DJ
Health: Interview with Dr. Majera T. Majidi, D.C., CSCS (aka
DJ Maji) Part II
September
2002
This month's tip is
the second part of a two part interview with Dr. Majera T. Majidi,
who specializes in DJ health and conditioning. In the photo at
right, Dr. Majidi shows an exercise for the arm and shoulder.
Disc Jockey 101: Are there other doctors conducting
similar research on DJ's?
Dr. Majidi: Not to my knowledge. I haven't
really looked at anybody else's work.
Disc Jockey 101: So there hasn't been anything
published on this subject?
Dr. Majidi: Nothing like this has ever
been published - but in some of the DJ magazines that I've looked
at - there have been some related attempts. I've contacted a
few magazines, but their interest hasn't gone in that direction
yet.
Disc Jockey 101: How does a DJ improve his
or her posture?
Dr. Majidi: There are certain muscles
in the upper back that a DJ needs to strengthen because DJ's
rarely use those muscles. Everything that we do is forward. For
example, the turntable is lower - so the DJ needs to bend down
forward. We should be doing the opposite [not bending forward]
by strengthening the upper back. Otherwise, this causes misalignments
in the upper back. A DJ should exercise the upper back after
a gig, as well as stretch the pectoral [chest] muscles and forearm
muscles. A good pair of comfortable shoes is also important.
Disc Jockey 101: What are some of the other
health related hazards that DJ's face?
Dr. Majidi: Degenerative arthritis from
overuse/repetitive action - just like any athlete. There are
certain joints that we use more than others and they may wear
out. If a DJ lifts a lot of weight - like equipment at mobile
gigs or record cases - the DJ needs to avoid straining the back.
I think that everybody needs to watch the lower back because
we're always in the flex position. The flex position makes the
lower back vulnerable to problems.
We need to also watch
our hearing. DJ's are at risk for sinus problems. This is because
if you wear an earcup headphone a lot, the rate of bacterial
growth in the ear increases. Bacterial reproduction increases
by roughly 700 times per hour when the ears are covered.
Disc Jockey 101: Does that explain excessive
ear wax?
Dr. Majidi: A DJ develops a lot of ear
wax - which is a good thing. That's your body's immune system
trying to get rid of the bacteria. If the bacteria gets stored
in there, it can creep through the sinuses. I see a lot of DJ's
say "it's going to be hard to play this weekend." When
I ask them why, they say it's because their ears are all clogged
up. I'll ask the DJ's how long they wore their headphones without
taking them off; or whether they played in a moist environment;
was it hot; or whether they were sweating a lot? Usually, I discover
that they have a sinus infection. It's hard for DJ's to get rid
of sinus infections because we're always covering up our ears,
which gives the bacteria a reproductive environment.
Disc Jockey 101: What about working late into
the night?
Dr. Majidi: Our body rhythms are definitely
affected. The human body has a circadian rhythm and it is in
accordance with the sunrise. We're usually sleeping when the
sun's out. You need daylight for skin and eye health. Some DJ's
also suffer from lack of sleep or insomnia. Everyone should get
6 to 8 hours of sleep for optimal performance.
Disc Jockey 101: What vitamin and herbal supplements
do you recommend for DJ's?
Dr. Majidi: First, a lot of DJ's need
to drink water - especially if they're going to have a few cocktails
[dehydration]. The amount of calories that we're burning while
spinning is similar to a fine dexterity sport like ping pong.
I would say that a DJ typically burns between 160 to 200 calories
per hour depending on what the DJ's doing (scratching, mixing,
etc.), and the DJ's body system.
