Phil Collins, former drummer for the band Genesis and one of the greatest drummers in the world by many accounts, will never drum again due to a spine injury, reported Britain’s Daily Mirror last week.
With a deep sadness, the 58-year-old rock star announced that he will no longer be able to play drums – but he assured fans that he’ll still be able to sing. His spine injury came about because of his posture while playing drums. Over 50 years of sitting behind a drum set, his vertebrae began to crush his spinal cord. The condition continued to deteriorate, and now Collins cannot even hold his drums sticks properly without feeling severe pain.
If you watch the video below, you’ll see that Collins is slouching somewhat compared to the other drummer, Chester Thompson. Thompson keeps his spine relatively straight and still, while Collins hunches over and, at times, bounces to the beat.
Keep in mind that Collins sat in the same position behind a drum set for hours at a time – probably several days a week – for over 50 years.
Does his posture remind you of anything – your posture at the computer, perhaps?
A spine injury may be caused by an accident, or it may have a non-accidental cause. In both cases, spine injuries can be extremely painful. Auto accidents, workplace accidents, and slips and falls commonly cause accidental spine injuries. Non-accidental spine injuries arise over time, usually through sitting or standing for long periods of time, poor posture, and/or repetitive motion.
Office workers, drivers, and assembly line workers are at high risk of spine injuries that develop over time. When I watched the video above, I made an effort to sit up straight. Phil Collins spent long hours behind the drum kit, and I spend long hours behind my desk. Fortunately, I don’t bounce up and down to a beat while I’m working, but I know that my spinal health is at risk if I sit in the same position for too long over the years.
If you work in an office, the best way to maintain your spinal health is to take regular breaks. At the very least, you should stand up and stretch for a few seconds every 20 minutes. If you’re like me, you get engrossed in your work and often sit in your chair for longer than 20 minutes. Set an alarm on your cell phone (or search for an internet alarm clock) to remind you to stand up and stretch. I have found that taking a brief stretch break every 20 or 30 minutes energizes me and increases productivity. And at the end of the day, my back is not stiff.
We often associate spine injuries with auto accidents, sports accidents, or slips and falls, but non-accidental spine injuries are just as devastating. Take care of your spine now, and your later years will be much more enjoyable.
If you have any questions about your legal rights pertaining to spine injuries, or if you need a Georgia spine injury lawyer, contact MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.