Back problems on the trail.

“Do any of you experience back problems on the trail and what do you do to ease the problem? One and a half weeks ago I hurt my lower back. I pulled a muscle or something. It is still giving me problems, particularly in the morning. I'm convinced that if my abdomen muscles were in shape, I would be fine right now. I've been taking lots of ibuprofen, stretching and doing sit ups to strengthen my stomach muscles.

Once I loosen up, I can still do everything with just a little discomfort. I've been steamcleaning carpets at my sister's business and washing walls and cealings, so I'm certain I'm up for my packpacking trip planned for the coming weekend. I'm curious as to what others do to ease the pain and keep from making the situation worse.”

“i wa hit by a drunk driver, about 7 years ago. i had chronic back problems, until i started backpacking.

bizarre, huh?”

“My simple rule is:

If the pain is caused by an injury, don't take pain killers so you can do stuff, because you could make the injury worse.

So when in the back country, if the pain gets too bad to move on, you know to stop and let some healing happen before it's too late and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere.”

“boo!”

“One word! FLEXORIL”

“Back country.......back pain?”

“Get a nice professional back massage before you go hiking. I was rear ended by a semi 6 years ago and had some mjor back problems. Your muscles tighten around the injured area to protect it. By getting a massage, you loosen the muscles up, and experience less pain. I bring badger sore muscle rub with me to help sooth the soreness. Good luck!”

“I was rear ended, Spent 3 years in therapy. The only thing to fix the pain permentaly is to slowly strengthen the muscles. But you should be talking to a doctor if it persists.

I have to do back extentions, started with no weights and I'm up to 25lbs. I work my abs and I stretch - alot! This and yoga works for me.

Yoga is wonderful for strengthening/ stretching.”

“I had lower back pain this past winter. I think from skiing too many bumps at Red Lodge. Went to a chiroparactor, but that didn't fix all. Fixed some, but not all. Had an MRI of the lower lumbar and it revealed 1 herniated, and 3 bulging disks. Went to a surgeon and did a steroid med pac for a week, along with Vioxx for about three weeks. Was also doing 15-20 advil a day. Finally agreed to a epidural steroid injection. It reduced the sweling in the nerves and the back feels great right now. Been doing a lot of golfing.

Bad side of all this, Chiro $250, MRI $1250, X-rays $250, Doctors visits $120/per times three, Edidurals $1200/per times two, insurance not paying, priceless.”

“I have two bulged disks in my lower back that press on my siatic (sp) nerve. I'll be having surgury sometime this fall. Walking, running, backpacking,exersize, and weightlifting actually seems to help. Sitting is the killer. A lot of days I drive 120+ miles and can barely walk when I get home. I can run 5 miles and not even feel it. On backpacking trips (5 since the first of the year), I have very little pain. Even sleeping on the ground is not bad.

Anyway, a little pain is no reason to stop. You are gonna hurt at home you may as well hurt on the trail.

Also, ibuprofin it reduces swelling and pain but inhibits healing. And, I agree with ghost in allowing your pain to regulate your activities.”

“I've found that backpacking isn't hard on my back (except once when I carried 11 days of food)... back problems mostly flare up at other times. The key for me, whether backpacking or not, has been to a) stretch out a lot especially to keep my upper thighs and butt stretched, b) keep my abs strong. c) use flexoril and/or pain killers when I'm sleeping or lying down - just regular dose ibuprofen or aspirin when moving.”

“Daily exercise, stretching and massages (if'n I can get one).

I feel fortunate for my good health!”

“Rest and heal it, first. Then exercise and stretch it. Strengthening your abs is definitely good.

Like radagast, backpacking has improved mine. Either that, or the two years I shared a place with a chiropractor.”

“BS, How does Ibuprophen inhibit healing?

I have had back problems since I was in my twenties. Ice and Ibuprophen have worked better than the week I spent in the hospital taking morphine and physical therapy.”

“I'm with Ghost - I usually just listen to my body. If my back is sore then I know it is time to start unloading some gear into my partner's pack! heheheh

As far as pre-planning and prevention of back problems goes, I make sure I pack a bottle of lotion and take along a partner with good hands. schhwiiiiinng!
>:D”