DRUMMER CAFE

I am not a Dr. but I think you should not be having this pain at your age.  I would suggest getting another opinion or 2...even 3 if things continue.  I'm assuming you've had X-rays? You may need to go further with other diagnostics.  Have you had an MRI?  Any previous injuries to this area, even if they were many years ago?

 

I suggest a physical/occupational therapist. You can have a discussion of what major activities you do and (s)he should watch you doing/simulating them and/or at photos/videos while doing said activities. You may need to get your regular Doc to write you a prescription.

Your pain can come from other ergonomic issues rather then just drumming. Pain (neck, back, forearm, etc.) can be a culmination of issues and not specifically the playing, lifting, bending, or whatever is being done at the onset.

It could be as simple as getting some orthopedic shoes and altering the way you left/carry things. Or it could be more. Don't wait until the pain is worse. Don't downplay the amount of pain you are in. Don't feel like you should be able to handle(suffer through) it. Do keep pressing the issue until you are satisfied with the result. Be the squeaky wheel.   

Ross

edit: Do try to find a non-drug solution first.

You can try popping the glucosamine tabs.  I think it helps.

But yeah, some days I just hurt.

1) I strongly recommend that you do some serious stretching.  This means, get a system from a therapist or take some classes. There are wrong ways to stretch. 

2) Also, I don't think it's been mentioned but if you are overweight, loose it!!!  Sorry if it's a sensitive subject but it's PHYSICS 101.  Even a few excess pounds will have a huge effect when you consider the repetitive motion that drummers put their joints through.  Do the math, if you sit and hit 1 & 3 every bar for a 4 minute song at 120 BPM, how many times do you stress the hip joint (assuming heal up bass playing). 

Force = mass X acceleration (change of motion) and
....  Energy expended = Force x distance so
...............Energy = mass x acceleration x distance. 

Reduce the mass (your weight), reduce the distance your leg travels (positioning and technique) and you will dramatically reduce the amount of stress on the joints, the amount of energy needed to play, etc..   Playing drums is like backpacking - if you've ever done a long hike, you know how much the extra little things you like to carry become a burden.  All this stress adds up over time and the impact is cumulative. 

Good luck with it. Hope you get some relief.

I've found one stretch that's great for preventing lower back and hip pain, and increasing range of motion. It's also good for sciatica.  I couldn't find anything online about it, so I'll try to describe it.

Despite how it sounds, it's actually a slow, leisurely exercise that doesn't require any real exertion.  Just go slow and don't push.  It shouldn't hurt.  It's a lot better to do this once, holding the pose for a while, than to do it quickly, over and over again.

Lie on your back.  Keep your shoulders on the ground.  Bend your right knee. Slowly twist your abdomen and bring your right knee over to your left side.  The goal is to touch your right knee to the ground on your left side while still keeping your shoulders on the ground.  Then do the opposite side.

It's important to keep your shoulders flat until you can easily touch the ground with your knee.

Once you can touch the ground with your knee, the next step is to to extend your left arm and try to touch the ground on your right side, beside your shoulder, while keeping your knee grounded on the opposite side. 

For the full stretch, you're on your back, your right knee is touching the floor on your left side, your left hand is touching the floor on your right side, and you're facing right.  Then do  the opposite side.

I got that stretch from an issue of "Men's Health", where it was called "The Pretzel".  Aptly named.