Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, Richmond Hill Liberal, Copyright May 31, 1990
Dear Dr. Horowitz:
Now that we can say that camping season is here, I would like your opinion on something. We usually camp weekends at the provincial campgrounds, or at the various private facilities. We have a large tent for my wife and myself, and a smaller pup tent for our two young boys who like to sleep in their own space.
I am sure you hear this every summer, and I know that I have complained to my own chiropractor about it before, but I want to know if there is anything that can be done to prevent those early morning backaches I have when getting up every morning.
I have no problem sleeping in my sleeping bag. I am warm and comfortable. I use a plastic mat under the bag to level the ground a bit and to provide some sort of padding. My wife has no problem at all, doesn’t use anything under her bag and she sleeps fine and has no back pain when she wakes up. What am I doing wrong?
ANSWER:
When you choose to sleep outside, a tent provides some protection from the insects, some from the raccoons, some from noisy neighbors, but none from bears or the dampness. The bears will usually leave you alone as long as you leave them alone, but the dampness won’t. Sleeping in a sleeping bag is fine if its warm enough and if you have enough protection from the uneven, damp ground. Your plastic mat may help a bit, but most campers find better comfort from an air cushion, such as those used for flotation in water. A pump can be brought along to make it easier, or you can get your young children to do it for you, which is even easier.
The air which separates you from the ground will help support your back in a more comfortable manner than the plastic you are now using. It will also help keep you off the cool, damp ground. The dampness is usually the thing campers feel bother them the most. Even if it is hot and dry, there is still the morning dew, and the mist which is more prevalent around lakes where most campgrounds are. The ground water is also higher in these areas and therefore the ground tends to get more moist even in nice dry weather.
FIRES ARE OUT
Fires are not to be lit near tents, and stoves are to be used with caution, but there are now several products on the market which provide instant heat. Some you boil, some you press a button, others you shake. These chemical concoctions will keep you warm and dry and placing one inside your sleeping bag might help.
One other reason you may be stiff in the morning is because of the increased, or at least changed, activities you have done the day before. You may be chopping fire wood, swimming, canoeing, hiking or so on, and although these are all good activities, your back might not be ready for these activities and then a night on the ground as well.
Also, many campers tend to go to bed earlier than they would at home. The lack of lights, television, and telephone make most people turn in when it gets dark, by around 10 p.m. You may or may not get up with the birds and sun, but this change in sleep habits might also aggravate a slight back problem you may already have.
AN ALTERNATIVE
If you try dealing with everything I have mentioned and your back is still sore when camping, you should have a professional examine your back to see if there are any other suggestions that might be made … such as … “TRY A HOTEL!!!”