Help with trapezius muscle...

[bradglaza]

Hey gang,

About a month and a half ago I dryfired my favorite recurve and cracked the riser. To make a long story short, the bowstring caught on my sleeve as I released and pulled the arrow off the shelf. I was devastated, but even more troubling, my trapezius muscle (especially on my right side) knotted up terribly in the aftermath, and hasn't eased off since.

I don't know if it's because of the trauma of the dryfire or or something else, but I haven't shot a bow since that day. The muscle is simply too tight and weak (and previous to this I was pulling back a 54lb bow without any problem). My hand even trembles when I do something as minimal as picking up a glass of water.

My questions are: Has anyone else encountered anything like this, and if so, what did you do to help the muscles out? I've tried ibuprofen (lots of it), ice, heat, stretching, deep-tissue massage, chiropractic, etc. I'd greatly appreciate any insight or advice you could offer.

Thanks in advance, and I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Brad

[xtrema312]

The fist thing I do when I mess something up is get to the doc after I have done what you have done so far and request some PT help.  Trigger point work helps me with a lot of muscle knot stuff.

[KSdan]

Chiropractor may solve it pretty quickly. I would start there with just 1-2 adjustments.  Some massage (chiro probably would do that too) and you may be on the mend pretty quick.  Just had to do that myself a couple weeks ago after a fall and middle of shoulder blades were all knotted up.  2-3 days later good as new (well almost at 53! lol)

Dan

[xtrema312]

I tend to have off and on issues with this muscle particularly on my string hand side. The first time i ever had an issue was about 4 years ago. I had a knot low of center that wouldn't come out.  I could hardly do a lot of stuff it was so bad.  PT got it out finally.  They ran me through a lot of upper back stuff pulling down, pulling back, pulling bands across my chest, hand bike and so on on top of massage, ice and heat.   I would have to look all the exercises up to recall the correct names.  Best to get some expert help.

Now when I get a knot going, I to do some of that same stuff, but the biggest help is  some heat and a tennis ball.  I use a good new tennis ball and get on a good hard wall or solid door.  Deep tissue message some, but mostly trigger point release work.  You can feel it in one spot, but find the real issue  is in another spot like higher up or for me often on the other  side of my spine from where I think it is.  I work over both sides all over the muscles until I find the problem spot and concentrate on it until I get it out.  Sometimes one trigger point comes out and I find another.  I work through the muscles until I get it all out. Then heat and exercise to condition the muscle.  I get the kinks out fairly quick now.

[azhunter]

I have been suffering with pain in the top of my trap muscle. I have been seeing a chiropractor, getting massages, trigger point injections and this has gone on for months. I am just now starting to get some relief. I have been doing some therapy with weights. I think the thing that has helped me most is I massage it myself several times each day. I also bought a massager called "The Thumper" which is kind of expensive but is fantastic. Although my neck doesn't really hurt I think my problem is from a pinched nerve in my neck. I think mine is reffered pain where the pinched nerve in my neck effects the nerve running down the top of my Trap muscle. What I am finding is that it takes a while to heal. You may have to get an MRI to see if you have a tear in your muscle or if it is from a pinched nerve in your neck. I went to see a sports medicine doctor who gave me the the injections and gave me some exercises to do and the next step is an MRI. Hopefully I can get it resolved without doing that. Sorry for the long story. Best wishes with figuring it all out. I know how discouraging it can be when you want to shoot your bow and it really hurts.

[xtrema312]

Chiropractor can help a lot of the time.  Mine has helped me get the kinks out more than once with different stuff, but my big issue with trapezius happened after the chiropractor works on a little problem i had with it.  After two rounds it was a major problem. I always figure the chiropractor is a quick fix for a problem that needs a long term solution involving exercise and stretching.  A good chiropractor will tell you that.

[Meathook 1]

Brad,as stated above,I think a MRI is in order,you dont't want to do any more damage to the area.Pinched nevers from inflamed muscles can cause this.After talking to an orthopedic doctor you will know.And yes to strengthen and stretch muscles is very important.I would also look into the proper use of a foam roll,self fascial release.PM me if you have any other questions,I have been a personal trainer off and on since the end of Vietnam.Remember if it hurts stop.

                           Meathook

[tracker12]

I'd go to the Doctor for medical advice and stick to Tradgand for archery information.  If you have something serious going on delaying could affect your ability to participate in this great sport.

[bradglaza]

Great advice, thanks everyone.

[BRONZ]

Start with your medical doctor, an mri may be necessary. You may benefit from an order to see a therapist like me who specializes in upper extremity rehab. PT may also need to do some cervical traction. Pm me with questions.

[BenBow]

How about prayer, seems like the last thing we try when it's the first thing to do in any situation. Praying for wisdom and healing.

[McDave]

Don't know what your age or situation in life is, but when I used to have a very high pressure job, sometimes the muscles in my back would seize up from stress and stay seized up for a long time.  I remember one time, I was just bending over the sink in the morning to get a better look at my face when I was shaving (I'm nearsighted), and my back seized up then.  It probably wasn't the dry fire itself that caused your right trap to seize up, although it might have triggered it, since the string was already gone from your right hand before you knew it was a dry fire.  If it is stress related, it just takes some time to relax the muscles.  It would be nice if you could get rid of the stress, but you might have to wait until you're retired to do that, like I am.