Old school cimber needs young gun advice.

[Mr. Woods]

regarding hip health

You may have been happier with the Pinnacle Classic w extra padding and suspenders like I got and I love it.

Once you start getting the hip pain its tough. You cannot exercise to improve it, you cannot take a steroid shot (in the hip) and often the only answer is retiring to management or getting the hip replaced.

I'm a registered massage therapist considering getting into arboring (is that a word?)
For all you climbers with hip issues I recommend looking into craniosacral therapy treatments. Definitely give em a try before surgery. And of course not all therapist are created equal so try another if the first doesn't help.

http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php
this link will take you to find a therapist page.

http://www.upledger.com/
this site is the guy who started it all

I also recomment belly dancing and yoga. (just kidding about the belly dancing) but you do need to release all that pressure that your body is holding. Think about it, you're sitting in that sling all day long and your hips are being compacted. Now how long do you try to stretch them out if at all?
Stretch? What's that? That's a word for pain free body. Give it a try.
Happy swinging everyone.

 

[tree MDS]

suspenders are great just for comfort and esp if you have to use something larger than a ms200. I don't have a belly but have narrow hips and the saddle can slide down.

Are you using the buckingham deluxe suspenders TV?

If so, do you find the padding around the neck to be annoying?

 

[treevet]

Are you using the buckingham deluxe suspenders TV?

If so, do you find the padding around the neck to be annoying?

Yes MDS I have the padded suspenders. I generally only use this saddle and suspenders if I have a long climb of say 4 hours or more and if I am just up and down a lot of trees I use my cheapo saddle. The new saddle is much heavier and harder to slip into and secure.

I think the suspenders are very comfortable esp. if I have a big saw sent up and usually on crane jobs. The big PITA is trying to get the suspenders on correctly behind the neck without being twisted. Once on right it's all good.

 

[tree MDS]

Yes MDS I have the padded suspenders. I generally only use this saddle and suspenders if I have a long climb of say 4 hours or more and if I am just up and down a lot of trees I use my cheapo saddle. The new saddle is much heavier and harder to slip into and secure.

I think the suspenders are very comfortable esp. if I have a big saw sent up and usually on crane jobs. The big PITA is trying to get the suspenders on correctly behind the neck without being twisted. Once on right it's all good.

Thanks for the info TV.

There is definitely a problem is with my sadddle sliding down (at least with just the d rings supporting me, its fine tied in above). I'm thinking it may be possible that its too big for me (of course theres the no azz thing too). My waist is 32", my saddle is a medium, baileys lists that saddle for a 32" - 36" waist. Maybe I should have waited until I found somewhere to try the small on, they list that as fitting 28" - 32"...

 

[treevet]

Thanks for the info TV.

There is definitely a problem is with my sadddle sliding down (at least with just the d rings supporting me, its fine tied in above). I'm thinking it may be possible that its too big for me (of course theres the no azz thing too). My waist is 32", my saddle is a medium, baileys lists that saddle for a 32" - 36" waist. Maybe I should have waited until I found somewhere to try the small on, they list that as fitting 28" - 32"...

There are other types of suspenders. My Eucman had a set and I have had other ones. The padded one adds weight and costs more. Whatever ....suspenders will cure your problem without any further saddle worries and not buying a new one. You have a good problem, be thankful you're not a fatso. I'll quote some genius I read somewhere...

"Those fat guys ain't gonna make it up there".

 

[D Mc]

Tree MDS, Take Tree Vet's advice. Just get some type of suspenders that will work for you. When you are on the edge of a size as you are it generally works out better to go large. The side D ring placement is much more comfortable slightly in front of your hips than on or behind.

Dave

 

[tree MDS]

Thanks again D Mc and TV, looks like I'm gonna do the suspender thing.

Gotta place a sherrill order soon anyhow.

 

[pdqdl]

... let me go take some sensitivity classes and a pc class oh and a creative writing class so that i can impress everyone on here with my class, style, and sensitive replies. ...

Nah. I like to read a good fight, so go ahead and keep it up. I would prefer that hit a few more of those "extra" buttons on the keyboard, though.

Like the Shift button for capitol letters, and those funny little spotty buttons on the right that enable you to insert punctuation.

Punctuate! It adds expression and force to your arguments. Savvy?

 

[Treetom]

I've been in the tree business for 30 years. At least 25 full time tree climbing years. My climbing tools are as simple as it gets; simple 4 D saddle, climbing rope with tail tied to my snap. I guess you young guns can call that old school. I take alot of pride doing the job right. Good for the trees, good for the customer, good for my ground crew. As the years creep up on my body, I'm having trouble with my hips aching when I'm sittin my saddle. So I decided to upgrade the old 4 D saddle to a new Buckingham master deluxe. I chose this saddle because I was hoping that the leg straps would run on a different part of my hips. The saddle does this well, BUT I must not have it adjusted very well. When I'm hanging in the saddle, it tries to crush my nuts. This takes a lot of joy out of my work. So here it is, old school needs advice from all you young guns out there using those saddles with legs straps instead of a butt seat. What am I doing wrong, or do all you guys have cast iron balls.

Bergertree, I too have certain pain and discomfort that come with age--mainly herniated disk at L4L5. What worked to alleviate the pain was, first and foremost, not doing what caused the pain, lifting heavy objects and such. Luckily for me, climbing is one of the best strengthening exercices I've found for this condition, keeps the back straight, for the most part, and tightens up the legs, butt and stomach. When work got slow last winter I joined the YMCA
to stay in shape. One of the best workouts for my back was a Yoga class I tried for a couple sessions. I discovered exercises and stretches that strengthen my back and allow me to work around the injury. Still can't lift for long periods, but I don't have to. That's what my employees are for. Sometimes we have to let them do the work. But it sounds like you want to continue to climb. There are many techniques I've learned on this site that have made climbing easier and safer. Good luck with the new saddle, which may somehow provide the answer to your hip pain. And maybe exercise will help with the source of the problem.