In a recent interview, Mike Portnoy, the iconic drummer of Dream Theater, shared insights into the physical challenges he’s faced after decades of high-intensity performances. As he approaches 58, Portnoy’s reflections provide an honest look at the wear and tear caused by years of relentless touring and playing demanding music for hours at a time.
When asked how he has managed the physical pain associated with drumming for so many years, Portnoy didn’t shy away from discussing the long-term effects. “For me, it’s been accumulating through the years,” he explained. “I’m gonna be 58, and it definitely takes its toll playing a three-hour show of such demanding music. Dream Theater plays three hours, so it’s a lot for the body to handle.”
Portnoy went on to recall the early signs of his physical struggles, mentioning that tendonitis started to affect him in his thirties. Reflecting on a time when he was dealing with this issue, he said, “If you look at the Dream Theater ‘Live At Budokan’ DVD, I had a brace on my right elbow. I was really starting to get tendonitis problems then, and that was over 20 years ago. So I was in my thirties when this all started.” To manage the pain, Portnoy began regular massage therapy, using the services of masseuses both on the road and at home.
He also emphasized the role of chiropractic care in managing his body’s wear and tear. Portnoy shared a particularly vivid memory from the Awake tour, where a sudden back issue nearly derailed a performance: “We were in Toronto, and all of a sudden my back just cramped up, and I couldn’t move. So in between songs, we had to ask if there was a chiropractor in the house, and we literally stopped the show for 15 minutes for a chiropractor to come snap me back into place.”
Despite these challenges, Portnoy emphasized the importance of proper warm-up routines before shows. “As I said, I’m gonna be 58, and I try to warm up as best I can before a show,” he said. “Usually, about a half hour before showtime, I have a practice pad kit in the dressing room. I don’t have any specific routines — I’m not like a rudiment type of player — but I’ll just get singles and doubles going, just to get the blood flowing and get the muscles warmed up, trying not to go on stage cold.”
Dream Theater, now reinvigorated with the release of their celebrated Parasomnia album, has been on tour since last October, marking the band’s 40th anniversary. Their North American tour, An Evening With Dream Theater, kicked off on February 7 at The Met in Philadelphia and will wrap up on March 22 in New York City. This tour also marks the first time since Mike Portnoy rejoined the band alongside John Petrucci, James LaBrie, John Myung, and Jordan Rudess.
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