In need of help/opinions

[al221]

Guys I've been trying pretty hard the past few years and need the 'Advise'...here's the long end of it...broke my back several years ago. I bought a 50# old Shakespear Nacedah, practiced a short time and knew it wasnt the bow, it was me.
Had my first surgery and read a lot of stuff here on tradgang. It really motivated me to get going. Well the first surgery failed and I underwent a 2nd surgery w/ hardware fused into my low back.....continued to read and purchase tradional bowhunter magazines while recovering.l
Thought I might be up to the task of me getting to do some shooting (still not job hunting) but I needed to continue with the pursuit of archery, just recently bought a 35# bow (here on the forum as well) thinking after reading posts and getting help from an Administrator as far as bow types etc.been shooting that bow in my backyard every other day for maybe 30-45 minutes trying to work on form and techniques. My problem is I really have increased pain where the surgery was at. I'm kinda frustrated because of the pain and kinda feel embarrassed to go down any more on poundage.
I know I wouldn't be able to archery hunt this fall, but I thought if I worked on stance,release and the unused muscles that at least I would be more prepared than the previous season. I feel like I'm up then down and it bothers me because all  I want to do is shoot my bow and. Be on the hunt, have confidence,  be physically and mentally ready and to be thankful if a shot presented itself.
I am a die hard reloader for my firearms,but have had my hearts set on trade for a few years and want to eliminate that option. I've thought about maybe using a compound to see if that would help but I immediately dropped that idea as I want to pursue this Traditionally. Can you give me some ideas please? I have been stuck on 'trad only'for a couple of years and it seems like there is something in my back that won't let me see my vision through. Oh, I do want to mention  on the technique side I purchased Scott's tab, never using one before and  my groups improved with every shot. Of course my  small leather glove Was not a good grade glove to begin with, the tab really helped  me. Thanks for reading and maybe one of you went through something similar and you overcame it?

[heydeerman]

If you are feeling pain your body is trying to tell you something. Maybe it's "not yet" and "not ever". I broke a shoulder a few years back and started my trad archery re-hap by just pulling back about half way a 20 pound kids bow. I worked up to 30 pounds and eventually 40 so I could hunt. There is no shame in a 30 pound work out. You might have to make a few baby steps till you get to a hunting weight. If your injury ends up not letting you fulfill your vision...change it. I hunted with a crossbow the first season after the busted shoulder. It got me in the woods and meat in the freezer. No shame here. I'd do it again.

[YORNOC]

I have two disks giving me hell right now, so although I'm not nearly in your position, pain is pain and it sucks.
So much can be discussed here, but man you have to be SOOOO careful. Have you asked your physical therapists about it?  After breaking my hand last year, my therapist allowed me to bring my bow in to work with. She loved the idea, it gave her a new challenge.
Dont EVER even remotely worry about how much you pull. You can work your way up or down once you get as fixed up as you can.  Like a shooter whos overbowed, you will never get proper form if pulling too much and may not heal correctly.
Dont know if anyone recommended this but shoot a very long bow.  35# while shooting an old 68" Hoyt pro Medallist target bow(for example) is like shooting a 20-25# bow that is 60".
I currently cant shoot at all, but you bet I'll be drawing my kids bows long before I mess with my hunting bows.

What bow and specs are you shooting?  I'll see what I have kicking around, if I've got a target bow around here thats low enough I'll send it to you to use as long as you need it.  Its not like I'll be refinishing any of them any time soon so you might as well put it to good use.

[Rick Richard]

I am sorry to hear about your condition, but if this is your desire then I would not give up on it.  With that being said, there is no shame in reducing the poundage even further so you can continue shooting or even going to a compound if it does not cause pain. I think the key here is not to harm yourself while in the healing process.  If you feel pain, then the body is attempting to tell you something.

My $.02

[straitera]

Pain causes flinching. Is it pain from bow draw weight or technique or something other physical? Suggest you kill the pain first. Think about shooting lefthanded if unable to shoot pain free rh'ed.

[gringol]

You mentioned surgery in your lower back.  (Did I get that right?). If it is the lower back, it may not be the bow.  Try practicing from a chair.  Also 30-45 minutes may be too much.  Try just 10 arrows a day and make them as perfect as possible.  Take it slow, brother, and check with the doc.

[al221]

Thanks guys, I was hoping to hear something positive. I don't want to give up and was really hoping the pain maybe just soreness from not flexing them muscles its been a two year deal and I am fed up. But you guys shed some light on it! Thanks for the help, I truelly appreciate it.
Dave I will pull them out and pm or respond here on this post later on and your more than welcome to use/hold one of my bows until we get it solved!
HEYDEERMAN that was my idea process as well, I want to shoot so I will shoot what needs untill the strength is regained!
Physical therapy- four months and the agreed I was not improving to where I should be. Went in for spinal epidural and they discovered I had a torn ligament in lower back. So its either  go back in for surgery or try to let heal oneitherway its more, lIke and medical bills!

