Back problems

[ollster]

I got a cheaper fire starter on ebay $ 3.95 delivered and it is Bigger than his that you are most welcome to borrow

I imagine Bear would be a tad surprised if ILUV went along with him and started pulling one man tents out of his daypack...

[corvus]

Oops just realised that for us back impaired it will be on the heavy side fire starter that is

[Nuts]

..

[Liamy77]

maybe he really just films the "night stuff" on his pee trip to the dunny.... from the RV
...... but I'm sure the "head scout" would be more honorable than that

[ILUVSWTAS]

A bit of "later down the track" thought - recheck the fit and positioning of the frame of your pack - it may be better taking more weight on the hips than on the shoulders as that is going to place less load on L5 S1.

Good thought, but mine sits well on the hips (I usually get rub marks on each side after a few days walking) and I've never had any issues carrying loads with it. My only real problem is hoiking up a 25kg pack and throwing it on my back rather ungracefully. I think I'll try and stop that...

I did notice actually Oll on our last day trips, you wernt doing the hip belt up?? I know it's only a small pack but with all the weight on your shoulders.........

[ollster]

I did notice actually Oll on our last day trips, you wernt doing the hip belt up?? I know it's only a small pack but with all the weight on your shoulders.........

It was a day pack... with a grand total of about 3kgs of gear in it.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I did notice actually Oll on our last day trips, you wernt doing the hip belt up?? I know it's only a small pack but with all the weight on your shoulders.........

It was a day pack... with a grand total of about 3kgs of gear in it.

still, It doesnt matter. If you REALLY want to take good care of your back you will do ANYTHING you can to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

well I do at any rate.

[ollster]

still, It doesnt matter. If you REALLY want to take good care of your back you will do ANYTHING you can to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

well I do at any rate.

This thread should be retitled "my hip feels like a 150kg man did a knee drop onto it"

[ILUVSWTAS]

Ankles, Knees.... back... now hip.... Make your mind up old fella!! Maybe we hsould just bury you now???

[ollster]

Ankles, Knees.... back... now hip.... Make your mind up old fella!! Maybe we hsould just bury you now???

You forgot left wrist and both elbows from climbing... and left shoulder from MTB accident... apart from that I'm in great shape! Never felt better!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Oh yeh forgot about that...

ah well mate it's been nice knowing you!!

[Liamy77]

what's your problem ollster? that still leaves you 1 fore-arm ands your neck.... geeez!
lol

memories of monty python "i'll bite ya kneecaps off - i'm not finished yet...."

[ILUVSWTAS]

memories of monty python "i'll bite ya kneecaps off - i'm not finished yet...."

It's just a flesh wound.......

[stepbystep]

Oll, I have had back and neck probs for years, I've found a few things help.

1/Strengthen the core muscles that run around your stomach via specific exercises your physio should give you.
2/I lost 10-15kg and improved general fitness, made a massive difference.
3/Stay aware of the issue when bending/lifting, especially when cold or early in the morning before muscles have warmed up.

Good luck dude, it's a crippling condition that never fully goes away.

[ollster]

Well, second trip to the physio today, after doing my exercises all week. Things seem to be coming along. We managed to get better extension out of my leg before pain. I can also more consistently tie my shoelaces with my legs crossed over (this was my progress test, previously it was either only just possible, or too painful to cross my left leg over far enough). She did a bit of manipulation work on my back as well, and that relieved quite a bit of the pressure.

I've been instructed that long walks are a good idea (just not strenuous uphills!) so I'll try and get out on the weekend.

Most notably, this morning was the first one since I think Sat where I've woken up to my alarm at 7am, rather than the aching in my leg waking me up at 5am!

[flyfisher]

Love to be able to sleep to 7am

[ollster]

Love to be able to sleep to 7am

Those fish get up early, eh? Maybe I should have said "got my regular sleep, rather than less 2 hours"

[ILUVSWTAS]

Love to be able to sleep to 7am

Ditto.
I notice your usually one of the first on this site of a morning FF, not long after me...

[ollster]

Love to be able to sleep to 7am

Ditto.
I notice your usually one of the first on this site of a morning FF, not long after me...

Do the night sweats from your bushwalk.com addiction wake you up?

[Liamy77]

do you get em too huh?
ollster
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Posts: 1265

[ollster]

do you get em too huh?
ollster
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Posts: 1265

Hmmm... posts that were useful, meaningful or helpful could be counted on one had though...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Having a kid and 2 past jobs requiring 5am starts do it for me.

