Shoulder problems

[krink]

I have been on a hiatus from bows, shooting, or even thinking about any of it.  I am back but with shoulder problems.  While I have been pouting about messing up a bow (the reason why I quit) I have been playing soft ball.  Now this is an old injury that healed but the softball messed it up again.  I have tendon tearing at the outboard side of my collar bone.  I tried to pull a bow to see how it felt.  Let me say it hurt.  

I have been to a physical therapist and he gave me only 2 exercises to help with the tearing.  Nothing he told me will help with pulling a bow (which I told him that was the ONLY thing I cared about)  Does anyone know of somethings I can do to help me pull a bow?  To give an idea where I am at I cannot even get to my anchor point.  I cant get back tension.  I get about 2 inches from my face and cant go any more.  Thanks for the help and I hope I put this in the correct section.

Kyle

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I had an issue like this in a different sport (not archery) and I switched to using my other hand.

[BobCo 1965]

Have you seen a surgeon? That would be my advise. A decent tear could very well require surgery.

[krink]

I forgot menton that the physical therapist want to stay away form surgery for the time being. The way he talked it would be 3 months of doing his stuff before he would think surgery.  This would be bad because I want to try take my first trad deer this year.  If its the case of surgery then it is so and there is always next year.

[hvyhitter]

I would see the surgen and get his opinion. The PT guy wants his 3 months of payments before surgery,then the rehab after.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

It's always about money, even when you think it is about your health.

[Flingblade]

I would agree to see the surgeon or a different doctor.  To help those who know more than I do you might want to add which shoulder. Bow arm or draw arm.

[park]

I think you should listen to your physical therapist and follow his/her advise.
The exercises are designed to strenghten your shoulder muscles so they will be protected from additional tears so it can heal.The exercises also increase blood flow to the shoulder.As for pulling back a bow that is probably counter productive.If you stick with your 2 exercises you should be ready for hunting season.

[njloco]

Indian clubs !

[arrow flynn]

i too would recomend indian clubs the 2 exercisesfor rotator cuff and cable pulls underhand pulldowns or chinups ido them all i rehabed my right shoulder with indian clubs to the point ican do 1 armed presses w 45 lbs my left has come back somewhat but years in constuction has done the damage not any one accident and also living by the code if it doesnt fit force it goodluck dont give up

[BobCo 1965]

If it is a tear, it will need to heal before exercises or stretching. At the right time it can be incorporated and will aid in the healing process. Only a doctor should monitor it however. Without knowing the size of the tear it is impossible to determine the correct path though.

I appreciate the mention of indian clubs, I am going to look into them much further!

[krink]

What are these indian clubs and how are they used?

[arrow flynn]

indian clubs go way back 3 or 4oobc inpersia they were used to build induraNCE AND STRENGHT IN THE SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK SO THEY COULD SWING ASWORD LONGER AND HARDER THAN TGHE ENEMY ONE MOVEMENT MIMICS IT CHECK IT ON THE WEB

[David Bartholomew]

If you wish, give me a shout tomorrow evening.  and we can talk, but... long distance phone calls are not as good as being there.  

Look for and seek complete range of motion BEFORE strengthening the assembly.

Regards!
David

[PaddyMac]

Go to your library and see if they have "Healthy Shoulder Handbook: 100 Exercises for Treating and Preventing Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff and other Common Injuries" by Dr. Karl Knopf M.D. (Author)

It's pretty basic, but it's helping me.

[AllenR]

The only medical advice you should follow from on line forums like this is "GO SEE A DOCTOR".

In this case go see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders.

If you want to shoot your bow without pain, this is your best chance.


Alle

[krink]

Thanks for all the input.  I am military, which I didnt mention earlier, so I have to see who they tell me to.  In addition to shoulder pain I am having inner bicep pain now.  I have an appointment on the 19th and maybe get further.  This doc seems like he will work with me rather than the usual motrin and water treatment.  One good thing about this is that it has me thinking about bows and building bows again.  I have a bow my grandfather is giving to me until I learn how to build one so that is a start.  I do figure that if my right shoulder gets really bad that I can always use my left one!

[njloco]

While your sitting watching TV or reading, take the flat magnets off the refrigerator and place them wherever it hurts. Also go to the health food store and get some Arnica Montana, it's an herb and can't hurt. It comes in gel form and tablets. If you take this don't have any caffeine or booze, it counter acts the herb.

My friend who told me about the Indian clubs couldn't raise his arm past his chest, the Docs. just wanted to cut him and or give him meds. He started using the indian clubs and within a few weeks he had full range of motion and now he is back at the gym pushing iron.

I'm not saying it will work for everyone, but it did work for him.

Good luck and thanks for your service.

[arrow flynn]

well getting back to this thread my left shoulder continued to bother me so i got an mri nothing torn everything in place but the cartiledge is messed up bad im seeing a doc about it in october but my primary care doc sez no pill operation or therapy will fix it .im able to shoot a lighter bow under 55 lbs if your shoulders are good take care of them fellow travelers.