posted
I've been shooting for several weeks now switching back and forth between 40# to 52#trying to working up slow. I'm left handed and have tennis elbow in my left arm. After shooting the 52# bow I'm in pain and stiff the next morning. anybody dealt with this? schafer silvertip 52# Curry maddog 41# Big horn custom 56#
Posts: 131 | From: muskogee ok | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
Yes I have been dealing with it for the last couple of years. I saw a sports Doc and was told to take it easy for 4 weeks and rest the arm then try shooting a lighter weight bow( he is an archer). I now shoot a 38# Excellerator which does not bother my elbow. I also support the elbow with a wrap. Be careful with this as the Doc said it could leave bad damage to arm.
Posts: 948 | From: Kingsport,Tn | Registered: Aug 2009
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cb thanks for the info,I've been told the same infomation. I don't know of any real cure out there. Again thanks for the info.
Posts: 131 | From: muskogee ok | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
Walmart sells a velcro strap that u place just below the elbow and pull snug. Its for golfers/tennis elbow. Used them myself and they worked well.
However, I would lay off the shooting for a while and then use strap when u resume.
posted
Here's a really arb and strange phenomenon. I have sruggled with a slightly sore right shoulder for many years after overdoing distance swimming in the 1990's. When I started archery 2 years ago, it got very sore to the point where I had to lay off, take anti-inflamatories etc. A few months ago, I started preparing for a hunt where I had to jump from 45 to 58 pounds. I delayed the switch as long as possible as I knew I was going to to suffer. I made the switch and lo and behold - no shoulder pain!! I have a theory. With the switch to the heavier bow, I was forced to pull with my back. I did this consciously as I knew what was going to happen to my shoulder. Now, I shoot primarily with the 58 pounder as it really causes less pain. When I picked up the 45 pounder, I fell back into the habit of pulling with my shoulder and it takes a conscious effort to not do that - then it's fine. These are just my observations that may help someone. But if it doesn't work for you, I remember seeing a post here with exercises to strengthen the muscular around the problem shoulder. Ultimately, switching hands may be the only answer.
-------------------- “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalm 18:34 Posts: 63 | From: Canada | Registered: Nov 2008
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I've had this problem and dealt with an elbow injury very similar to yours for close to a year. While there was some improvement with rest and anti-inflammatories, it never would go away. The velcro band helped with the pain and weakness but didn't really solve anything. I finally tried icing it at night for 20 minutes every hour. Did it while watching TV. A bag of frozen peas works very well for this purpose. After a week, there was significant improvement and it's now completely gone. Hope this helps.
-------------------- "If you read everything in print and don't practice an hour a day in three months, you will still be a lousy shot. You will be a brilliant lousy shot but a lousy shot just the same." David Bickish-Bush Pilot Bowman Posts: 295 | From: Brecksville, Ohio | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Most drugs only block the pain signal, they are not a cure. The sports medicine mantra, rice, - rest ice compression, and elevation. If you are squeezing your bow hard, it can aggravate the tendons. This is in your drawing arm, try to keep your elbow lower and try to draw straight back no more than a few inches. Pick up most of the draw when you are bringing up your bow. I have had the tendon problems in both arms numerous times. The worst was with a light weight target bow, another time it was from putting up ceiling sheet rock, another was from weight training, and once in the right arm from practicing a straight draw with a 96 pound bow in a tree wedge, trying to keep warm. I was freezing, under dressed and the only way I could shoot from the perch was to poke the bow out flat and then draw it straight back. I shot an arrow through a deer that year with a 35 pound bow on the ground, while I was making my morning tea over a stick fire. Careful, this can last a long time. If your joint is twisted it will reoccur more often. A chiropractor can help if that is the case, but the "rice" will still be needed.
Posts: 2595 | From: Iowa | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Tennis elbow is caused by the tendon lifting off the bone through aggressive use and is slow to heal especially when aggravated. The velcro strap recommended by Champ 38 could be a quick solution.
Posts: 933 | From: California | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
You can go see a doctor now and follow his advice which will likely include not shooting and get over this in a few months or less.
Or you can do it like I did, keep shooting until the pain was so bad that I couldn't shoot, then go see a doctor, follow his advice, which included not shooting and get over it in about 18 months.
The advantage of doing it my way is that the physical therapist that I visited twice a week for 6 months was really cute. Other than that, it was no fun not being able to shoot my bow.
Three years later, I still have to use the strap around my elbow and ice.
My advice is to see a doctor and take care of it now.
Posts: 233 | From: Maryland | Registered: Dec 2006
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I shoot a 59 pound bow, and I have had a sore elbow for about a week. I suspect it's mild tendonitis. The cure for it is r.i.c.e. as someone suggested above. Emphasis on R.
I used to compete in rodeos, so when it comes to sports related injuries, I am probably more well versed than a young sports doc, since I have been experimenting on myself for years. My draw elbow has been hyperextended half a dozen times in my life, mostly when I was younger and almost super-human, but it probably contributes to problems today.
The only benefit of going to the doctor (to me) is sometimes they will give you vicodin. I will say that if you happen to tear your ACL it really is a good idea to go to the doctor and get it fixed.
Posts: 311 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jul 2010
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I would seriously consider seeing a Sports Doctor instead of a regular one.
Fortunately, at this time, I only suffer from muscle strains from time to time. I do encorporate a full stretching, strength training, and endurance routine that is geared to archery though. My point though is that a lot of Doctors will just say don't shoot while a sports Doctor may go a lot deeper and get you back on track ASAP.
Posts: 2037 | From: NY | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
From 40# to 52# is a big jump. Stick to the 40# and work out your form problem, maybe just do 1/2 dozen shots from the higher weight towards the end of a session (if you must).
I say form problem, because I had a similar problem with a 47# bow, had some tendonitis. The root cause was too much tension in the fingers and arm, not using enough back muscles.
Posts: 128 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Oct 2009
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Other than that, it was no fun not being able to shoot my bow.
