trying to understand my elbow

[rluttrell]

I was shooting my bow on Friday and Saturday my elbow was killing me, it's the elbow that I hold the bow with does this happen to anyone else?

[Stumpkiller]

Switch to B-50 bowstring.      

So much it could be.  Old injury acting up from use or being outdoors in the cold.  Form problem.  Overworking with excessive shooting.  Bow that dosen't suit you, etc.

My old archery instructor taught us to twist our bow elbow up (very unnatural position) and i try to do this.  Also gets the forearm out of the string's way.

[PaddyMac]

Yup. I have an old firewood throwing injury that forced me to drop way down in weight, but now that I'm shooting -50# I've kept it at bay. But I've been splitting firewood for two weeks and it is flaring up again.

[Zradix]

I had a bow that would have a "buzz" after the shot that I never could tune out of it. Even with really heavy arrows.
That buzz would kill my elbow/ forearm.

Other bows were fine, even some that seemed to have more vibes.

Just the wrong wavelength I guess.

[Rick Richard]

Sounds like 'Tennis Elbow' or Tendonitis.  I had it a couple of months back and the only way to get rid of it was to quiit shooting for a couple weeks.

[rluttrell]

I guess this getting old stuff just stinks...

[Bladepeek]

rluttrell, I have the same problem. Severe arthritis and some days that bow elbow just hurts like crazy. I also feel the first 2 or 3 shots even on a good day. After that, it seems to go away. On a bad day I just have to quit and wait for a good day:-(

[Jeff Strubberg]

This is exactly why I had to give up straight-limbed longbows.  I had mine messed up enough I couldn't lift a cup of coffee.  

Dropped five pounds and went to a hybrid.  No more problems unless I REALLY overdo a shooting session.

[Bjorn]

Rest Ice Compression and painkillers-like Tylenol or Aleve will help and as others have said-change bows, heavier arrows etc.
Massaging your elbow daily with ice in a foam cup works wonders, bring the cup with you when you can. Quit household stuff too hammering, painting, driving screws etc are murder on sore elbows.

[Autumnarcher]

If you're having pain, see a Dr. If the Dx is tendonitis, or tennis elbow before you go eating high dose motrin the usual, see a chiropractor too. Trust me on the 2nd one.

I battled bow arm elbow pain for well over a year. I did the arm bands, and my Dr's favorite-Motring and hope, exercises, stretches, doing nothing etc.  It would come and go, but soon as I started shooting, it would flare up big time.

It got so bad I couldnt do much of anything with that arm without pain. I ended up having surgery to clean out all the scar tissue. The tendonitis results in micro-tears in your common extensor tendon,which cause scar tissue.

Now, just after I had my surgery, my wifes' elbow flared up from tossing firewood. She happened to mention it to our chiropractor, and he adjusted her elbow. PRoblem solved. I wish I had done that long before mone got so bad.

I had the surgery this past spring, and Im 100% now, no pain, no nothing. My shooting had greatly improved since Im no longer flinching with the release.

Don't blow it off and wait, it will only get worse.

[Outwest]

Iv'e got it in both elbows feels like a tendon problem as best as I can guess.
Hurts to no end, constantly.
Right elbow started hurting in June and finally seems to be getting a little better.
Left elbow started hurting in September and has gotten worse than the right one was.
I can't even think about shooting a bow.
I am not much for going to the Dr. but it's been going on for 5 months now and I am about to get desperate.

John