Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I am among the millions of us who has some serious back issues, to the point where it drives me home time and time again, long before my passion does. Over the past few days I have been trying to come up with some ideas on how to help remedy that problem, and would like anything that some of you may use currently, or maybe it's just an idea I/we could try.

I was thinking about a board at a 90 from the tree a 6" or so, then have that angle back towards my head at a 45...maybe screwing on some straps to sturdy it up? What do ya think?

Are there any treestands in particular that ya'll have found to be extremely supportive?

Thanks in advance.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

i was gunna say a padded back cushion tied 2 the tree. if u made it tall enough it would also work standing up

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Some one on here suggested several lower back excerises to me once, forgot who it was.
Besides those I've found a camo cushion between my lower back and the tree helps.
Being able to sit sometimes and stand others is a help for me. In the old days where I just stood there for hours, it was near torture.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

rookelkhunter,

I recently got rid of a Tree Lounge because I like to be more mobile in the woods than that thing was prone to be. It's heavier and not as quiet to set up as alot of other stands, but I've spent many 12, 13 and 14 hour days in that thing. You recline in it like a Lazy Boy and I've never experienced aches or pains while on stand with it. If tree stand comfort is a priority for you, you may want to give it a look.

Fritz

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

SUMMIT VIPER XLS--4 out of 5 chiropractors recommend it[8D]:eek:

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I don't have any real back problems, so I can't really understand fully what does or does not affect your pain.
However I've found that with any treestand, a sling seat is the most comfortable for me, whether I sit for 1 hour or all day. Not sure if that helps you much on your quest. Good luck with your back:)

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Picking a stand with a higher seat height may help. I've got a couple of stands and I've found the higher the seat the more likely I am to have good posture and less back pain. Stands with shorter seat heights tend to make me slouch and my low back will develope pain. I don't normally have back problems but have observed this in the field.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

The best remedy is strong abs. The stronger your abs the more support your torso has and the less pressure going to your back. Slow steady crunches using a fitball will do wonders. Also lower back excercises. Check with a local physical therapy dept. and they should be able to give you illustrations and advice on excercises. This saved my bow season last year after a back injury in late summer.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

The majority of back aches are cause by overextension of the back muscles. The easiest way for the back to overextend itself is to provide support where the stomach muscles play a role. For instance instead of sitting up in bed to get out (using your abdominals) you roll on your side and stomach to slide out of bed and stand up using your back muscles to straighten your back. Your abdominals and your back extensors work as a team. Without your back muscles you could not straighten at the back. You would bend over and stay bent over. Must of us slump in the car seat, couch, recliner, chair at work or whenever we are upright. If most of us went and ran 2 miles at a hard pace our lungs and legs would bark at us telling us to quit. When your back has no option of slumping and is forced to sit upright for a long period of time it complains. Back extensions will strengthen the lower back and get it into shape. But, as you strengthen your back you must also work its partner the abdominals. Leg lifts will be the opposite of back extensions. I do believe the best way to avoid your back ache is to catch yourself slumping and straighen up. Tell your wife or friends of your goal and have them catch you as well. you won't believe how much of your day you are sitting lazy. Make the change today and enjoy a more comfortable "stand sit" this year.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Thanks to all, I appreciate your feedback.

I probably should have been a tad more specific about myself. I am 32 and (I know this sounds a little ignorant given the following) very healthy with the exception of chronic back pain that has plagued me since a car accident in grad school. I've had three back surgeries and been in therapy on and off for all of those 7 years. I am still walking (in and out of water) everyday and have continued to do ball and ab work throughout. I am also on the cusp of having a pace maker (called 'Stimulator', but very much like a pace maker) 'installed' in a few weeks after a semi-successful week long trial. All of your theories on abdominal strength are dead-on accurate, and I hope someone reading this thread can benefit from that advice, as it can/could be a life changer.

I suppose I am looking to acquire ideas on quality treestands with good back support, or possibly some 'backyard' type ideas I could make in the woodshop that may offer a solid, angled back support separate from a standard stand.

Again, I appreciate all of your comments and ideas.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I had back problems ( for years) and surgery for it several years ago. I see you are doing all the things you should do to strenghten your back. That's great.

