Why does nobody talk about how field walking ruins your back?

I spent last Saturday out in a soybean field near Knoxville doing a surface survey with my local archaeology group. Three hours of staring at the ground while hunched over and my lower back is still killing me four days later. Everyone raves about the pottery sherds we found (about 40 pieces of Woodland period plainware), but nobody warns you about the physical damage. Has anyone else had to modify their approach just to keep doing fieldwork past age 35?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy8171mo ago

Chronic back pain is part of the deal. Suck it up or hire a helper.

robinf511mo ago

I get that @nancy817, but I don't think pain is just something to shrug off.

the_grace1mo ago

Three weeks ago my buddy Mike was weeding a client's garden and bent down wrong. Felt something pop in his lower back and he couldn't stand up straight for like 10 minutes. He's 34 and in good shape, works out, definitely not someone who just needs to suck it up. Now he's seeing a chiropractor twice a week and had to cut his hours way back. @robinf51 you're right that pain shouldn't be treated like some badge of honor. Some people genuinely need help or equipment or a different approach, not just tough love advice. Nancy I get that you're trying to be practical but not everyone has the option to hire someone either.