[pct-l] Insoles

[Melanie Clarke]

Dear Diane,

Nearly all Americans get back pain from being scrunched over a computer
monitor or studying books etc.  Our backs on not meant to be rounded or
scrunched.  Sit up straight, the tush will round out in the back of the
chair (especially mine )-: but I've learned to embrace this) elevate your
abdominal area, keep shoulders back, the upper back should be nearly flat
and BEND FORWARD AT THE HIP to get close to the book, keyboard or computer
screen (again the natural curve of the tush will be the only thing sticking
out  If I can live with my tush, you can live with yours)  Your arms should
hang down naturally slightly on the back half of your body so you will have
to move your keyboard closer.

This actually takes less energy to sit this way as your discs are stacked
properly and you are not straining the muscles and connective tissue
supporting the spine.  You should be able to sit all day without effort.  We
have to earn a living, we just can't hike all day.  Very academic people
have that rounded back from spending long hours over books.  Sit properly
and you really can study or earn a living over a computer screen.

So back flat, BEND AT THE HIP!!!!!!

Melanie

On Sun, Jan 2, 2011 at 9:03 AM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> My back hurt from using a computer mouse and sitting all day.
>
> My frameless pack was somewhat too heavy and ill-fitting for me and
> this made my back pretty miserable. First thing I did to help my back
> was get a better-fitting, more supportive, internal frame pack. I did
> that in Agua Dulce. It weighed more, but it carried my heavy gear
> better. My back stopped hurting.
>
> On my second hike I lightened my packweight considerably and used
> another unsupportive, frameless pack. My unsupportive pack still hurt
> my back. I ended up wedging a stick against my back, between the back
> pad and the pack. The pain went away. I carried that stick from south
> of Lone Pine all the way to Canada!
>
> So rather than insoles, I would suggest making sure your pack fits
> well and is supportive for your back.
>
> Diane
>
> On Jan 2, 2011, at 7:55 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> > At the ripe age of 26, I tend to have some lower back pain when I
> > walk for
> > an extended amount of time. I'm worried about this acting up when I'm
> > walking for six months.....Are there any specific insoles or shoes
> > anyone
> > recommends? Thanks,
> >    ~Csilla~
>
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