zak123

Woooo buddy! What kind of Franks are you eating? I am talking about the typical corndog, not some gargantuan beheamith!

BigJ71

I too am living with a bad back. I have both herniated and bulging discs as well and I bow hunt. Even when it gets real bad and I have shooting pains down both of my legs into my feet I can still draw my bow.....can't walk that well but can draw. It's not allways that bad for me, I try to keep in shape and that helps. Most of peoples back problems are muscle related. Get your back as strong as you can and get some meds from your doc to reduce the inflamation.

Stalking might pose a problem but if you hunt from a blind or stand you shoul be able to enjoy bowhunting.

BTW......drawing a long or recurve is not easier than a compound, don't let the lower draw weight fool you. I would much rather shoot 100 shots with my 70lbcompound (easy) than with a 50lb long/recurve bow any day. You see the actual act of drawing is not as hard as holding at full draw for the time to get on target and make a good shot. You see your muscles are in movement and that is not as taxing on them as when they are static, ie holding at full draw. Holding a compound with 65% and up let off is way easier than holding 50lb with 0% let off. Now repeat that 100 times and you will see just how hard it is to hold and keep it"on target" after about oh........60 shots or so.

alwyshntn

That corndog thing still has me rollin where in the HE!! did that come from

deertale

Zach I like that side by side line of ketchup and mustard

zak123

I am sorry. I remembered that the topic came up with a guy with bad shoulders. I do not know if a recurve will be easier on your back.

heeze gutshot shortee

There are back support braces available..see a physical therapists. Decrease bow poundage..31 lbs will kill an animal

On an entirely different note...How many extra pounds are you carrying in front....My experience in this matter is that ones stomach muscles also play a key role in freeing one up from back issues..So never mind the corn dogs and loose some pounds...NO JOKE.. NO PUT DOWN ...JUST FACTS. How many of you bad back guyz have been told by your doctor...."you could stand to loose a few pounds"..But instead you sit around,,lay around oh my back ..oh my back..LIKE your are totally helpless...but always make it to the dinner table... never experience those missed meal cramps......I say this to you with all due respect.. but in the end its your life and your decisions ..Remember this when you draw back that refridgerator door and pull out those beers and cakes and sweet rolls..Or pull into the burger joint and SUPERSIZE IT..
And for those who are in better shape and have back issues...as sad as it is for you to hear ..IT MAY BE TIME FOR YOU TO LET IT GO ..ITS BEEN A GOOD RUN..YOUVE HAD YOU BETTER DAYS>THANK GOD FOR THE TIMES AND MEMORIES.. PASS IT ON TO THE YOUNGUNS
OR>>>>>>>>>>USE THAT DAMN GUN >>GET OFF THE COUCH AND INTO THE HUNT PEACE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS

BigJ71

This is not necessarily true. I know some people who are in the best shape of their lives and still live with back pain I also know some who could stand to lose a few pounds and also live with back pain. Iknowa few people who need to lose alot of weight and have never ever had as much as a sore back much lessextreme pain.

While you are correct by saying your stomach muscles play a big role in torso stabilization it does nothing for back pain "flare ups" This is usually caused by inflamatin or damage of back muscles that allow the disc to move slightly and thus putting pressure against the nerve. This is when you feel the "shooting pains" down your legs. Those who have suffered from accidents or in my case football injuries have damaged those small muscle groups that hold the discs inline in the vertebrate.

It only takes a wrong move to strain those muscles causing severe pain. If you are talking cronic aching lower back painthen yes lose some pounds from the front and you will feel much better, but if you have disc problems, losing pounds will help but it's no way near the cause of the problem nor the cure for that matter.

You need to strengthen those muscles but more importantly you need to stop the inflamation in those muscle groups and in the pockets surrounding the spine and discs. This is why cortisone shots help because it does just that. Physical therapy is also a great way toboth releive and strengthen those muscles. If you haven't damaged the muscles or discs too bad then you can relieve the pain, but if you are badley damaged then you may need an operation.

I hope you can get your back pain under control, there is nothing worse. I just had both my right and left knees operated on in the last month 7-25-05 and 8-29-05 and I would go through 10 more rather than have disc pain. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

You can have an active lifeandyes even bowhunt but you need to do something about your back or it will just get worse. I wish you the best.

heeze gutshot shortee

BIG J we are both right ..read me agin....see physical therapist..etc. Im not coming down on anyone.... I feel for them...Thats why I said use a gun.,or give it up...Cycle of life.....we cant always do what we did always..Im gittin old too. And need some viagra..HAR HAR

12ga.Rem870

I would say go for it!! I know a guy that has a really bad back and he bow hunts every year. I broke my leg riding motocrossback in the summer I still can't walk but I plan on bow hunting.

willtill

I damaged my lower spine while in the Army. In 1996, I underwent 2 lamindectomies and posterior fusion of L4-L5-S1 with 6 pedicle screws and three titanium rods, along with a bone graft from my hip,

While I was fine after that for about 5 years, I am in constant pain from it, sciatia mostly in the right leg.

Using the bow is not the hard part. As someone had stated above, getting arounfd in the woods can be tough. I have been graduating from 26 lb climbers, now down to a 17 pounders, and a TreeSuit as well. My problem is bending deeply and carrying a load on my back for long distances.

Back pain is one of the most debilitating pains that can happen. Take your pain meds and aspirins, get by as best as you can. When I've got a deer underneath me, the pain goes away. For that moment. For that golden moment.

Kindest Regards,

-Will in Maryland