Every time I go backpacking, after a few days, my right leg starts tingling in the thigh just above the knee. My doctor tells me that more than likely my backpack belt is compressing the femoral nerve (I may be misremembering which nerve it is), and if this continues I'll probably cause permanent damage. Any suggestions on how to alleviate this problem will be most welcome.
_bandana_Health - Appalachian Trail
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#1
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#2
I experienced sciatic nerve pain for a few years when I started distance hiking. My chiropractor told me the best exercise for that was walking. Sure enough, after a few seasons and a few thousand trail miles, no more nerve problems and it has never come back in the off season.
Once in a while when it hurt I would adjust the shoulder straps and belt for temporary relief.
It wasn’t nerve pain but tendon problems that induced me to seriously lower my pack weight a decade ago. I went from a 30+ pound pack to a 10 or less pound pack, base weight. If you’re a candidate for that, it may be your best solution.
Best of luck.
_Garlic_
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#3
I get swollen hands that sometimes tingle due to improper load distribution that puts alot of pressure on the fronts of my shoulders. I fix the problem by putting more of the load on my hips. I use a granite gear nimbus ozone pack that has a composite frame sheet that bends in a unfavorable way when I pack it improperly, especially with a large bear container upright. Improper loading causes the framesheet to bow and my pack to point-load my lower back and the fronts of my shoulders. Maybe you have the exact opposite problem that I had. Garlic has a good point too....lighten you load.
_Spigot_