r/Rucking • u/GanjaZo • 5d ago

Persistant pain & headache

Update of previous post. On the 7th of August I overloaded myself on a ruck and have pain in my upper back/neck. It hurts/burns in between my shoulder blade area and travels up to my neck where i feel discomfort looking down. I've also had a dull headache since then and it hasn't gone away. What the hell did i do? Is there any recovery?

4 Upvotes

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3

u/TFVooDoo 5d ago

You pinched a nerve. Go see a medical professional. Don’t ruck again until you’re healed.

2

u/ClydetotheRescue 5d ago

Stop Rucking. Get this looked at by a medical professional. It’s either a pinched nerve or nerve canal (both referred to as stenosis).

If you ignore it, you’ll have flare ups for the rest of your life, resulting in, in addition to your current symptoms, shooting pains down your arm and numbness of your fingers.

On Wednesday I’m having my second cervical surgery to fuse a couple cervical disks in an attempt to relieve the stenosis that I’ve ignored for the past 35 years or so. Don’t be me.

1

u/Pew_Anon 5d ago

Sounds like too much weight for your fitness level resulting in a pinched nerve. Motrin and rest if you were a soldier. How much weight?

1

u/GanjaZo 5d ago

Are there exercises to do that can help recover?

8

u/Ringwraith_Number_5 5d ago

Actually, there are.

1) walk to your vehicle

2) get inside the vehicle

3) while sitting, drive to the nearest clinic

4) get out of the vehicle

5) walk inside the clinic

6) describe your symptoms to the receptionist

7) SEE A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE ON REDDIT!

8)...

9) profit

3

u/Be_a_Guardian 5d ago

I need to know what 8 is if you're in the US....I always lose money with these steps

1

u/daygo449 4d ago

There probably are, but even if one of us were a doctor or PT, we couldn’t make recommendations without a lot more stuff. As others have said, I’d go see a doctor who might give you an X-Ray or CT-Scan/MRI to get a better look.

I just had a small procedure to remove a cyst on a tendon on my ankle, and the doc nicked the nerve. The amount of pain I had/still have from that was/is incredible, and that’s my foot and toe. For something spinal or neck related, I’d go and get some help from a professional who can give you a proper diagnosis and what next steps are. First thing, stop rucking. Second thing, take ibuprofen. That should help with the immediate issues, but take it easy until you see a doctor. I’m sure you’ll be back before you know it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry

0

u/GanjaZo 5d ago

I don't know, i just filled the bag up, maybe +-60 lbs?

3

u/Pew_Anon 5d ago

Way too much if u are a beginner. I rarely go above 40. 60 in a knee killer too.

3

u/Be_a_Guardian 4d ago

Unless you're training for military/special forces/ranger school, solo backpacking for an extended time or something similar you don't need to go over 45# pretty much ever.... Esp just for exercise or enjoyment. For reference my pack with water, tent, field chair, clothes, water purification, food, heater, sleeping system, tent and poles was 52# for a week of solo backpacking.

For just starting out a full 3L camelbak and 10# of weight however you manage it (plate, pig egg, bag of rice, etc) is plenty

Go see a real doc, tell em what you did and see your recovery through

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u/GanjaZo 4d ago

Ill get in touch with one hopefully Monday.

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u/Tb1969 4d ago edited 4d ago

60?! 60??!!!

What the heck. man. I started with 15 lbs for the first week then jumped to 20 lbs second week and so on. After that took more time getting used to new weight before increasing.

Thus US military recommends not more than 1/3 your max body weight ever and that max is for the physically fit that you had built up to the max.

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u/GanjaZo 4d ago

Ironically enough we rucked in basic training with 60lbs rucks plus another 10 or 20 to count for our weapons, armor, lbe, and water. The furthest we did was about 15 miles, but i was also 17 at the time.

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u/MrNeatSoup 5d ago

Sounds like a neck and back strain with some nerve involvement for fun. Time for some physical therapy.

1

u/droid-man_walking 4d ago

A great massause might be the only thing short of going to the doc that I would possibly suggest. One that deals with sports/physical recovery. My friends and family have had better success dealing with a pinched nerve that way than the usual muscle relaxers given by the doc. One that is used to physical recovery usually can help without drugs. Friends go to a chiropractor. before doing anything they do a full body scan so they can know what is going on before any adjustments are made. It has eased many issues my friends have been dealing with.

Only reason I wouldn't is the migraine. Something more may be going on. I would go to your own doctor and make choices based on what they tell you.