I use a SUMMIT VIPER XLS that came with a strap on seat and back pad. It works great for me.
If I recall Big Buck Branagan (sp) had his wife make up a seat for him because of a bad back. He may be a resource for you.
My back is far from perfect but Im day to day pain free. Just some nerve problems from the damage that effect my legs.
I can spend all day, sunrise to sunset in my stand and it's more than likely that my butt will get sore before my back does with my Viper:)

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I am 48 and have the same problem. I have found 2 things that help. When I hunt in a tree I only hunt the first or last 2 hours of prime time. All day hunts are sadly gone forever. I can tolerate 2 hours of pain for a chance of being a hero. Also if you hunt the ground you can move around from time to time to loosen up more so than in a tree. I have also found that hunting the ground is not so bad. I can judge distance better on the ground than in a tree. Probably because I rarely practice from a tree. Anyway, hope this helps.
PS If you find a cure please let me know.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I have arthritis in my lower back and some says I don't hurt (much) other days...anywho...I bought a Summit Cobra and now I can sit for 6-8 hours. It is very light for the trip in, and it is very comfortable. From what I hear Summit makes the most comfortable stand around.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Everyone please be careful when following the "strong abs" help ease back pain theories.

Ab strength is a definate bonus but you have to understand that you have 4 muscle groups all working as a team to keep your lower spine mechanically functional.

Those muscle groups are the abs, low back, quads, and hamstrings. Any weakness or excess strength in that chain and you can have adverse effects. It is very important to remember that developing one group and neglecting another will result in imbalance.

The quads recipricate with the low back and the hams with the abs..........so strong abs is just a piece of the puzzle.

The lumbar spine curves forwards in a normal lordosis. Strong abs that overpower the other groups will result in a decrease in this lordosis=not good. In the opposite spectrum, strong lumbar muscles alone will cause an increased lordosis=not good.

The best advice.........just like any other topic is a good overall program that focuses on total body fitness (the extra lbs in a belly stress a low back all day long).

Most relief obtained from low back excersises in the acute stage is from just re-establishing a proper range of motion. Long term relief is usually not the result of one magic potion (crunches, stretching, weight loss...etc) it is more often a combo of many of them.


Most importantly is getting a proper diagnosis as to what actually is wrong with you. You will be much better off once you are confident that you know what the problem is and therefore better able to directly address it.


Look up the McKenzie excersises for low back pain and try them out. They are simple, low impact and not time consuming.

They are worth a try that's for sure.


On the stand topic...........a foot rail is a nice option for stand comfort. Helps take stress off lower body.

I have a Summit Goliath and it is as comfortable as I can imagine a stand being. They have the Revolution which looks even more comfy. Check it out.



Best of Luck

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I think what would be perfect is if you could make a pillow case out of a quiet, camo, waterproof cloth, and put a pillow in it and strap it to the tree behind you.;)

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

If you can still haul a treestand into the woods and get it up a tree, your back ain't all that bad.;) I keep my decrepit self on the ground so I can move around and keep my back from stiffening up.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I do not have a back problem. However, sitting in most treestands, especially "hang-stands," for an extended period will fatigue even the best back. Most stands will never win an award for ergonomic design.

Most stand seats and/or platforms, especially the hanging type:

ï€* Are too narrow in depth to allow positioning your body so that you can find the natural curvature of your spine.
ï€* Are too shallow to allow using a lumbar support.
ï€* Are too low to allow you to correctly distribute your weight to your butt, and stresses your back muscles.
ï€* Have shallow (small) platforms that play a role in incorrect positioning and (body) weight distribution.

In addition, the lean of the tree usually dictates the lean of your torso.

The most comfortable stand I ever used was my "Grizzly" ladder stand. It had plenty of platform area, I could lean the stand to obtain a comfortable position, and I used a padded rifle support that I could rest my arms on or lean forward to rest my back. It (rifle support) was also very useful for laying a loaded bow on. Someone also liked the stand; it was stolen.

Now, when I plan to sit for a prolonged period, I use my butt-pack as a lumbar support, I have two foam-rubber pads glued together to sit on, and I wear a back-support belt.

http://www2.northerntool.com/category/97632/

For real comfort, I use my ground blinds and sit in a padded folding chair.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

903, I couldn't agree more, and yes, I found my crippled 33-yr. old butt in a ground blind as well, sitting in a full sized chair. I suppose because I grew up hunting in treestands, I almost felt like I was cheating sitting in a comfortable chair! ;) When visiting a buddy last year I sat for the first time in his ladder stand, I was VERY surprised how spacious and comfy it was.

I suppose my next question is a follow-up to my last statement to current ladder stand users. Have you ever felt you have spooked deer as a result of the stand itself? I don't know why, but I guess I always thought they were geared more towards the rifle hunter for shooting at longer distances, so the ladder made little difference. Right? Wrong?

