Posted: 5/25/2009 5:50:45 PM EDT
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I've been having back problems on and off for years, but they've really kicked up the last 6 or 7 months.
During this long weekend, when I've had a few minutes here and there, I've been breaking down and re-packing my BOBs. 2 for me (large and small) and 1 for the wife. The large BOB is a large framed military pack that weighs a LOT. I don't know exactly how much, but it's a good amount. I tore it down and re-packed it, and thought to myself "I'm having a hard time moving this sucker without discomfort"... I'm not in great shape but I'm not a doughball either, and I'm thinking to myself that I need to seriously reevaluate things. So, my huge heavy BOB with the tent and all in it is now a "shoulder portable VEHICLE bugout bag" and my smaller BOB is my primary... Back problems suck.  I'm going to get to the doctors soon if this doesn't get better. I've been doing back exercises and stretches to mitigate it somewhat in the hopes that it stays better.
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Quoted:
do you have it situated so most of the weight falls on your hips? that helps me... +1. Also weigh it, weight is king, you don't want to have a bug out situation where you walk 5 miles and strain your back from carrying more than you can handle. Mind listing what you have in your bag? |
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You can get an approximate weight of it using a bathroom scale. Either dump it on the scale directly, or weigh yourself with and without it and subtract your weight.
It also depends on the quality of the pack and how you pack it. Make sure you follow the typical guidelines (heavy stuff toward the top front, light stuff toward the lower rear), and the straps are cinched down and fit you properly, and the waist belt is carrying most of the weight, etc... If everything's packed as well as you can make it, and you're still having trouble, then it's definitely time to pull stuff out. |
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Screw the docs, they'll just give you surgery which will make you worse over time (weakening) or drugs which will make you dependent over (no) time.
Buy this book: Healing Back Pain Naturally by Art Brownstein ( I don't know if I'm spelling his name correctly) It's #1 on back pain on Amazon, he's a doc who had surgery and doesn't recommend it! His exercise and stretching program saved my life and career. I'm 100% pain free w/no drugs and in better shape @ 51 then I was at 40 (and I was in pretty great shape then). It's about building core strength and stretching those ever tightening joints on your aging body. I was crippled with back pain, blew out my L5-S1 bad and NEVER thought I'd be 'normal' again. The program works...but you've got to commit to it 30 minutes at night and in the AM. DO IT AND SAVE YOUR ASS! 
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lose lbs, get in shape. Weigh the pack...you may be sucked that it weighs alot less than what you think it does!! make sure it fits your torso correctly and is a good pack. IMHO it should hurt your back if its packed correctly and not weighing 500 lbs ;p i have back issues everynow and then from an old injury, but i work out and lost some weight and stretch and it keeps itin check. not enough to effect carrying a load though. |
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Quoted:
Screw the docs, they'll just give you surgery which will make you worse over time (weakening) or drugs which will make you dependent over (no) time. Buy this book: Healing Back Pain Naturally by Art Brownstein ( I don't know if I'm spelling his name correctly) It's #1 on back pain on Amazon, he's a doc who had surgery and doesn't recommend it! His exercise and stretching program saved my life and career. I'm 100% pain free w/no drugs and in better shape @ 51 then I was at 40 (and I was in pretty great shape then). It's about building core strength and stretching those ever tightening joints on your aging body. I was crippled with back pain, blew out my L5-S1 bad and NEVER thought I'd be 'normal' again. The program works...but you've got to commit to it 30 minutes at night and in the AM. DO IT AND SAVE YOUR ASS! HMMMM, thanks for the tip! BTW to those who asked for a weight, I'm not going to wrestle it down off the shelf again to weigh it until my back feels better 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Screw the docs, they'll just give you surgery which will make you worse over time (weakening) or drugs which will make you dependent over (no) time. Buy this book: Healing Back Pain Naturally by Art Brownstein ( I don't know if I'm spelling his name correctly) It's #1 on back pain on Amazon, he's a doc who had surgery and doesn't recommend it! His exercise and stretching program saved my life and career. I'm 100% pain free w/no drugs and in better shape @ 51 then I was at 40 (and I was in pretty great shape then). It's about building core strength and stretching those ever tightening joints on your aging body. I was crippled with back pain, blew out my L5-S1 bad and NEVER thought I'd be 'normal' again. The program works...but you've got to commit to it 30 minutes at night and in the AM. DO IT AND SAVE YOUR ASS! HMMMM, thanks for the tip! BTW to those who asked for a weight, I'm not going to wrestle it down off the shelf again to weigh it until my back feels better Well would you mind listing everything you have in it then? |