John Gamel asked I'm wondering if some of readers of the list have had some experience with the problem of leg circulation while paddling.... We have found over the years that many people who think they have problems due to sitting still or having an "uncomfortable" seat actually have a very different problem. When we slouch we let our pelvis go flat so that the connection with the lower spine becomes a tight turn constricting nerves, etc. This leads to feelings of general leg pain and pins and needles which become alleviated by stretching, etc and are thus often misdiagnosed as a seat that pinches nerves, etc or not moving the limbs. This also leads to long term back injury! - long term lower back injury is the most common reason recreational paddlers leave our sport The solution; Firstly your seat must be higher than your feet - yes this does make things less stable but tough) a minimum of 5 cm is absolutely essential, 10 is much better. Secondly the base of your seat should rise as it goes aft (most seats have a dip in the middle which unfortunately reinforces slouching) Finally you need to make a deliberate action of tilting your pelvis up as you first sit in your kayak and each time you start paddling again after a break. Tight hamstrings will gradually pull the pelvis flat - work on stretching your hamstrings as part of your paddling routine - also make a habit of regularly kissing your fore deck to stretch things out as you paddle. How do you know if this is a problem? If you can tilt your pelvis up whilst sitting in the "normal" paddling position then yes you have an aft tilted pelvis and should do something to help yourself. Secondly to test it on the water, when you get a feeling of leg pain or pins and needles, etc. Lean forward and kiss the deck, specifically stretching the hamstrings for at least 10 seconds then sit back upright making sure to give the pelvis a quick jiggle and straighten. There should be immediate relief Happy paddling Ian Dewey Manager - Education and Development Australian Canoeing PO Box 666 Glebe NSW 2037 (02) 9552 4500 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 25 2005 - 18:23:18 PDT
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