RE: [Paddlewise] Back-talk

Hi Doug,

Sorry to hear about your back.  I can relate I have had back and neck pain
all my life.


> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Doug Lloyd> I
tried 6 weeks of chiropractic care and warm baths/light
> stretching on his
> advice. I finally told my chiro guy to blow it out his ear, and
> went to ice
> and anti-inflammatories, keeping up the stretching. That is
> working. Bought
> an expensive mattress too (now gearing up to make a turned,
> four-poster bed).

Wow, I'm really surprised the Chiro wasn't recommending ice at first and
then later in your recovery heat or alternating.  Might want to see another
back cracker.  Unfortunately my experience has been that time is the
greatest factor in the healing process.  The last time I really screwed up
my neck it was troublesome for almost a year.  I did find that a new
mattress and pillow helped with my troubles, especially my neck and shoulder
joints.


>
> Has anyone else out in PW land dealt with lower back pain (the kind where
> it hurts to stand, and you need to sit down every few minutes)? Any other
> ideas for recovery?
> Also, anyone had trip-onset back pain on a multi-day excursion, and what
> did you do about it?

I was getting ready to leave for a tour I was leading 2 years ago and was
putting my paddle into the van when suddenly my whole middle and upper back
went into spasm.  It was unreal, I had a hard time breathing and all I could
do was lay on the lawn and wait for it to let up enough that I could get a
full breath again.  It let up enough to breathe but I was in severe pain,
you know the kind where it's hard to speak because your teeth are clenched
and your eyes are involuntarily watering.

I had a tour that was expecting me to show up 2 hours south of my home (I
had all of the boats) so I felt I had no choice but to go.  I popped some
anti-inflams and got a tennis ball and by placing the tennis ball between my
back and the seat and doing self massage I was able to reduce the pain to a
less than screaming level.  Driving down I thought that I would have to tell
my assistant who was meeting me there that she would have to lead the tour
herself that I was headed for the Doc's.  After arriving and performing some
gentle stretching and taking more meds I decided that I would be able to
paddle (the trip was in a location where stopping and walking out  was an
option).  I was really stiff in the boat but by about noon the pain had
abated considerably.

I have had my back and neck misbehave on longer trips and I have always
medicated and carried on.  I do have concerns and I would now think twice
about long true wilderness trips in exposed conditions.  This really isn't a
problem for me anymore because I don't have the time to do this kind of
tripping anyhow.

I have little help to offer other than to say that my injuries are less
likely to rear their ugly heads when I am at a good weight and doing lots of
daily stretching and getting regular exercise, mainntaining proper
hydration, and keeping stress at a manageable level.

The only other tip I would offer is to use four people to a boat when moving
heavy kayaks.

Just wanted to say that I know where you're at, I know it stinks, and I hope
you're felling better soon.

Cheers,

--
Rob Cookson
		3 Hats Design
		INTERNET  PRINT  ILLUSTRATION
		5201 15 Ave NW
		Suite 220
		Seattle, WA 98107
		206.851.8202 direct line
		206.784.1641 main office phone
		206.784.2231 main office fax
		mailto:rob_at_3hats.com
		http://www.3hats.com


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************