Compression sleeve

[jt85]

Anyone tried wearing a compression sleeve on your elbow while shootings ?  If so does it help with soreness and does it affect your shooting at all ?

[KentuckyTJ]

Do you mean like these Jason, I've used a wool sock type before but never this type. Can't be a bad item to have in your pack. Takes up little room and would be good in a pinch. I would think they would be hot though so around here would be only a late season item.

   http://www.lancasterarchery.com/realtree-ez-arm-guard.html  

Another
  http://www.eaglearchery.com/Bohning-Slip-On-Armguard-Blue/?gclid=CMPYhfnw8swCFdgVgQodC4oHhw

[Orion]

Are you talking about the strap that one wraps around the arm just in front of the elbow for something like tennis elbow?  Don't remember what it's called, but when I developed pain in my muscles in that area, I used one.  Enabled me to keep shooting, and it wasn't terribly painful while I was shooting.  Pain came back after I was done shooting though.  Ultimately, a few weeks rest and stretching exercises brought the arm around and I haven't had any problems since.

[M60gunner]

My son used one off and on for a few years. His issues were from work and the 80# bow did not help. Since he dropped 30# his elbow does not bother him as much.

[jt85]

Tom those do look nice but I was talking more like the copper fit compression sleeves for pain. The pain is in my sting arm if that matters.

[Orion]

The strap I used was about two inches wide and threaded through a sort of D-ring so it could be pulled tight and cinched back on itself. Had a velcro closure.  As I said, it did alleviate the pain while shooting, but it took rest and stretching to remedy the problem.

[jt85]

Thanks Orion I'll look into what stretches I can do.

[FlintNSteel]

A few years ago I developed "tennis elbow."  It would not go away and my Doctor was no help at all.  I finally sold off all my >60# bows and all but gave up shooting.  Then I purchased a low poundage longbow (about 45# at my draw) and it actually helped take pain out. If I didn't shoot for a few days, the pain came back, so I shot at least some every day.  A few months ago I moved up another 5#, and just a couple of weeks ago went up to 56# with no issues.  

Seems as though shooting too much weight or none at all was not the cure.  Working the elbow with low weight until better, then moving up in weight in increments has been effective for me.

I also was interested in compression and the people I talked to said that you cannot just wear a compression sleeve while engaged in activity....it has to stay on for quite some time afterward to provide relief.  At least that's what I was told by others who have used them for physical activity of various sorts (not shooting a bow, however).

[bucknut]

I had similar issues earlier this year and wore a sleeve 24/7. I would put a tennis elbow strap/brace on while shooting too. It took a while but it did clear up. I dropped the frequency and amount of shots way down also.

[jt85]

FlintNSteel, I was told the same thing by a guy at work about having to wear them all day

[Homebru]

Originally posted by FlintNSteel:
A few years ago I developed "tennis elbow."  It would not go away and my Doctor was no help at all.

I've been having some issues with this as well. I think it's pretty common.  Fortunately, I know a couple of decent docs and physical therapists.  A couple of very basic stretching exercises and the pain is gone.  Just don't quit doing the stretches and you can remain pain free.
homebru