While everyone should
take a multi-vitamin, to enhance performance,
DJ's should take extra amounts of:
a)
Vitamin B Complex
- This is the most utilized vitamin by your nerves. Vitamin B
will improve your speed. You should be getting this is in your
multi-vitamin.
b)
Vitamin C (2000 mg per day)
- This is great for any athlete or active person.
c)
Vitamin B6 - A
higher daily dosage will help to reduce cramping during scratch
sessions because it helps to reduce swelling around the nerves.
d)
Calcium (1500 mg per day)
- Whenever a muscle contracts, it uses calcium. If you don't
have enough calcium stored in the muscle, once you've run out,
calcium is taken from other parts of the body. Scratch DJ's are
using a lot of calcium.
e)
Zinc - A strong
mineral to stimulate the immune system to help fight off bacterial
growth in the ears.
f)
Ginseng - For
competitive scratch-battle DJ's, it helps the nerve(s) flow into
the arms.
g)
Creatine - For
competitive scratch-battle DJ's, it provides fast/explosive energy
for quick sets (of one minute or less).
Disc Jockey 101: Do you notice a difference
between scratch-battle DJ's and beat-mix DJ's?
Dr. Majidi: A lot of the beat-mix DJ's
- especially the ones that produce music during the day - generally
don't get enough exercise and lead a very sedentary lifestyle.
On the other hand, scratch-DJ's are burning a lot of calories.
It's a different sport. This is based on my patient population
of DJ's.
Disc Jockey 101: Is the heart affected by
sound decibels?
Dr. Majidi: Yes, that's actually part
of a study that I proposed to Arizona State University's College
of Music. The study sought to discover how decibels, rhythm pattern
and tempo affect heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate,
and body temperature. The hypothesis seeks to prove that decibels
and rhythms actually affect the body. However, the person's activity
is going to affect the heart more than decibels (such as jumping
around). Loud music is a stimulant to your nervous system - although
I doubt that someone that's bothered by loud music is working
as a DJ. You're also working in an environment where you may
be exposed to second hand cigarette smoke.
Dr. Majidi is a
scheduled guest speaker at Rob Wegner's Club DJ Class at Scottsdale
Community College during the Fall 2002 semester.
Related Links
DJ
Maji
Dr.
Majidi's Website
Nature's
Core (Dr. Majidi's Vitamin Supplements)
Nerve Compression Upper Limb
Industry Notes
* DJ Educator Stephen Webber,
author of the December
2001 Tip of the Month, is featured in the August 2002 issue
of DJ Times.
Mr. Webber is currently collaborating with DJ
Radar on a book about scratch notation. DJ Radar will be
performing with Rual Yanez (Concerto for Turntable) at the Rhythm
Room in Phoenix, Arizona on September 12, 2002.
* The 33rd Nightclub
& Bar Convention and Trade Show will take place in New
Orleans at the Morial Convention Center November 4-6, 2002. The
show will include seminars
on music and promotions, as well as a 'Bourbon Street Block
Party' featuring seven venues.
* Disc Jockey 101 Nightclub
of the Year 2002 is Olivia
Valere (Marbella, Spain). From royalty to supermodels, this
is one of the world's most exclusive nightclubs. Last year's
pick: Privilege
(Ibiza, Spain) - world's largest nightclub.
* Rob Wegner's "Club DJ
Class" at Scottsdale Community College (Scottsdale, Arizona)
begins September 23, 2002. The scheduled speaker schedule includes:
Dave Rajput (co-founder Hot
Mix Radio Network, Billboard), Randy Feldman (Sanctuary,
Scorch), Dr. Majera T. Majidi (aka DJ Maji), Rod Carrillo (Billboard),
and DJ John (Buzz Nightclub), Enrollment is limited.
* Fritz Lang's 1927 Science
Fiction masterpiece, Metropolis, has been digitally re-mastered
and is touring selected US theaters to commemorate the 75th anniversary
of its release. This film has not only influenced many movie
directors, artists and social thinkers, but has also influenced
many nightclub designers - particularly the industrial and/or
underground look. "Metropolis" is also a popular nightclub
name (just type a search for "Metropolis, Nightclub").
Click
Here to view movie trailers and/or tour dates.
