? My TMS manifested as physical pain at a time when I quit drinking and was practicing every day for at least an hour, but often for 6-7 hours a day. It was like I was possessed. The last 3 days of practicing have felt very similar. Almost like it's a distraction from the anxiety. I love it because I get so much better at my instrument, which is inspiring and rejuvenating in many ways. But, it can also become a pressure thing where I feel like I need to practice every day in order to be good. I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew before I'm ready. Thoughts?
1) Should I be warming up, stretching or trying to exercise? I am playing drums for 1-3 hours a night, not counting any practice time I put in (usually on a pad or my Knee vs. on an actual drumset). Along with that I'm spending 4-9 hours in a van on gig days. I feel like I associate these things with ways to prevent pain and therefore might just act to reinforce it instead. But, common sense tells me that bodies need some sort of movement besides hitting things with sticks.
2) Is it possible to use practicing as a way to repress emotions? My TMS manifested as physical pain at a time when I quit drinking and was practicing every day for at least an hour, but often for 6-7 hours a day. It was like I was possessed. The last 3 days of practicing have felt very similar. Almost like it's a distraction from the anxiety. I love it because I get so much better at my instrument, which is inspiring and rejuvenating in many ways. But, it can also become a pressure thing where I feel like I need to practice every day in order to be good. I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew before I'm ready. Thoughts?
