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| "Health and Wellness at PASIC 2001" - an article by Dr. 'Dutch' Workman |
Health and
Wellness at
PASIC 2001
by Dr. 'Dutch' Workman
The PAS Health &
Wellness Committee is dedicated to providing drummers and percussionists
with enlightening information on injury prevention and healing, as well
as the effects of drumming on the wellness of musicians and listeners.
During each PASIC we sponsor workshops designed with audience participation
in mind. In addition, we provide booths that aid drummers and percussionists
in improving skills and maintaining health. Here's what we have planned
for PASIC 2001.
PANEL DISCUSSION ON INJURIES
Our trademark workshop is the panel
discussion on injury. Each year, we invite a group of influential drummers
and per-cussionists to discuss injuries and prevention. Past panel members
have included Vic Firth, Emil Richards, Brian Mason, John Bergamo, Ed
Soph, Michael Udow, and many more. This year's panel will include the
same level of players. They will answer questions, explain technique,
and demonstrate concepts on various instruments.
Health & Wellness Committee sub-chairs
will be present to add comments. They are also accomplished musicians
and include Dom Famularo, Kalani, Mike Udow, Joe Bergamini, and Terri
Haley. I will act as moderator and provide medical advice where needed.
We have always had excellent discussions filled with information as well
as humor. Each year is different, but entertaining, and audience participation
is always at a peak.
VIDEO TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS
Last year in Dallas we set up a booth
with instruments from various areas of percussion and drumming (drumset,
orchestral, marching, mallets, hand drumming, etc.) and videotaped anyone
who wanted to see themselves play. We let them review the tape with some
of the best teachers and players around, who offered suggestions for improvement,
answered injury and technique questions, and brought up good playing points.
This year, the booth will be open
on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in room 202, which
is just above the exhibit hall. The actual taping takes only five minutes,
and you are invited to spend as much time as you need to review your tape
and ask questions. If you desire to keep the tape, you can purchase it
for $5.00 (to cover the cost of replacing the tape).
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Darin "Dutch" Workman is a Doctor of Chiropractic
who works with performing and sports related injuries. He holds a
Bachelor of Human Biology degree and is a Certified Chiropractic Sports
Physician. Workman is the Chair of the PAS Health and Wellness committee
and is a member of the Performing Arts Medical Association (PAMA).
A drummer/percussionist of over, twenty-four years, he continues to
be active in performing and teaching. He can be reached by e-mail
at docworkman@juno.com |
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| This article appeared in 'Percussive Notes' magazine, October 2001 |
FREE HEARING TESTS
One of the most popular services the Health & Wellness Committee provided last year was a hearing-test booth. Hundreds of musicians had hearing tests performed free of charge in total anonymity. This year, the booth will be in room 203. Tests will be performed on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Participants are given a printout of their hearing-test results and educated on the ears and their hearing function. Many who were concerned that they had some hearing loss were pleasantly surprised to discover that they were fine!
DRUMMING AND WELLNESS
Each year we add a new workshop to our PASIC agenda. This year we have asked Robert Lawrence Friedman to discuss drumming and wellness. Friedman is author of The Healing Power of the Robert Lawrence Friedman Drum (found at www.wc-media.com), a psychotherapist, president of Stress Solutions, Inc. (www.stress-solutions.com), and sub-chair of Drumming and Wellness for the PAS Health & Wellness Committee. He has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, and most recently on the Discovery Health Channel sharing his philosophy of drumming and wellness.
Friedman will discuss how drumming is used as a therapy throughout the world in helping to improve health emo-tionally, spiritually, and physically. He will also discuss how drumming affects the body and mind. The audience members can participate in group drumming; you are encouraged to bring an instrument. This is a "do not miss" workshop that will be truly fun and enlightening. It will be in room 209 on Friday at noon.
HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION
If you have an interest in participating in the Health & Wellness Committee, please accept our invitation to attend one of our committee meetings. They will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday and Saturday in the Davidson B room.
We hope everyone has a great time at PASIC 2001. The Percussive Arts Society goes to great lengths to help drummers and percussionists be the very best that they can be through constant growth. We hope you will take advantage of as many of the events as possible.
