skip to main content

Camping & back pain

DallasCactiLover

21 years ago

Does anyone have any suggestions for sleeping on the ground and padding that a person won't wake up with back pain? I've tried the blow up foam pads with extra foam under it. That didn't work. It's the side sleeping that's a bummer. Do I have to give up trying to save space and just resort to taking a cot with springs? Cheryl

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Ken23K
21 years ago
Now that my son is starting to camp with Boy Scouts I'm being "forced" to sleep on the ground in a tent as opposed to on a matress in my popup camper trailer. During the first outing my back and shoulders made it clear that they weren't happy.

I submitted a post asking for suggestions in a Boy Scout forum. The response was basically this:

1. Get the thickest Therm-a-Rest mattress you can afford. http://www.campmor.com often has sales on mattresses with cosmetic blemishes.

2. Make sure you give the Therm-a-Rest mattress an extra little blow of air after it self-inflates to add a little more air pressure. Remember to store the mattress unrolled to keep its springiness.

3. Give yourself time to figure out how firm is enough. Maybe let a little air out to see if that is more comfortable.

4. Use a pillow. If its good enough for home use, its good enough for camping.

5. Take Ibuprofen (with food) before going to bed.
jennmonkey
21 years ago
I love thermarests. You can blow them up to be pretty firm, they are sooooo comfy. I sleep on my side and always wake up with bruised hips unless I use a thermarest.
Related Discussions
Back into camping
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Bixll, Glad to see you're getting back into tent camping. That's my fav. The tents these days have polyster or double-thick nylon walls making them light and easy to maintain. Make sure you get one with a good sized, durable tub floor, especially for the dogs paws/nails. I use a large dome tent because it's easy to put up, I can stand up in it and I can turn it upside down to clean it out. As far a size goes, a "rule of thumb" is to add 2 to the number of people you want the tent to hold and then find a tent that size. So, you have you, your wife, son and friend....go for a 6 person tent. Oh..the dogs..maybe go to 8. Just a thought - they make a lot of the dome tents with separate rooms now. So, you could get one small room for the dogs. If you need more info. please go to my site that has lots of free info. Here is a link that might be useful: TheCampingGuy.com
...See More
Anyone have sciatica pain? or back pain?
Q
Comments (29)
"And if you google pilates for sciatica you can find exercises to try at home." "Another important factor is getting or keeping weight off the stomach, and strengthening the stomach muscles. A big belly with weak muscles can put a lot of stress on the spine." I have had one bout of sciatica that came on suddenly and was incredibly painful-quoted the above insights because what has worked for me is Pilates. I was taking group lessons and when the trainer went out on her own I followed her. She is very good at getting me to move and stretch past what I would do on my own without straining or overdoing it; Pilates of course is also all about strengthening one's core muscles and I've not had any more sciatic problems. Thank goodness for that, it was one of the most excruciating pains I've ever experienced. Ann
...See More
deep sinks and lower back pain?
Q
Comments (28)
My SIL cautioned me on this after she chose the same sink model she'd had before but in an undermount version not drop-in. She's a few inches taller than me and said that it does make her back ache when she has to reach in or when she's lifting a large pot full of water. I had planned to use the same model I currently have but now I'm hesitating. If I did this, I'd have one bowl 11 1/4" below the countertop as opposed to current 9 1/2" (10" deep bowl that sit 1/2" above countertop). The other bowl is about 2" shallower so this side won't be a problem. It's the almost 1' foot deep sink that gives me pause. I've already had my share of back problems, don't need to add to them but I'm not sure how this will affect me. So many of the sinks I see are the same depths regardless of mount style. While I can understand this from manufacturers' point of view (fewer design modifications, reduced cost), it does mean that we consumers are often stuck. Once again what I thought would be a simple decision has grown in scale. Oy. So I'm going to ask hubby to make me a 1 3/4" tall booster to put at the sink to test out whether that difference will be a problem. If so, then I need to keep on shopping. (I think shopping for a sink with a tape measure is *very smart*! 'Course I say that because I do it, too!).
...See More
Chronic back pain.. do I have to give up gardening?
Q
Comments (3)
I agree wholeheartedly with what n2 and gg have said. I wonder what manner of health professionals you've seen about this? X-rays can divulge important information, which can lead to permanent solutions. Proper diagnosis is critical to your being able to actually resolve the pain in a meaningful way. I have a back that I have to be very careful about but is hugely improved by occasional alignments by my chiropractor and my yoga workouts. I was diagnosed with twisted pelvic torsion a few years ago....unbelievable pain! It took acupuncture and T.I.M.E. to get me to the point where treatment was even possible. I have been pretty much pain free for years now, but am still mindful of my limitations. Yoga has strengthened the muscles, tendons, and ligaments associated with my crooked skeletal system.
...See More
rustipup
21 years ago
I always get up sometime in the night and go for a short walk. Or, stretch. I sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees. Helps a lot! Getting up and loosening up the kinks is always a help. Less damage done by morning.
mabeldingeldine_gw
14 years ago
I just suggested this pad on another thread. I have one and it is excellent and includes a great guarantee.

Here is a link that might be useful: LL Bean camp Futon
rustyj14
14 years ago
I have used those long, one-piece cushions, the kind you use on outdoor furniture. I know they aren't suitable for back_packing, but tent camping, or in back of pickup camping, they work great, and don't hurt my old bones!
MattNorton
12 years ago
maybe you can bring a stuff like sofa or bed
dalew
12 years ago
That memory foam certainly has worked for me. Cots with air mattress hurt my back, too.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES No Neutral Ground? Why the Color Camps Are So Opinionated

By Vanessa Brunner

Can't we all just get along when it comes to color versus neutrals?

LIFE 'Not My Precious Books!' — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library

By Alison Hodgson

Have your books and neatness too, with these ideas for paring down and straightening up a beloved collection

Take it Easy: Summer Camp Style

By Erin Lang Norris

14 Ways to Bring Home the Feel of Those Laid-Back Summer Days

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Welcome to Camp Freckle!

By Becky Harris

Vintage maven brings thrifted treasures and atomic-age style to her home

DECORATING GUIDES Pitch Some Retro-Cool Camping Style at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy a summer camp feel the grown-up way: heavy on picturesque picks for the home and backyard, light on sandy sheets and chilly feet

COTTAGE STYLE Lessons From Camp: Cottage Inspiration for Home

By Matthew Ankeny

Embrace the bones, and 11 other design tips from a reborn summer camp in the woods of Wisconsin

Camp Nostalgia Makes a Stake at Home

By Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Retro camping-style elements are bringing comfort, simplicity and a sense of adventure to today's home interiors

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Camp Out in Coziness at Home

By camillaleila

No need to traipse to the far reaches of the forest. These camping goodies let you rough it in total domestic comfort

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Adirondack Camp Inspiration on an Alabama Lake

By Becky Harris

Separate structures create a summer camp feel and capture the best views in this woodsy retreat for a grandfather

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: A Base Camp Designed for Adventure, Durability and Style

Rugged materials join refined good looks and clever details in a Washington family’s all-year getaway

Sponsored