hammocks for back problems

**rigidpsycho** · 06-09-2009, 15:15

If I could figure out a way to hang one in my bedroom for fulltime use I would. Especially after a hard week at work, when my back is hurting and I go and hang in the backyard my back feels so much better.

**Knotty** · 06-09-2009, 15:19

Sleeping "banana style" down the center of a hammock (except a bridge) probably would be contraindicated for back health. But the angled, flat lie seems to provide nice distributed support w/o pressure points as others have mentioned.

As with most things, it's probably not for everyone.

**2Questions** · 06-09-2009, 15:54

As I was thinking about the position I have on my back in the hammock, I realized that it is very similar to the position I like in my Lazi-Boy!! I tilt that sucker all the way back, feet up, and the back support feels like I'm in my hammock. Oh yeah....

**Cannibal** · 06-09-2009, 17:20

This is why I started hanging! Rockstar made a post over on that 'other' site about switching to hammocks because of her back. I thought she was nuts! But, I sent her a PM asking where she got whatever she was smoking cause I wanted some. She gave me the name of her dealer: www.hammockforums.net and the rest is history.

From the age of about 17 on, I have had the pleasure of waking in the mornings to a gloriously painful set of knees and a back that used to go out (talkin can't walk for a week) about once, sometimes twice, a year. I had actually grown accustomed to it. I ordered a cheapo Traveler hammock for $19.95 and strung it up above my bed (eyebolts in the walls). On the third morning I got out of bed and realized something was wrong. I could move without making faces and I was walking upright. It was a totally new sensation to me and I was instantly mad that this is how everybody else feels in the mornings; I felt cheated. Instead of letting my rage fester, I decided to take my bed apart and store it away in a dark place...where it belongs.

Two years and change later, I'm still sleeping in a hammock full-time at home. Doubt I'll ever go back to the torture racks they call 'beds'.

**Peter_pan** · 06-09-2009, 21:37

Originally Posted by Knotty

Sleeping "banana style" down the center of a hammock (except a bridge) probably would be contraindicated for back health. But the angled, flat lie seems to provide nice distributed support w/o pressure points as others have mentioned.

As with most things, it's probably not for everyone.

Knotty,

Your exception really is a major point and should not be missed....

Laying straight and totally flat, a bodies natural posture and balance, as the bridge style hammocks provide, is even better than the subtle torque and "near flat" position of diagonal laying gathered end hammocks.

Think of a gathered end hammock as supporting a position similiar to a recliner

Think of the bridge hammock as supporting a position similiar to a water bed.

Pan

**Rushthezeppelin** · 06-10-2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by Crawldaddy

How many here use their hammock exclusively because its better on your back? It seems the physiology of the curvature of the back is contraindicative to proper posture while sleeping in a hammock. but hey..my back sure feels better when I wake in my hammock the next morning. Whats the deal?

I got a stand for my house because of this. My back hasn't felt as great as it has lately since before I injured it.

**warbonnetguy** · 06-10-2009, 23:47

Originally Posted by Crawldaddy

How many here use their hammock exclusively because its better on your back?

uh, everyone?

**warbonnetguy** · 06-11-2009, 00:02

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

Knotty,
Laying straight and totally flat, a bodies natural posture and balance, as the bridge style hammocks provide, is even better than the subtle torque and "near flat" position of diagonal laying gathered end hammocks.
Pan

now that's a matter of preference, i've been telling my wife for months now that i'm going to rig my side of the bed so i can incline my torso a little, and possibly raise it a little under the knees too. some of the higher end beds even come with an adjustable feature like this. even though my memory foam matteress is plenty comfy on my back, i still can't sleep nearly as well while perfectly flat on my back like i can when i'm slightly bent in the hammock. for me it's just better with a little incline of the torso and knees slightly bent, not sure why but it is.

**titanium_hiker** · 06-11-2009, 00:03

Did you know our backs aren't (side view) like this: | ? Really they have a curve. (Like an S but not so pronounced.) To fix scoliosis (this is where the front view of the spine isn't | but S they tried to bolt the spine so it was | both sideways and from the front.

Now a days they make sure you've still got that lovely front to back curve.

This is why a hammock is comfy... bolt straight is not how our backs like to be!

**Sweeper** · 06-11-2009, 04:32

As I mentioned in a different thread, I am fused in my neck and will be in the lower back one day. Most recently I had been a ground gripper for a while, but last trip out got the HH back out and was not sore at all during the hike. Now the quest is for a good hammock for a true side sleeper, which is what I am. I can't sleep on my back despite surgery for sleep apnea which has made things better but not perfect. Hammocks are for sure the way to go! If I lose some weight (245 right now) I may go with a BMBH. Heck, I'll probably get one of those and a BB just for fun!