Lower back pain

[JL]

The lower back is a tricky thing. Be sure to have a qualified doc take a good look at your MRI. I know back pain also, been living with it, every day, for years. I have a degenertive disc in the L5 that puts pressure on the cyitic nerve. There is one constant in my life-my back is going to hurt- it just varies in intensity from day to day. My doc didn't sugar coat it. He said him himself lives with the same condition and you deal with it untill it starts effecting your daily life then you have to explore your options. The trick is to not damage the sheathing around the nerve as that will not repair itself-ever. Nerve pain is no joke, throw in some 2x4 snapping spasm's and your in for a grand ole time.

Get it checked out and keep an eye on it. I don't know how much shooting a bow lends into it ( I mainly use upper back while shooting). Keep your core strong and use your head when lifting heavy items. Don't be bull headed. If it's heavy, get another set of hands involved. Heck, I remember I bent over to turn the water spicot on and was laid out flat on the sidewalk. Took over a week to recover from that one. Simple things get you sometimes for no rhyme or reason. Hope it's something simple and you recover quickly and fully.

Regards

[Eric Krewson]

Lots of lower back problems here. First off don't do the seal like stretch recommended, it will make you worse and may injure you.

Chiropractors helped me at first then it went the other way. The $1800, 6 months worth of  treatment on the fancy machine that decompresses your spine helped slightly but opened my eyes to what the real problem was. I was old, had always worked out but didn't stretch or do exercises that targeted the problem area of my back.

Here is what I recommend. Get your MRI results and find out what is really happening. Talk to your doctor about what kind of rehabilitation exercises you need. Do them three times a week whether you want to or not for the rest of you life and you will be more than likely pain free and a new person.

My problem was a bulging disc at L-5 S-1. I went on the internet and looked up L-5 S-1 rehabilitation exercises and stretching, worked me out a program(takes about 15 minutes)and have stuck with it for the last 2 years.

It took about 6 months to loosen up and strengthen my back but I am now completely pain free. I couldn't walk to the mail box when I started my rehabilitation.

I cut and drug 16 blight killed red oak trees out of my woods yesterday by myself. No pain only a little tired from all the stooping and wrestling with my heavy chain saw.

[LKH]

I am RH but also pull my bow LH to keep my muscles in balance.  I believe it helps prevent injuries.  I have back problems, but they are related to disc degeneration.  Pulling bow doesn't seem to affect me.

[pumatrax]

Hey Gordon ; I SEE you're a power plant worker and we are the same age..might be a coinkidink but I've had two lower back surgeries (L4 & L5)..been shooting bows for about 35 years...I think shooting is actually good for the back ; and it's good for the mind as well. I'm bettin' it's work related ; most problems are.HOPE you're not overweight...that's a contributing factor as well...anyhoo KEEP ON SHOOTING !!!

[Matt Stuckey]

the extension stretch described can be very beneficial for those with the appropriate problem, for others extension can be detrimental, get the results from the MRI and your doctor and proceed with the recommendations he or she provides.

[cooncrazy]

yea ive had two hurniated and 3 bulging disc in my back also had to stop shooting my heaver bows and just shoot 45 to 50 lbs now   heat always worked for me i couldnt handel the ice just take it easy i lost 20 percent of feeling in my left leg because i woulndnt slow down now i know when im over doing it good luck

[Gordon Jabben]

Thanks for all the information.  When I see what most of you have went through, I wonder if I'm not being a bit of a baby.  Pintail drake falling two and one half stories and running a nail in his eye. My, that's tough.  I am able to get in to see the chiropractor first, but before I take any advise from them, I want to see the medical doctor.  I believe he is pretty sold on exercise like most of you.
It looks like most of you have managed to come up with a way to continue the sport you love and I plan to do likewise.
Thanks again