903, in my first post I kinda touched on a few problems you mentioned. What do ya think about building almost a very small ramp looking contraption, with the pointed end aimed at the sky? Possibly cutting some half moons with a jig so it hugs the tree a little, then screwing on a strap? I'm just thinking that having a solid/flat back support from my sacrum to my upper back would be flat out heavenly!

A lot of very good ideas fellas, keep them coming! Please know how much I appreciate the time spent expressing your ideas,etc., it means alot.

Chad

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I had back surgery in May of 03 and I used the TREE LOUNGE climber alot this year. Most comfortable stand Ive ever used. If comfort is your main concern I would check these types of stands.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

rookelkhunter:

In addition to "hang stands," I use commercial (metal) ladder stands and fabricated wood stands that have 2 x 4 supports with 2 x 4 steps. I cannot say that I have ever detected that a ladder stand spooked a deer. In fact, two seasons past, as I approached one of my commercial ladder stands, I observed that there was a doe lying on the ground beneath my stand, between the ladder section and the tree.

I do put up my commercial ladder stands about two months before deer season. I also break up the stand by tying strips of rubberized camo net/leaves on stand.

If I am not in a ground-blind -dependent upon where I know the deer will move, my next preference is a ladder stand. However, many bowhunters do not have access to areas where ladders stands can be used and left, and/or are not convenient to use.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

I broke 4 vertebrea in 98 and have a plate in my back along with fused t-7 thru t-11. I have had great luck with a back support brace (like the ones folks wear for work. These are cheap and have really helped me out while on stand and then afterward while taking care of a harvest) and I do have a Tree Lounge as well as many other stands. The thing that has worked best for me with my Tree Lounge is to set it up like a FIXED stand and leave it. That way I can climb up and down my "rapid rails" (any ladder system or step system will work) to and from it and not have to make all the noise the lounge makes while climbing into a tree.

I also have many other stands that I use for morning and evening hunts, with the back brace on I can stand to sit for 4-5 hours comfortably. I have sit all day in these fixed stands as well, but I prefer the Tree lounge for my all day sits...so I put that stand in an area I KNOW I am gonna want to sit all day.. especially during the rut. Its also really helpful for me to be in the best shape I can be in ...with my back..when I put on a few extra pounds, I notice it in my back immediately...

Good Luck,
Shed

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Thanks Shed. I have never seen a tree lounge in person and have always heard pretty good things about them, but always from gun hunters. I have always steered clear because they looked difficult to get in/out of? And Shed, you'd be the guy to ask given your history.

If I may ask, what happened? Car accident? I was thrown out the back window and was luckily (yes, and I mean it) caught in mid air by a barbed wire fence after a pretty decent toss. Doc's said that fence probably saved my life. I am currently battling our insurance company to pay for a stimulator.....not fun. It's funny that I really only got one good sized cut down my leg by one barb, yet every time I try to cross a fence I manage to end up bleeding and tear at two items of clothing!!! :)

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

20-25 feet up is all I need. Comfort can come when I get home. :D If you get too comfy you start falling asleep. [&:] Really, some light exercises done properly and some isometrics in the tree will keep you fresh. You don't need to beable to do 200 situps or lift 5,000 pounds. Just some light workouts and some frisky walks followed by some light stretches and you're good to go.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

David, no offense, but it it quite obvious you don't have the slightest indication what real or chronic back pain is. Folks with serious back pain do have the option, nor the desire of "beable to do 200 situps or lift 5,000 pounds." Most everyone with chronic back pain is involved in a daily stretching/cardio routine that affords them enough relief to do some daily activities with a lesser amount of discomfort. I am not looking for a stand to sleep in, I am trying to gather ideas that might enable me to sit on stand for more than two hours without having to leave biting my lip in the hopes of avoiding shedding 'tears of pain'. I am looking for something that would allow me to sit in one position for more than 2 minutes before having to shift my weight in an attempt to get comfortable...obviously this equates to movement and seeing fewer animals.

I could be completely incorrect. And if that is the case, I will get off the table in a few weeks and simply tell the surgeon I am opting to climb a tree instead, and explain how the medical field as a whole is missing the boat on this newfound 'Miller's hieght relief pain program'.

