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RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
You've been given lots of good advice. I would also add that you need to continue to take the Motrin (Ibuprofren) as it is a great anti imflamatory. I try to take it an hour before I shoot and find that it is helpful in agrravating an old injury. The more I learn about inflamation, the more I realize how important it is to try to prevent it.
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RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
I hear ya! I have been off work for the past month and a half recovering from shoulder surgery.
I torn the labrum which is closely related to the rotator cuff and has a similar recovery/PT regimen. I wouldn't rule out the surgery even though you have had a bad experience with some of the doctors you have had. However, if you're planning on trying the other route, then plan on taking Ibuprofin or Alleve or another pain reducing/anti-inflamatory medication an hour before shooting. When you DO shoot, STOP when you begin experiencing pain--that's your body telling you to stop before you aggravate it further. Besides that, you will only be encouraging bad habits since the pain will override your ability to concentrate fully on your form. Take some shots, stop when the pain starts and then ICE the shoulder down immediately for 1/2 hour and then repeat the icing sometime later in the evening while you're relaxing. It'll be another month or so before I can even THINK about shooting my bow. I was shooting the best I ever have just before the surgery. Now I'm wondering what it'll look like following a couple months of my bow arm being nearly immobile. The PT is helping, but I'm WAY behind where I would normally be this time of year. Good luck. |
RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
Great advice so far.........................also, is there a set let off that is legal for your state? If not, concept archery has a 99% letoff bow that I hear is a pretty decent rig. That might help some, especially in the woods.
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RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
If your state allows it, you might look at a crossbow. Also, there are these adhesive Ben Gay bandages that I use sometimes that help alot. I feel for you, I know how it can hurt.
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RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
I can't help but wonder if it might need surgery even 7 years later, but it doesn't bother me at all unless I'm shooting my bow. |
RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
UPDATE!
Well, I just got back from shooting my bow for the first time in almost 3 weeks. I took some time off to let my shoulder rest and haven't had any pain in it for over two weeks straight. Ready to get back at it I went out to the local range where the club happened to be having a 3D shoot that I didn't really plan on shooting. I just wanted to shoot the KD range a few times. But I took the advice to heart about stretching and warming up first, and made sure my bow arm was limbered up and ready to shoot. Anyway, while I was there I got to chatting with some of the experienced archers there and asked them about my shoulder injury as well. One of them actually has delt with a similar injury himself and asked to watch me shoot. So I drew my bow back and shot, and the first thing he says to me is that my form while shooting the bow is pretty good, but my form while drawing the bow was bad, which was putting added strain on my left shoulder. I, like a lot of other people I watch btw, was raising my bow over the target and then lowering it as a draw. He told me to try holding the bow level and draw straight back without moving my bow arm at all. I did this, and while I noticed it required more effort to draw this way, I had no pain in my left shoulder at all. He also said that I should do the same thing if I ever have to let down. Before when I'd let down I'd drop my bow arm as I let down. I tried letting down once while keeping my left arm straight out in shooting form, and while it again took more effort to smoothly let down from my right arm, it didn't hurt my left shoulder at all. At that point I decided to give the 3D course a go, figuring that if my shoulder started to show signs that i was pushing it too far I'd just not finish the course. Well, 40 shots and 314/400 points later I finished the course and my shoulder doesn't even ache at all! I feel like I haven't even shot the bow today! I can't overstate how great it is to shoot pain-free, and how much better I shoot when my shoulder doesn't hurt the whole time. Once again, thanks for the help guys. I think that I really needed the time off from shooting to let my shouder heal, and between your suggestions and the hands-on help, I think I'll be able to shoot as much as I want without problems as long as I take care to do it right. This is a genuine sport, and I just had to have a little coaching to do it right. Mike |
RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
YUP,... I have to agree with BigJ.....see the doctor. And another thing, if your draw length is too long(even just a little bit) it will lead to shoulder problems in a big way. YOu may want to revist that and make sure yours is right. Take about 600 milligrams of motrin a half hour before you practice or shoot a round. It's help....but you really need to check the draw length and see the doc.
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RE: Bow shoulder problems...need suggestions please.
ORIGINAL: driftrider UPDATE! Well, I just got back from shooting my bow for the first time in almost 3 weeks. I took some time off to let my shoulder rest and haven't had any pain in it for over two weeks straight. Ready to get back at it I went out to the local range where the club happened to be having a 3D shoot that I didn't really plan on shooting. I just wanted to shoot the KD range a few times. But I took the advice to heart about stretching and warming up first, and made sure my bow arm was limbered up and ready to shoot. Anyway, while I was there I got to chatting with some of the experienced archers there and asked them about my shoulder injury as well. One of them actually has delt with a similar injury himself and asked to watch me shoot. So I drew my bow back and shot, and the first thing he says to me is that my form while shooting the bow is pretty good, but my form while drawing the bow was bad, which was putting added strain on my left shoulder. I, like a lot of other people I watch btw, was raising my bow over the target and then lowering it as a draw. He told me to try holding the bow level and draw straight back without moving my bow arm at all. I did this, and while I noticed it required more effort to draw this way, I had no pain in my left shoulder at all. He also said that I should do the same thing if I ever have to let down. Before when I'd let down I'd drop my bow arm as I let down. I tried letting down once while keeping my left arm straight out in shooting form, and while it again took more effort to smoothly let down from my right arm, it didn't hurt my left shoulder at all. At that point I decided to give the 3D course a go, figuring that if my shoulder started to show signs that i was pushing it too far I'd just not finish the course. Well, 40 shots and 314/400 points later I finished the course and my shoulder doesn't even ache at all! I feel like I haven't even shot the bow today! I can't overstate how great it is to shoot pain-free, and how much better I shoot when my shoulder doesn't hurt the whole time. Once again, thanks for the help guys. I think that I really needed the time off from shooting to let my shouder heal, and between your suggestions and the hands-on help, I think I'll be able to shoot as much as I want without problems as long as I take care to do it right. This is a genuine sport, and I just had to have a little coaching to do it right. Mike Great to see your shooting with no pain! I think you are on the right trackon keeping this from being a big problem. Make sure you don't forget to warm up and stretch your shoulders. Because you have had an injury to that shoulder, you do not have the luxury of ignoring it anymore. It's just something you will have to deal with in order to do the things you like. Keep on top of it and you will be fine. You have received very good advice from those who posted. The advice about properly drawing your bow is huge because when it's cold outsideand you have been sitting for a while, you don't want to hurt it drawing onthem big ole' Iowa bucks you guys got running around next door to us here in Illinois.:D Good luck and keep well. BigJ |
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