Cauda Equina Syndrome is a medical emergency or at the very least groin numbness in the perineum does require emergent follow up evaluation. There are symptoms that folks with lumbar injuries or degenerative conditions in the lower spine should be aware of and should be part of the knowledge base of older paddlers where lower back problems sometimes persist. Cheers, Doug >Doug, Why do you have to see a neurosurgeon if you have numb nuts? I know that men are often accused of using them to think, but.......... Cheers JKA< >>Duane, I know that when I did a lot of touring I'd have some pretty bad back pain at times, especially at the beginning of a longer trip or the first few trips of the "season" if I'd been off for the winter (used to have rotator cuff issues and there were years I'd back off winter paddling). Good abdominal strength through fitness cross training helped but I guess at some point there may be a negative cumulative toll with one's back. I rather think that slouching while long distance paddling must really compress the spine in bad ways and I'm sure I've been culpable of that in the past as I never used a back band. Probably proper fit and ergonomic outfitting of a sea kayak is more important than we think, as well as proper technique. The last few years of paddling I was using my arms more for propulsion than good torso rotation, but I was having bad back spasms, etc, and as I have strong arms got away with it. I wish I'd taken up yoga at least a decade ago or more. Anyway, degenerative changes and bad genetics sometimes mean one is so predisposed to problems that one just has to decide that they are willing to pay the price to enjoy activities maximally when they were able. My favorite quote lately goes something like this: "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy ****, what a ride!" Of course, my groin is numb and cold right now and I'm doped up on morphine as I await seeing a neurosurgeon and hopefully have a long way to go before the grave and some good kayaking years left, but in the mean time, just call me numb nuts! Whatever happens, you have been one of the reasons sea kayaking has been a blast in this era where kayaking has grown exponentially and is now fading a bit; with your awesome attitude, down-home dude desire to share information and foster friendships through cyber space, I'm glad you have been part of that fantastic experience Duane. Doug<< >Doug, I've been having my own back pain that I've had troubles shaking off the last couple of months and have been wondering myself how hard kayaking is on my back. I may have to resort to prone paddle boarding and build one with VCP hatches! Duane< *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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