Just a little side bar. I would put some serious coin on a bet to meaure your 20-25 feet. I have met quite a few guys who make that claim, please don't misunderstand me, they honestly believe they are up that high, but in reality they are at 13-15 ft.. Twenty-five feet is not only high, in my estimation, too high. At that height it would be awfully difficult to get the angle on deer, unless you were planning on a ninja drop from the tree in the hopes of breaking his back with your fall! :D No offense David, as some people just have a tough time estimating heights.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Rook, you might be extremely surprised at how high people get in a tree. 20-25 feet is not unusual especially down here in Florida, and the S.E. in general. I find myself at least 20 feet up when I hunt because at those heights you CAN move and NOT get busted. As for measuring? No not with a ruler but rather with my pull rope that I use to bring my bow and backpack up with. It's 30 feet long and by the time I tie everything on it and tie it around my stand, and then climb the tree until the rope has no slack left in it and I feel the weight of my stuff, I know I'm that high.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

WHAT?!?!?! Are you serious? I stand corrected. I hope I didn't come off like a know-it-all, as I was only speaking from years and years on stand in Iowa/SD when we rarely would get above 15 feet or so.

Why and how are you that high? How do you get angles? I rememember introducing a buddy to bowhunting a ton of years ago, and he went out later to build a stand without me. The following week we went out to hunt this same area where I had a stand placed as well. We went our separate ways and mid-morning I took off to where he said he built it. I walked in the area and scanned every tree around, but nobody to be seen. I normally don't call out people's names, but at this point I thought it may be necessary...I called out and heard a faint, "Chaaaaad, up here" from above. I looked up, and this guy had built this stand about 40 feet up in this tree, and then throw on his height of 6"9" and that is flat out scary!!! And to add to my terror, he only used about three steps to get up/down, and was jumping from branch to branch....unreal. I was like, "what the....". He honestly didn't know any better, as I must not have been specific enough about height.....ya think!!! He was a little embarrassed, but I was just glad he wasn't hurt in the process.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Rookelk,

No problem, I broke my back in a football accident. I hear ya on the insurance and chronic pain. I use to quietly wonder about the guys that said they had bad backs and couldnt do much.....then it happened to me...what an eye opener... I realized once you damage your back, your center of strength and motion if really affected. On the other hand some folks really milk it too. So there are both sides. For me I work out religiously and hike a ton to stay in good shape. As for hunting, I don't let it hinder me in anyway, I just have to prepare a little different than someone that has a good back.

Best of luck.. with your condition and hunting..

Shed

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

There are several reasons we will go that high...
1: deer DO look up down here.
2: pine trees are straight and don't have branches until you are there.
3: cover; other trees that are not pines that grow near and the branches with leaves will overlap and help conceal you.

As for as the angle of shooting? Well, one hunts the same area and knows where the deer travel, and you pick out a few landmarks that are equidistant from your stand. These are the only areas you shoot a deer and you clear any twigs and branches from your shooting lanes. All you have to do is sight in on one target before hunting season, and when you practice at home you shoot 2 arrows...where they hit is where you want all arrows to hit from now on. But remember your aiming spot is different. This way when you are in the tree and you aim for the kill zone, you hit the kill zone. Sounds strange, but it works.

RE: Treestand backaches...let's pool our ideas.
 

Rookie.... I have a stretched out 20 foot haul line attached to my stand. I seldom stop until the bow is off the ground. If the bow gets 5 feet off the ground I say I'm 25 feet up. I doubt the rope is 20 anymore... probably 21.:D No, I don't have back problems, but in the past 3 years I've had leg surgury, heart surgury and am in need of some brian repair. My feet are a mess and they say the only cure is more surgury. It ain't happening until I can't walk. They're uncomfortable and a pain, but I get buy.

As far as how high people go. I tell this tongue in cheek but it's pretty accurate. The first time I took Len as a guest to my woods I walked him in, pointed to a tree, pointed out where the deer would come from and left. I said see you at dark. It was only a short walk to the truck but he insisted I come and get him. I get down when my pins are hard to see. I gathered my gear, walked to the truck, dumped my climber and bow and walked in to pick him up. It was now what I call "Dark Thirty". When I get about 75 yards from the stand I turned on a small light so I wouldn't get shot. I walked to the tree and looked up, .... NO LEN. I shined the light around the ground looking for a stand, arrow, blood anything. Nothing!!! I called out "LEN". I heard a faint answer but couldn't see him. I looked around.... NOTHING. It was then that I spotted what I though was the landing lights from a 747 making an approach to BWI Airport passing over Lens tree. It was LEN's flashlight.[:-][:-]:eek: I know how high I had been in that tree the one time I sat in it. He was easily twice as high.... probably 40 feet. People do go high.