Help - back pain and backpacks

[Blissful]

I am having major problems finding a backpack that doesn't irritate my sciatica. I have spinal degeneration, noted on X ray and from lifting patients when I was a nurse. All the light backpacks have insufficient padding in the lumbar region to "cut down" on weight and make them lighter, I guess. They also carry differently - right on the lumbar region it seems. Purchased a hyper light backpack earlier this week and the nerve became so irritated I couldn’t sleep. I loved the thing, it felt great, but my back was killing me. Even tried to add some padding with some memory foam stuff but it didn't help. I have tried Osprey, Granite Gear, even Gregory’s Deva with better back support but walking in the outdoor shop my lower back hurt and I had irritation running down my leg. The only backpack that doesn't hurt my lower back (but my shoulders and hips though) is my huge 6 lb 10 oz clunker Lowe Alpine Alpamyo that I may have to take on my thru hike. But I don’t see any other option right now, and I must say I am pretty discouraged. Everyone reads about going light, light light. Your base weight at 8 lbs. Well, with just my backpack I will be at close to 7 lbs. But nothing works with my back. And then I wonder if I can even do the trail. :(

Anyone else have the problem with back pain like this and finding a pack? Or any suggestions, etc.

[neighbor dave]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14922&highlight=herniated+disc

:-? not sure if any of this advice will help you but here it is.
lots of water, decompress,msm,glucosamine,condroiten,iyengar yoga:sun

[hopefulhiker]

I had the same problem with a bulging disc and sciatica pain a few years ago.. I found that the external luxury lite pack transferred the weight to my hips.. I hiked the whole trail with one last year, although I did do a little slack packing.. I liked the front pack, back pack combination. It balances the weight so it does pull on your back.. Although a little awkward at first I really liked it and it was convenient too. I would not carry a six pound pack. Some peoples base loads are that much.. My base load was about eight pounds.. The weight is the key. Lower the overall weight and it will put less pressure on your back...

[Time To Fly 97]

I don't have this exact back problem but have used the following to relieve backpain originally caused from bad posture at work (since corrected thankfully):

Cut out a little of the padding in the back of the waist belt to relieve direct pressure on your lower back, use hiking poles to transfer as much of your upper body weight onto your arms and off your back, go with as little weight as possible on your shoulder straps as this will put more weight onto your hips and off of your back, try to glide when you walk instead of bounce, strap into your pack with good posture (straight back).

Happy hiking!

TTF

[rhjanes]

I had the same problem with a bulging disc and sciatica pain a few years ago.. I found that the external luxury lite pack transferred the weight to my hips.. I hiked the whole trail with one last year, although I did do a little slack packing.. I liked the front pack, back pack combination. It balances the weight so it does pull on your back.. Although a little awkward at first I really liked it and it was convenient too. I would not carry a six pound pack. Some peoples base loads are that much.. My base load was about eight pounds.. The weight is the key. Lower the overall weight and it will put less pressure on your back...

you have a link to this pack?

[Alligator]

I had sciatica pain from a herniated disk for many months. Fortunately for me it went away. If you think you need to steer towards beefier packs, you might want to take a look at Arc'teryx also. Though they tend to be heavier, they have stout suspension systems. One may help out. Best of luck.

P.S. My sciatica pain gradually diminished after using Celebrex. I rarely get any pain, the few cases has been from driving on extended trips. I only now take the Celebrex occasionally, like a few times a month.

[hammock engineer]

I had to have surgrey on my back a few years back, it is basically as good as it is going to get right now. What works for me is having a pack with a torso length a little longer than normal. This was the hip belt sits lower on my hips. That seems to help take the weight off of my lower back. I usually tighten up the belt pretty good.

Some people go with a pack with only shoulder straps. I don't think that would work for me, but might be worth looking into. From what I read you will have to keep for load to 20 lbs or less.

[TIDE-HSV]

in the other thread, I'm still using the inversion table with good results. I also bought a cushy Big Agnes air mattress with Primaloft in it. I couldn't sleep on the thin pads any more...

