This is my first EDM festival and after yesterday my back and legs are killing me. I still have today left and I don't know how I'm going to make it. Any advice from experienced festival goers?
EDIT: I survived! Thank you for your advice, it really helped!
Posted Aug 8, 2015, 9:23 AM UTC · edited
Comfy shoes with enough heel support, light stretching every hour or so, staying hydrated by drinking water/coconut water/fresh juices, and sitting down whenever you get the chance. If there are any grassy areas, take a sec to lay down and relax.
I have a pinched sciatic nerve which causes me extreme lower back pain that travels through my hip and all the way down my left leg. Honestly, the only thing I've found that helps is taking painkillers and sitting as much as possible during the festival. Kinda lame, I know, but with 2+ day festivals you really just have to give your body as much rest as possible even if it means not being up and moving around as much as you'd like. Only other things I can suggest that may work for you (but don't work much for sciatic pain) are hot baths/showers (if it's a shower then try sitting down and letting the hot water run down your back) or massage. Tiger balm works pretty well too, but make sure you aren't putting it on too large of an area. Putting it along your spine or just at the base should help.
Thank you for your advice! I've taken hot showers and they seem to ease the pain a bit. I'm going to have to take it more easy today, Showtek almost killed me yesterday haha.
You went to Weekend Festival in Helsinki I assume? I was there - the hard ground is always terrible, full of small rocks, so it does stress your back a lot. My friends also complained about it, I'm used to back pain so it isn't a huge problem for me :D
Yeah I did! The rocks were indeed a pain in the neck, I always tried to sweep them aside with my feet before jumping/dancing but they definitely didn't help the pain.
stretch your lower back
If you're OK with/can take OTC painkillers, Naproxen (Aleve) is the best for what you're looking for, as it is an anti-inflammatory. Also, stretch your back by reaching up towards the sky with your hands clasped, chest and butt sticking out as you stretch/arch back a bit (legs are in a sturdy, semi-wide stance). Release that pose and bend forward towards your toes with your shoulders hunched and just let your body dangle - this takes the weight off your back.
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[i thought that was the whole point...] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_M6kAGHr4)
It could or could not be a problem with your shoes. If you have bad foot support you could go to a doctor and they can make foot supports specifically for your feet and it relieves a lot of pain if you have a lot from standing for extended periods of time. I've done it and it helped me a lot.
Take magnesium. It'll help your muscles stay loose so you don't have problems like lower back pain and teeth grinding.