I haven't shot since early December until yesterdaydue to back problems. I used to be able to hit a quarter at 20 yards, consistantly. My first shot missed the target completely, 2nd thru 4th shot in the 8 ringand I couldn't get any better than the 9 ring in 15 shots. I couldn't even group as well as I did last fall. My back was hurting to bad from the pain to shoot any more.

My question is could it have been the back pain that kept me from shooting as well as I used to , or was it lack of practice?

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

What if the "Hokey Pokey" really is what it's all about?

Probably both. If I don't shoot on a regular basis my shooting suffers. Back pain wil certainly cause you to change form to compensate.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

I would say a little of both, but more back pain. I have gone a long time w/o shooting before, but never been that far off. Ease back into it.

Jim

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You shootin compound, with sights? probably not due to lack of practice. You've gotta get those back muscles back in tune....take your time, work up to it...

I used to be able to whack quarters at 40yds....left 15cents change...

~Will Hunt For Food~

I will say both with 1 more added.

In your head you kept telling yourself to be careful of your back?? Right? If you were, you probablly wasn't concentrating on the shot as much as you would have been before the injury.

Turn the bow down about as far as it goes and just start shooting again. Or you can get some of that surgical tubing and pull it back as if you were pulling your bow back. Start exsercising those muscles and get them back in shape. You should notice a great improvement over time.....not overnight.


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I'm hoping you've been to the doctor and gotten checked over, thundermug. I've got the back from hell, so I know what you're up against. Hope it isn't permanent and you're able to work yourself back. Back off the draw weight, take things slow and easy and be patient.

Is it upper or lower back? Is see patients in my office who shoot alot of arrows who consistently have upper back pain due the the repetition of drawing the bow. Usually it is very manageable with a few chiropractic adjustments to get the spine working properly. Just my thoughts.

When my back was really bad I couldn't shoot for crap.Pain = little concentration.

I have to second trying the chiropractic treatments. Doctors all said my condition is hopeless and I'd have to learn to live with the pain. Started seeing a chiropractor a few months ago. My condition is still hopeless, but at least I'm getting some relief. Whether or not it's slowing the degenerative process, only time will tell.

ArthurP, I might have asked before what wrong with your back?