Hammock bad for your posture/back?

**Armor Like Fire** · 08-06-2013, 09:26

Hey guys viper here! about a year ago I started getting in to hammocks because I needed a smaller rig for a smaller pack I got. And after testing them different ones and different lays and everything I have found what I love and have been sleeping in it for a few months now and don't even have my bed in my room now because every time I even try and sleep in my bed I can't sleep and I sleep so much better in my hammock then I really ever have my bed.

But I'm wondering is this Gana mess up my back or something? Anyone els sleep in their hammock as a bed?
Thaks guys so much for all the help me advise you guys give me!

**Acer** · 08-06-2013, 09:30

I have a lower disc that about once a year,,pops out and puts my butt down for the count for about a week.. and then I am good to go for about another year...since moving to a bridge hammock,,the RR..It hasn't been active and back is super fine for over a year now. Before, I had a JRB Bridge,,and before than quite a few gathered end hammocks that helped out as well. Helps me a ton as I sleep in a hammock every nite in the house as well as outside when its not humid and hot as all get out. Love sleeping in a hammock as I work doing anything to my back,,and the hammock just heals it nicely.

**spoonyspork** · 08-06-2013, 09:46

I've only been doing this about three weeks now, but so far the opposite is true. I have never slept better and never felt better. I get out of bed (hammock?) and I'm out and up! No stiff muscles, no numb limbs, no popping back/neck for the first half of the day, nothing! The only thing that might cause a bad back would be getting stuck in the weave trying to roll out in the morning and falling. I've had some close calls XD

Mom in law who *never* sleeps more than an hour or so at a time due to some health problems is now ending her first week in a hammock. She gets at least 4 hours at a time now, which has not happened since before I met her almost 10 years ago now. The second she tries to lay in bed her back, hips, and legs start hurting/going numb again. The only thing that worries her is that she's woken up a few times completely rolled in the hammock like a burrito - webbing twisted to show she actually went completely 360 in it - with no idea how she got that way or how she didn't fall on her face.

**mountaingoat** · 08-06-2013, 09:54

When I backpack and sleep up to 12 hours in my hammock, it "fixes" my back.
If it feels good, I doubt that it is doing you harm.

**Bubba** · 08-06-2013, 09:59

I've read that many members feel that hammocks actually help their back issues.

**HamMike** · 08-06-2013, 10:04

I feel that if it were to have a propensity to have adverse effects it would not have become such a popular choice for sleep and recreation. Many cultures use them in one way or another. They can't all be wrong. I say don't sweat it and Hang away!

**Armor Like Fire** · 08-06-2013, 10:30

Originally Posted by spoonyspork

I've only been doing this about three weeks now, but so far the opposite is true. I have never slept better and never felt better. I get out of bed (hammock?) and I'm out and up! No stiff muscles, no numb limbs, no popping back/neck for the first half of the day, nothing! The only thing that might cause a bad back would be getting stuck in the weave trying to roll out in the morning and falling. I've had some close calls XD

Mom in law who *never* sleeps more than an hour or so at a time due to some health problems is now ending her first week in a hammock. She gets at least 4 hours at a time now, which has not happened since before I met her almost 10 years ago now. The second she tries to lay in bed her back, hips, and legs start hurting/going numb again. The only thing that worries her is that she's woken up a few times completely rolled in the hammock like a burrito - webbing twisted to show she actually went completely 360 in it - with no idea how she got that way or how she didn't fall on her face.

Wow that's crazy! My diy hammocks I make for my and friend it's hard to roll out tbh you actually got to basically got to turn it to get dumped out. I'm curious how she did that >_>

**Armor Like Fire** · 08-06-2013, 10:32

Originally Posted by HamMike

I feel that if it were to have a propensity to have adverse effects it would not have become such a popular choice for sleep and recreation. Many cultures use them in one way or another. They can't all be wrong. I say don't sweat it and Hang away!

Yah well also use to be water beds use to be a big thing with everyone also but those were proven to be bad for your back. But I, not Gana go back to my bed anyways I have never slept this good in my life consistently

**Armor Like Fire** · 08-06-2013, 10:34

Alright good deal! Wasn't planning in going back to my bed anyways just wanted to hear a few people's opinions/experiences if it were bad for ,y back I wouldn't go back to a bed I would just try and figure out a flatter lay

thanks guys!

**Dead Man** · 08-06-2013, 10:50

Originally Posted by Viper

But I'm wondering is this Gana mess up my back or something? Anyone els sleep in their hammock as a bed?
Thaks guys so much for all the help me advise you guys give me!

I can only speak from my experience. While I don't sleep fulltime in my hammock, I would if I could get by with it. The wife has nixed that idea for now.

I know that I have degenerative disk disease (basically the disks in my lower back are slowly dissolving). In my lumbar area I have a degenrative disk that in front of the disk there is calcification forming and behind there is a bone spur. It can and has been painful in the past, however, I feel no pain when in my hammock (my back gets a greater streatch and alignment) and I actually feel a greater range of movement and less overall discomfort the following day after sleeping in my hammock (this generally after a half or full day of hiking prior). Again, I can only attest to my experience but I can find no fault with sleeping fulltime in a hammock.