[flyfisher]

I notice your usually one of the first on this site of a morning FF, not long after me

Do the night sweats from your bushwalk.com addiction wake you up?

Hey, are you blokes ganging up on me, eh !

Starting work at 7.30 needs early wakening, sets the body clock.

Did manage a sleep in till 7oçlock this am though.

[ninjapuppet]

Sleep in at 7am? That's around about my bed time

[ollster]

N-e-way... just as a update to this thread:

After a week of regular stretching and core strength exercises, combined with taking Voltarin 12.5mg tablets twice a day (2 with breakfast, 1 with dinner), the vast majority of pain had gone and I could walk around with pretty much full control of my wobbly leg. The inflammation in my back was gone.

Another week on, continuing exercises, but weaning off the Voltarin, I had a physio session last Friday and my physio gave me the big tick, so I'm more or less all better and in only 3.5 weeks rather than the originally predicted 6 weeks. There are some issues remaining such as some stiffness in my hip and numbness in my big toe, but those will go with time. I've been basically told to get back into it (regular exercise) but just to build up gradually.

It's quite a relief, and I've been very careful to lift and bend properly and will be making an effort to properly warm up/down with activity. Lesson learned!

[Nuts]

Ahhh, you will have to start back with Flyfisher and the strollers mob, seeing as their walks are far easier lol

[ollster]

Ahhh, you will have to start back with Flyfisher and the strollers mob, seeing as their walks are far easier lol

Will be celebrating with a nice easy 2 night stroll with the missus somewhere for the long weekend, probably of the Ironstone/Arm River/Ben plateau variety. Suggestions for recovering cripples are welcome.

[flyfisher]

Good onya, glad to see you back on deck and making good progress.

[MartyGwynne]

Mmm good to hear the back is allowing your safe return to walking.
I have been off the tracks for about 3 years now and am getting anxious to return asap from bulging a disc in my back (the morning of a 2 week Bibbulmum track walk). Yee ouch so much pain so so ....
Still dodgey back pain all of the time but have now purchased light weight gear (4.5 kgs just by the way of new tent and pack) and am up to do the great ocean walk in the Otways soon. I have been able to ride a bike and love to do lots of paddling in East Gippsland so am now wanting to do a walk.
OK, I only like to do long walks of at least a week or so. I should try a smaller one but am confident to do the long stretch.
I have worn breathing apperatus (about 12 kgs) at work + training etc a fair bit over the last 2 years so can manage the pack weight.
Treatments have been lots of Chiro and Physio visits, Shopped around and found ones which work for me. Walking is the only relief I do get but sitting all day/nights at work are just a plain pain in the back for me.
Got off the drugs asap, still have a good supply of some really good ones... He he he.
By the way I bulged the bottom disc straight out not to the side as what gives the leg pains sciatica etc. Just have a pain in the back most of the time.
I have now given up running and jumping and over stretching my steps. Now only small steps are best.
Marty.

[Jellybean]

N-e-way... just as a update to this thread:

After a week of regular stretching and core strength exercises, combined with taking Voltarin 12.5mg tablets twice a day (2 with breakfast, 1 with dinner), the vast majority of pain had gone and I could walk around with pretty much full control of my wobbly leg. The inflammation in my back was gone.

Another week on, continuing exercises, but weaning off the Voltarin, I had a physio session last Friday and my physio gave me the big tick, so I'm more or less all better and in only 3.5 weeks rather than the originally predicted 6 weeks. There are some issues remaining such as some stiffness in my hip and numbness in my big toe, but those will go with time. I've been basically told to get back into it (regular exercise) but just to build up gradually.

It's quite a relief, and I've been very careful to lift and bend properly and will be making an effort to properly warm up/down with activity. Lesson learned!

Good work Ollster, the most important thing now is to continue the stretching and core strength work and always be aware of your posture when doing anything (sitting, standing as well as lifting) so that you can stay pain free. It's really easy once you starting feeling better to neglect that (believe me, I've been a culprit). Make it part of your daily routine so that it becomes a good habit.

N.B. Any numbness, tingling, or "lack of control" that persists should be investigated further. I'd (I'm not a medico but have visited plenty in my time and work in high performance sport) recommend seeing a good sports physician who has a special interest in backs in this event. This generally requires a gp referral these days but is well worth it (and do your own homework re a good sports physician, gp's won't necessarily know).

Cheers,

JB