[orangebug]

I'd suggest spending some time, and money, with a good outfitter for a pack (probably heavier) with good support and fit to transfer weight to your hips. My experience is that a well fitting pack makes my back feel better during and after a hike. The ultralight / low support backpacks may not provide the sort of weight transfer that you specifically require for comfort.

[Blissful]

Well, I'm going to try my son's old Mountainsmith pack this weekend for a trial. It has good padding and weighs less than my clunker by almost two pounds. Problem is, if it works out, then he will need a pack for the thru! But at least he's young and can use just about anything.

I also use the Big Agnes pad after multiple pad problems too.

Oh, and I did read the thread about the disk problems before starting this thread - just looking for backpack solutions though. Some good thoughts, thanks!

[Mike & Gloria Walsh]

I too have back problems also retired nurse. I go to a gym everyday and do many back excrises and the inversion thing.I take CELBEBREX and SKELAKIN every night. I find that when I run I hurt less. My backpack is a OSPRY AERIAL 55. We went on a 10 day hike in July and I loved the pack. Back hurt less on the trail than at home. Hope to see you on the AT.

[Alligator]

Well, I'm going to try my son's old Mountainsmith pack this weekend for a trial. It has good padding and weighs less than my clunker by almost two pounds. Problem is, if it works out, then he will need a pack for the thru! But at least he's young and can use just about anything.

... Mountainsmith does make women specific packs, if that one works out.

[StarLyte]

Hey Blissful-sorry to hear you're going thru this.

I hate to carry weight on my back, so I must rely on the weight of the pack to FALL ON MY HIPS.

I would say first off, go to a reliable outfitter - as already mentioned - try on packs - and have the outfitter weight them - they have sandbags, etc. for that, go up to 20 pounds, then tighten your waist belt a little snug so that the majority of the weight in the pack rests on your hips. Walk around the store with that pack on. Take your time.

I hope you will find this relieving. I wish you so much luck.

[hopefulhiker]

The link for the luxury lite pack is luxurylite.com

[alalskaman]

I have not tried the luxurylite pack, but the idea is sound...I think what you need, contrary to current styles, is an external frame pack. What you want is for ALL the weight to be transferred to your hips/pelvic bones, with the shoulder straps only keeping the pack from flopping around. At the height of my back troubles (discectomy, etc) I tried to do this with my old Kelty clone, and found it was not easy...the hip belt slid down and had to be adjusted/ hitched up constantly. Also it was painful on the little protruding lumps of pelvic bones. But it was the only way I could backpack at all. Which incidentally was something my surgeon said I could never do again. You could perhaps find a detachable/separate REALLY excellent hipbelt, and adapt it to a garage-sale e-frame. But I think the LuxuryLite will do the job, carry all the weight where it should be, plus it is modern and lightweight. And the idea of carrying some of the weight up front has got to be good for backs also. I have an Aarn pack, from New Zealand, which does that, and it is really nice. Best wishes, I trust you will find something that works.

[Programbo]

Everyone reads about going light, light light. Your base weight at 8 lbs. Well, with just my backpack I will be at close to 7 lbs.

I wouldn`t worry about all that...What good is worrying about "base weight" figures if you pack isn`t designed to properly carry and distibute the weight and it ends up feeling heavier and causes you to walk in an un-natural manner and uses up more energy?...I`d rather carry a pack that`s 8 pounds empty than a pack that`s 2 pounds empty if the heavier pack transfered the weight to my legs and natural center of gravity more efficiently.

[Blissful]

Went to the outfitter this past weekend for my pack dilemma - told him the problem and he said I'm going to need a heftier hip belt to take the strain off my lumbar region. Am now going to try an Osprey Ariel 65 (small) with a Luna hip belt (medium) to see if I can carry it off my lumbar region. Opsrey pack has to come in yet and then I will head over the mountain and try it all out.

If this doesn't work, I'll probably have to go with a clunker - either my son's Mountainsmith or my 7 lb Lowe Alpine. This is it for me. I'm getting really weary of it all. And he said with my back condition, I may need a heavier constructed pack that will transfer the weight differently. Sigh.