Fwd: Re: [pct-l] Waist Bands and Shoulder Weight

[Ben Schifrin <benschif@sonnet.com>]

>Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 15:21:47 -0700
>To: Bighummel@aol.com
>From: Ben Schifrin <benschif@sonnet.com>
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Waist Bands and Shoulder Weight
>Cc:
>Bcc:
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>
>>A lot of discussion has gone on here in regards to the lack of waist belts on
>>some packs and the ability to load weight onto or off of your shoulders.  I
>>prefer more weight on my waist for some reason, likely to maintain a lower
>>center of gravity.  However, I paid a dire and permanent price for doing so
>>on my thruhike.  The belt over time apparently cut the circulation off to a
>>nerve in my leg.  So I now have a strip on the top of my thigh about 4 x 1
>>inches that is permanently numb and gives a burning feeling periodically when
>>warming up.  As is the case with most things, too much of anything isn't good
>>for you.  Of course, the modern, high tech, heavy weight belts nowadays are
>>more heavily padded and loads are lighter.  But the recent trend to go
>>ultralight has shown some very thin waist belts.  Careful.
>
>
>Greg-- Sorry It's taken me so long to get back to you on this. I 
>love your well-thought-out posts.
>
>The condition you suffer from is called, "meralgia paresthetica". (I 
>have it permanently, too, but only on the left-- from an 
>experimental muscle biopsy gone awry!). It is caused by direct 
>compression of the median femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, as 
>it traverses between fascial layers just inferior to the inguinal 
>crease-- the place where many of us, especially if taller than 
>average height, wear our belly-bands. I used to get it every day, on 
>the PCT, and still get it with big expedition loads. It occurs more 
>commonly, believe it or not, in women, diabetics and the obese 
>(doesn't sound like you qualify). But, if you keep beating up your 
>waist, anyone can get it. Surgical decompression of the nerve has 
>been tried for some, but the rest of us just put up with a numb 
>patch of lateral thigh. There are some strategies that can decrease 
>its incidence. Better padding on hip belts, different contouring on 
>hip belts, wearing the band higher or lower, or periodic release of 
>the band, all help prevent the condition. A LIGHT PACK is a great 
>preventive, but pressure, not weight, is the culprit.
>
>Have fun on them numb legs! Hope to see you at the next AZDKOP.
>
>-- Ben Schifrin

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