[YORNOC]

Heh, Andy I cant pull a bow back to save my life right now! Send me one of your bows and all I'll do is drool on it!
I've got about 40 or so to refinish (all belong to me) right now,and I'm in no shape to even make it down the stairs to refinish anything so it wont be missed. Use one as long as you want.
[email protected]. Talk to you later.

[onewhohasfun]

In May of 2010 I had $45,000 worth of titanium installed in my back. L4, L5 and S1. Don't know when your surgery was, but it takes 12 months for the fusion to be complete. Nicotene retards this process. I was on 20 lbs. weight restriction for a year. Don't rush it. If you stress your fusion before it is complete the screws may loosen. I now am able to shoot the same weight bows as before my injury.

Good luck,

[Bill Carlsen]

After I had open rotator cuff surgery about 25 years ago i had a lot of pain after shooting. For what it is worth, if I iced my shoulder right after shooting the pain was alleviated.

[lpcjon2]

Originally posted by onewhohasfun:
In May of 2010 I had $45,000 worth of titanium installed in my back. L4, L5 and S1. Don't know when your surgery was, but it takes 12 months for the fusion to be complete. Nicotene retards this process. I was on 20 lbs. weight restriction for a year. Don't rush it. If you stress your fusion before it is complete the screws may loosen. I now am able to shoot the same weight bows as before my injury.

Good luck,

March 7th I have my L5 and S1 surgery fusion scheduled, My fear is that I will not be able to shoot my 70# bows anymore. The doctor said it would be fine but who knows. Its all part of life and we have to take it with stride. I will have to back down in weight till I strengthen up and can move up.Don't quit or give up! life's to short for that.Its mind body and soul working together, you would be amazed at what you can do when you put them together.Good luck.

[Keefer]

Andy and Tim,
  I had my L-5 s-1 surgery about 4 or 5 years ago and also had cadaber disk fused in..I still have the titanium hardware and it took me about 6 months to a year before I was able to shoot without pain..I like to sit and shoot cause it doesn't hurt as bad and I hunt the ground as much as possible...I also have other back problems with my L 2 AND 3 and just need to be easy on what I can shoot without pain..I stay between 43 and 50 # max cause that's mostly do to a severed hand that I had reattached from a logsplitter accident and my back as well..I know my limits and deal with them but if your body is telling you to stop then stop and take a break for a few weeks...Work on your form and only shoot what's comfortable then hang up your bow and rest...I shoot much better shooting from a stool or my Huntmore 360 chair and my pain was less ...A lighter bow will be the smart way to go then build up so you are on the right track.. Keefers <><

[al221]

Thanks for the information guys, my 2nd surgery was an l-5 S-1 with titanium, 7 screws with two plates. Sounds like some of you have been there. Appreciate the help. Dave I will get a hold of you!
Good luck to you lpcjon 2! I wish you a full recovery.
Heck I wish you all recover and have no pain! It has kinda controlled my life for the past two years, I just want to feel no pain and be in the great outdoors!
Thanks again  everyone!

[7 Lakes]

I build at least 10 bows a year in the 20 lb range for guys that didn't listen when their body says "it hurts".  Most of them have hurt themselves so bad they will never pull a hunting weight bow again.  You have to look at archery as a life time sport.  Don't ruin the life time aspect with some notion of low bow weight is unmanly.

[al221]

Straitera-I don't feel too bad when at full draw, I am always in pain so its hard to determine.The pain  just seems to increase/double  after shooting some and then when I call it after a session the pain doubles. Maybe I can try your suggestion and try to shoot left handed.

7 lakes-thanks! I'm trying to go the route you stated, I think the 50# is going on the wall for awhile. Im fortunate, I think fellow Trad member YORNOC is gonna help me with a lighter/longer set up.

I appreciate your guys help and suggestions! I have read all responces and hope I didn't miss anyone. Thank you all again.

Andy

[Bud B.]

Originally posted by gringol:
You mentioned surgery in your lower back.  (Did I get that right?). If it is the lower back, it may not be the bow.  Try practicing from a chair.  Also 30-45 minutes may be too much.  Try just 10 arrows a day and make them as perfect as possible.  Take it slow, brother, and check with the doc.

I was thinking the same thing...shoot from a chair...and then read this post from gringol.

Standing for any length of time with back problems only increases the risk of pain. I've been fortunate to have been able to put off surgery due to following doctor's orders. The surgery is inevitable, but so far all is OK.

It may be a long recovery, but go light and hunt squirrels when you can.

A speedy recovery to you in spite of any setbacks or hurdles. Hang in there!

[al221]

Thanks Bud B, I will try what you and gringol suggested from the chair and I think you guys are right about maybe shortening my session. Best of luck on your surgery! If you need or have any questions about post-op feel free to contact me any time. I also hope you have a great wife to help you recover,I couldn't have done anything without my wife.
Thanks all!