[Gocamino] Robert's back pain

[deb berman]

Hi Robert,
I hope your back problem clears up soon. What an inconvenient time for something like that to crop up. After the previous knee thing, this may serve as a warning to be mindful of taking good care of your back while you travel, which I'm sure you have realized already. Those stretching exercises you mentioned are a great idea, as well as Susan's description of good body mechanics. Also, being careful when putting on and taking off your pack---try to avoid a twisting motion when lifting the pack up or down to put it on-- if you can set the pack on a surface (a table, chair or bed or a half wall) and back directly into the straps, pull the pack toward you and then stand up---much easier on the back than lifting the pack with one hand and swinging it around. Same thing in reverse for removal. This strategy may be helpful depending upon the nature of your back problem, but it sure saved a lot of wear and tear on my (aged, scoliosis-ridden) spine and spared me some pain and misery.
As you mentioned, the sitting and the long plane ride may be the most difficult part, but then you'll BE THERE--lucky you!
Best wishes for your good health and Buen Camino,
Deborah

> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:15:59 -0700
> From: backpack45 at yahoo.com
> To: gocamino at oakapple.net
> Subject: [Gocamino] Robert's back pain
> 
> 
> Hi Robert,
> For one who suffers from back problems from time to time, I understand how uncertain you are feeling. 
> 
> There is no doubt in my mind that stress adds to the situation. I've been slated to go on several trips over the years where the back problem came up just before the hike/snowshoeing adventure. My chiropractor has worked miracles more than once enabling me to forge ahead every time.
> 
> What I have found is that those back twinges serve as a warning sign that something is out of alignment (or whatever), and they take some time to recover; for me it's usually a 3-10 days process. Basically (in non-med terms because I'm not a doctor) there's an inflammation that's occurred that needs time to heal--so it is important during that recovery process to ease up and use good body mechanics: ((1) not over-reaching to grab something from the top shelf (2) bending your knees when lifting objects rather than bending over from the waist.
> 
> When you are driving or flying, get out of your seat and stretch at least once an hour. I have found Motrin to be quite effective at relieving pain and inflammation--also icing (some people like warm compresses) and Tiger Balm can help (although Tiger Balm smells really weird so you might not want to wear it on the airplane). 
> 
> Hiking (according to my chiropractor, my doctor, and me) is probably the best thing you can do for your back. It sounds like you have reduced your pack's weight so I don't have to mention the importance of doing so. Good luck to you!
> Buen Camino,
> Susan Alcorn
> 
> Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA 
> www.backpack45.com and backpack45.blogspot.com
> Publishers of two award-winning books: Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago and We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.
> 
> 
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