Mid Back Pain, any suggestions?

[Redpath]

Been trying to dial in my XLC . Last night I slept fairly well. I did experience some mid back pain. Enough to make me wake up and move around. Moving on to my side alleviated it some.I was using a wool scarf as a pillow, so it wasn't very thick. Maybe 3 inches. Insulates my head really well btw. I have had this happen before in my Grand Trunk. I am hanging with my feet elevated. I have an underquilt and no pads. I don't have any normal back issues. Any suggestions?

[Janzen]

Pillow under your knees?

[Debi Jaytee]

You might need something a little more substantial under your head. Most of my mid back issues stem from neck strain.

[Ratdog]

In the XLC I make sure there is something under my right knee (I'm a had left sleeper) and I much prefer a neck pillow vice a pillow for under my head.

I find the neck pillow relieves some strain, lifts the chin and the hammock itself supports the back of the head plenty. If the material of the hammock is an issue, I throw a piece of fleece or soft fabric in a single layer, under my head.

Also, plenty of diagonal, shoulder at the edge, at least for me, seems to work.

Have found the hammock to actually help lower back issues, so for sure work on switching up positions to find something more comfortable.

[Fire-Bug]

In the XLC I make sure there is something under my right knee (I'm a had left sleeper) and I much prefer a neck pillow vice a pillow for under my head.

I find the neck pillow relieves some strain, lifts the chin and the hammock itself supports the back of the head plenty. If the material of the hammock is an issue, I throw a piece of fleece or soft fabric in a single layer, under my head.

I think I'm going back to a neck pillow as well... Tried a DIY flat lay pillow this weekend hanging, and my neck is killing me. I've found what you say to be very true - while I'm 6'3", I am in an 11' gathered end, and even at an angle, the strain on my neck is just too much.

If it helps, I usually roll my sitting pad to use under my knees, serves the duel purpose well.

[gunner76]

Make sure the foot end is about 6 inches higher than the head end and use a pillow.

I just came in from anafternoon nap in my hammock. Its so warm outside today its like summer time.

[Redpath]

Thanks for all the replies. One thing I have been meaning to try is something under my knees. I'll try that next time. Neck pillow sounds like a good thing to try also.

[FLRider]

+1 on neck pillow and knee pillow as possible solutions. Another one is to hang the hammock a little looser (both in suspension and tie-outs) than you would normally, so that you wind up with a "pocket" for your head and knees; this fulfills the need for both pillows for me in my DIY.

I've never had mid-back pain in an hammock, but I have at work. It's due to looking down at a table and having my arms held out over it for long periods, wearing flat shoes (shoes with even a mild heel move it down, into my lower back, where it's much more painful). It's mostly muscle strain rather than anything structural, for me. So, likely, you're doing something while lying there that's putting some strain on those muscles. YMMV, though.

[Redpath]

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but it probably didn't help that I chopped down a dead pine tree and split some wood that afternoon...not used to using those muscles...yet

[DavyRay]

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but it probably didn't help that I chopped down a dead pine tree and split some wood that afternoon...not used to using those muscles...yet

Now you tell us!