Swollen, very bloated fingers

[jrosado1]

I just did a training 8 mile walk with my pack on. My fingers swelled up so bad that bending them cut off circulation. I googled the symptom to make sure I was having kidney failure or something, and it turns out its probably just an electrolyte imbalance hat a ports drink would fix. Whew!

Here's a link in case anyone else experiences this and wants to know
http://walking.about.com/cs/med/a/swollenhands.htm

 

[Kitsambler]

Using walking sticks of some sort also serve to keep your hands elevated more, reducing the swelling problem.

 

[wonzi]

When I first started my training, I noticed my fingers would swell quite a bit, and then i was given a gift of Pacer Poles! Thank you, my friend, and once I started using the poles I have never experienced any swelling. I attribute it to the movement of my hands and poles together. Love those poles!

 

[SYates]

Make also sure that your backpack is adjusted the right way and the shoulder straps don't cat in and affect the circulation. Basically, when carrying your backpack all the weight should be on your hips and the shoulder straps should only hold your backpack in place, but you shouldn't feel a burden on your shoulders. That and keeping my hands up helps me a lot, SY

 

[Javelino]

Dear Lise
If you say: I do not want to raise my hips in order to lengthen my steps, you do not have to wink