Back in pain

[craiglee]

I wore my backpack for about 20 minutes for a photoshoot a while ago and I was in pain after. I have a camera, flash, stand, umbrella, lense, and misc stuff. Today I put it on today for 1 minute and my lower back hurts. I'm only 23. What's wrong?

[SKnight]

Hard living? Rode dirtbikes much?

I'd take the rig to a Dr. and get his opinion of whats happening. How the pack rides on your back has a lot to do with how you'll feel.

[S-S]

could be anything... bag-related or medical related

[rklepper]

Some bags just do not wear well. I am 50 and have carried my Kata around for 10+ hours a day for 3 days straight with no issues. Could also just be the straps are not set up correctly.

[V8Rumble]

Backpacks are supposed to be worn high. Are you trying to be cool by wearing it over your ass? :p

What kind of backpack is it?

[craiglee]

I have the canon backpack. It's super high on my back.

[tkoutdoor]

I have the canon backpack. It's super high on my back.My Canon pack is comfortable enough provided it's not overweight. I manage 15 to 20 lbs sometimes, but 15 lbs. and under is comfortable. My back hurts with or without a pack so can't comment on that part. I may have never worn the hip belt. Does it have one? Can't remember. I take most of the weight out when I'm shooting because I "wear" two cameras at once. At that point the bag becomes super comfortable.

[crn3371]

I'm guessing that it isn't the fault of the backpack. Yes, while wearing the backpack you might of moved in such a way so as to pinch a nerve, or pull a muscle, but the pack itself wasn't to blame.

[argyle]

Only twenty minutes? Do you exercise at all? I'd recommend that you try some lower back exercises to strengthen the muscles, as well as adbominal exercises for your core. Does your backpack have a waist strap to distribute the load to your hips? If not, you should consider a pack with that feature. Plain and simple, most camera backpacks suck as far as ergonomics go...

[shannyD]

it could be several things. weight, posture, are you stretching your hammies enough? injuries from accidents, and rough sports can cause this too.

[Familiaphoto]

From my experience its the stuff hanging off it that causes issues. Hanging off the stand and umbrella can throw off the balance enough to strain your back. My Kata R-103 is a great backpack, but when I hang my tripod off it I can feel the additional strain on my back. I only do that when I have to.

[V8Rumble]

Yes, if the backpack sits unbalanced it puts an uneven load on your spine.

[Collin85]

It could be due to issues which has manifested itself over many years. Do you recall any particular bad habits from the past? Slouching? Wearing backpacks low? Pulling a back muscle awhile back? Heavy lifting in the past? Have a think about it.

[ben_r_]

Stick it on a scale while it full of whatever your carrying and let us know how much your fitting into that Canon bag. Personally I would take it and yourself to a doctor and just inquire. Nothing wrong with that and it can only help.

[craiglee]

Lots of info. I think it's the balance thing. I had a stand handing off the side. Only one side was in pain. Don't remember if they were on the same side though.

[Tdragone]

I can load everything in my sig into a lowepro naturetrekker ii and walk all day. It has an adjustable waist to top of the straps velcro thingy that works incredibly well.

If you are carrying a fair amount of weight; get a backpack with waist straps. Go to REI and tell them you're thinking about backpacking for the first time and ask them about backpack fitting.

They will tell you most of the weight actually sits on your hips and NOT on your shoulders.

This should help you a LOT.

[eddie1]

bad backs - a hazard of the photographers life
my advice travel as light as you can
use wheels where possible
e.g the lowepro wheeled bags

dont use shoulder bags
do yoga, learn to stretch

see a good chiropractor

take care of your back it has to last you a long time
(I've known several pros who have had to give up work bacause of their backs)





www.ralphhodgson.co.uk

[Perfect_10]

Maybe you have a low pain threshold :eek:

It's all about posture .. maybe you need to dry some dummy runs using different stuff to weight the bag to see where the pain kicks in.