drawing shoulder screwed up: what do I do?

[HunterLawyer]

Hello to all:
I tore some of the muscles in my left shoulder skiing last week (dammit!). I am left handed. Doing rehab on it, but I was just getting back into archery and I'd like to get back to shooting but my old 51# 66" recurve is too much. Heck, my brand new 42# 60" checkmate falcon is too much!
After waiting a week more, should I get a light weight (25-35 #) bow and have at it?

Any thoughts? Any light lefty bows out there?

Bill

[30coupe]

Get healed up first. Follow your doctor's advice. If the 42 is too much, you are not healed yet. When the doctor says it is okay, then start drawing your 42 part way a few times each day. Work up gradually to a full draw. If you let the healing take place, you'll be surprised how quickly you are back to shooting. If you push it, you may be out for a lot longer.

[bjohnson]

I agree with him man you could really irritate the healing process by overdoing it. but when the doc says go then use rubberbands first. I had to do the same thing. if you want the bands let me know and I will dig them up and send them to you.

[kawika b]

Heal FIRST,,,, then shoot. Get cleared by a Doctor then start shooting with a light bow. You'll be glad you did,,, I know I am.

[HunterLawyer]

Thanks for the sensible advice. Will do.

[Rico]

Ask the doctor and see if you can't get a few of those big rubber bands they use for therapy they come in different colors for different strengths.

[HunterLawyer]

Going to see the PT today; planning on asking about bow use as a therapy tool instead of the rubber bands.

That will probably get me a psych referral for late onset archery dependence....

[Jedimaster]

I have been where your at when I was hooked on weight lifting years ago. I could not bear the thought of not continuing to lift. I hurt! But I persevered and contrary to advice, I kept lifting.
Through my stubborness it only took about twice as long as it should have to get well. Please listen to the doctor's expertise in this and you won't regret it.

[Wulomac]

If you don't heal, you won't shoot.  Go to a gym and get some easy shoulder work in.  There will be trainers to help you.  You won't regret it!
Wells

[Killdeer]

If the PT guru says to go ahead and use a light bow, there are tons of solid fiberglass bows out there with draws from 10 to 25 and up. They usually sell for a pittance. Oh yeah, they usually are ambidextrous, too!

Oh, and sue the ski resort, HunterLawyer.   :D  
Killdeer  

[NorthShoreLB]

Rest, Heal, I blew both my rotator cuffs surfing on different accidents, spend months doing nothing, end that got me back on track    


like HILL used to say, you can shoot a bow without having one in your hands.

[HunterLawyer]

Killdeer:

Wasn't the ski area's negligence; it was my own. Despite being a lawyer, I am really big on personal responsibility. Maybe the hunter part of my nature leads to that.

Bill

[NightHawk]

hunterlawyer said ....I am really big on personal responsibility.

 that knife cuts both ways. I tore my labrum away from the shoulder socket and put a tear in it, also shredded the ligament/tendon? going from my shoulder to my bicep last february. I fell at work, in the parking lot. Slipped on black ice, despite working for the power company, the lot is poorly lit and the snow removal contractor did a very bad job (the jerk didn't put salt down), resulting in my accident.

 company told me, it wasn't workmans comp, even though it was on the property, during working hours. Hired an attorney,      but funny thing,  that hasn't helped the pain go away      *shrug* I think I'm going to get another opinon. I had surgery on it last march and it still hurts and don't have much strength in it.           (jerks)

[Jacko]

Unfortunatly the best treatment is commonsence and time . My shoulder started acting up in late 05 . Nearly drove me nuts Hunterlawyer - didn't shoot for 8 months and then 6 months easing into just 20 arrows a day but proper healing is more important than shooting and now I can shoot all day . regards Jacko