Using a Saddle After Back Surgery

[akira7799]

So, I've been using a saddle for a season and a half. I love the saddle for a multitude of reasons, some of which are the mobility, packability, camouflage, lightness, and comfort. Well, there's one more benefit to now add to the list, comfort after back surgery.

In June of this year I had an L4/L5 discectomy. There's a ton of uncertainty and worry prior to surgery. Some of which were related to my newfound love of saddle hunting and if I'd be able to continue saddle hunting post-surgery.

Well, after two sits this year, one of 7 hours, the other of 8 hours, I'm happy to say that my back is completely comfortable in the saddle.

I obviously cannot speak for all saddle hunters who've had back surgery, but if you're in pain and need surgery; get the surgery--you'll hopefully be back to a normal pain-free day in a reasonable amount of time.

Surgery is a serious decision, but I'm hoping to allay some of the fears people might have that would prevent them from getting surgery. The short-term setback of post-surgical pain and recovery is far outweighed by pain free days of the future.

The simple fact for me is this: if I didn't have surgery in June, there is no way I would have been able to hunt at all this fall. I wouldn't have been able to hunt from a ground-blind, let alone a saddle.

Be safe and happy hunting.

 

[redsquirrel]

Glad everything is working out for you!

I suffer from lower back pain. I am not at the point where I need surgery, but hunting in a saddle is as comfortable as can be with no pain. Sitting in a chair gets old quickly for me, and I could never imagine hunting out of a treestand again.

 

[kenn1320]

Lower back pain here as well and unfortunately I get pain from the saddle as well.

 

[redsquirrel]

Lower back pain here as well and unfortunately I get pain from the saddle as well.

What type of back problems do you have ken?

 

[kenn1320]

Lower back pain here as well and unfortunately I get pain from the saddle as well.

What type of back problems do you have ken?

Supposedly none, but every fall it seems to go out. Something about sitting wrong for long periods of time and getting cold. Ill bend wrong and it feels like a buzz or tear and I either hit the ground and can't walk, or know in about 4hrs ill be torqued sideways and need to see a chiro for several weeks. Ive had it go out just bending over to quick wash my hair in a sink back in my younger days. I have a desk job which doesn't help(weak muscles). Back in my 20's I was doing seated cable rows and felt/heard a pop and it seemed like my belly button flew out and hit the machine, although it obviously didn't. I dropped the weights and was never the same after that. Saw a specialist the last time it went out, he said nothing wrong and sent me to physical therapy. I do the stretches and one excersice they taught me whenever I feel an episode coming on and its helped. I recently bought one of those benches you bend over and do reverse type sit up(back extension). I do 10 a day so I don't over do it and that seems to be helping.

 

[redsquirrel]

Supposedly none, but every fall it seems to go out. Something about sitting wrong for long periods of time and getting cold. Ill bend wrong and it feels like a buzz or tear and I either hit the ground and can't walk, or know in about 4hrs ill be torqued sideways and need to see a chiro for several weeks. Ive had it go out just bending over to quick wash my hair in a sink back in my younger days. I have a desk job which doesn't help(weak muscles). Back in my 20's I was doing seated cable rows and felt/heard a pop and it seemed like my belly button flew out and hit the machine, although it obviously didn't. I dropped the weights and was never the same after that. Saw a specialist the last time it went out, he said nothing wrong and sent me to physical therapy. I do the stretches and one excersice they taught me whenever I feel an episode coming on and its helped. I recently bought one of those benches you bend over and do reverse type sit up(back extension). I do 10 a day so I don't over do it and that seems to be helping.

I hear you. I have had similar problems and I'm constantly fighting it. Sitting is the worst for me and unfortunately I'm at a desk most of the day as well. I saw a chiropractor who specialized is ART, and that has really helped me. The ART helped me more than any of the regular chiro stuff and he also gave me exercises and stretches to do, the ab stuff helps me the most as far as exercises. This is similar to the stretch that helps me the most, it stretches a muscle from the front of my leg into my abs and when I stretch that muscle it helps release all of the pressure pulling things onto the nerves in my spine.

I saw that doctor for the first time in january 2014, had my last episode of a "thrown out back" in march 2014, and I haven't been back to see him since december 2014 and I just do the exercises and stretches on my own as needed. I also had bad sciatica down my left leg that it has helped with.
Here is a link to ART and how I found my doctor: http://www.activerelease.com/index.asp

Sorry to hear about your pain, I hope it gets better!

 

[slickyboyboo]

2 yrs ago I had a L5/S1 discectomy, and just recently switched to a Guido's Web. It's one of the only hunting setups I've found that I can sit in for extended periods. The other is a millennium M-100.


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[Maustypsu]

Red, you look cute with long hair and tights.

 

[redsquirrel]

Red, you look cute with long hair and tights.

Thanks. That was before I put on my baby weight!