Frozen Shoulder

[ewarshaw]

Hey Folks,

Does anyone have a set of exercises that will help out with Frozen Shoulder. It's my left shoulder (my bow hand), and when I get about half way drawn back, the pain gets pretty intense.
I had the same issue with my other shoulder a few years back, and my kid's karate instructor showed me a kata that helped, but I was wondering if there were other ideas out there that didn't involve me moving all around the living room like an old fool.
Thanks.

[Rob DiStefano]

been there at least three times so far, proper self rehab is the answer.

do a web search for "frozen shoulder rehab".

stick with the program, won't cure itself overnight, be patient, don't do anything stupid during the rehab time!

[Javi]

Best thing I've found, short of a rehab center..

 http://www.therotater.com/wp/

[hunt it]

My hunting partner had a frozen shoulder for 6 months. He did physio every week with little or no relief. Then one day while climbing down from treestand he slipped off step and dropped 4 feet before grabbing another step with his frozen shoulder/arm. He says he screamed the pain was so bad - however once down on ground he noticed something was different. He could reach over his head and behind his back. Yahoo he says frozen shoulder fixed instantly! He goes to phisio in few days and says to therapist - I found the cure for frozen shoulders - guy says oh yeah heard that before - Bill moves his arm behind his back and every which way and guys just looking at him - how the hell you fix that guy says. Bill says easy just have patient stand on chair and tie hand to something overhead and then kick chair out from under them! Guy says don't think I'll try that. But, Bill's frozen shoulder has never come back and he's been shooting his bow with no pain ever since. May not be for everyone but worked for Bill.

[Rob DiStefano]

what works for bill may permanently hurt someone else.  be careful.  

the rehab exercises for frozen shoulder work for the very vast majority of folks.  the routines must be done multiple times daily.  it involves precise band stretching as the primary exercise, along with muscle/tendon stretching and shoulder/arm weight work.  if possible, massage therapy helps to quicken the healing (and fix other not-so-good conditions you didn't even know you had).

been there too many times, done all that, it works - safely.  i'm closing in on 66 years and still pulling a 55# bowstring with no issues or discomfort (so far!).

[ewarshaw]

Thanks for your ideas.

[ewarshaw]

OK, so it's a year + later, and I am back to normal. I have not drawn my bow since April 2011, and I started last week with my Bear Grizzly 50# (drawn not quite to 28"). Had a little stiffness the next morning, but I'm thinking that's from lack of use. Dropped my compound down to 52# and still no problem, but I'm thinking that I would rather hunt Traditional this year. With that in mind, I called Don Dow and bought one of his clear glass Stik Bows. I should have it on Wednesday, and season starts on Saturday. Doubt I'll start the season with it, but I sure would like to finish the season with it lying on top of a deer.

[Doc Nock]

Goals are good, brother...as long as they don't blind you to the reality at hand...

If you start drawing...and it's not working, pushing thru is likely not the best course of action...

Best wishes for progress to continue and to have a decent season with no setbacks!

[ewarshaw]

Very true, Doc. I still go back and re-read your PM from a year ago June. I have no desire to sit out another 1 1/2 years, so slow and steady is the course. I am working up very slowly, with plenty of stretching before I draw, and limited shooting. I am working to build it back up slowly.
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I am listening.

[Doc Nock]

Don't remember much of what I ate for breakfast or lunch....let alone what I might have wrote a year ago!!!!

What I try to do is whisper a silent prayer whenever I type here and let HIM do the talking so I have little recollection of what I share...

Commonsense is the best teacher... been there, done the dumb deed too often... slow and steady wins the race!