Uh oh - Shoulder

[Knotter]

I took a little time off from shooting to reno my yard.  In the process I tweaked my shoulder.  I gave it a few weeks to rest and thought I would try a few shots.  I warmed up, stretched and went in really listening to my body.  I got to 90% draw and I could feel pain building all across the top of my shoulder.  I immediately let off and I have been suffering ever since.  That was 4 days ago.  

I'm feeling pretty bummed.  I've had other joint injuries before and I know it takes a long time to get to 100% (if ever).  I figure it's at least a month or more before I'm feeling better and that leaves me with a lot less time to prepare for the season. I'll see a doc soon but I know after a long sit my muscles wont be ready for my bow (55#). I'm thinking of dropping to a 40# or 45# and taking a longer rest.  

Anyone done this so close to the season?  If this happened to you  would you sit the season out?

[sledge]

bow shoulder or draw shoulder?

[Hud]

Yep, I usually grab the ice pack 20 min. on/off. sometime an ice rub. The sooner you put the ice on the better.

[Mojostick]

Go see a Dr., but it sounds very similar to my rotator cuff tear/imflamation problems I've been dealing with.

Physical therapy/steriod shots are an option. I dropped down from low 50's to high 40's and now I'm shooting in the high 30's-low 40's and couldn't be happier.

[Pokerdaddy]

Hey Michael.  I was having severe shoulder pain in my string shoulder from shooting.  I was trying to just bear through it, but it was getting worse.

At the time I was shooting a 60" 49# static tip recurve.  I switched to a 66" 52# mild R/D longbow and no more pain.  The draw is so smooth and with the long limb length there seems to be less stress on my shoulder.  

I don't know exactly the physics involved, all I know is I'm pain free and shooting as much as ever.  Could have been the geometry with a certain bow and my body type, but going to a LONG longbow worked for me.

[m midd]

I have the same pain sometimes with
My 63# longbow.  I can pick up
My 56# longbow and shoot it all day with no pain. I would try dropping down in weight and a little
Longer bow

[YORNOC]

I'm out for the season most likely, but I'll sit with a camera. I cant not go at all.

[Knotter]

Originally posted by sledge:
bow shoulder or draw shoulder?

Draw shoulder.  I worry it's a rotator issue.   I have a sheep hunt planned so I cant give up just yet.

[Knotter]

Originally posted by Pokerdaddy:
Hey Michael.  I was having severe shoulder pain in my string shoulder from shooting.  I was trying to just bear through it, but it was getting worse.

At the time I was shooting a 60" 49# static tip recurve.  I switched to a 66" 52# mild R/D longbow and no more pain.  The draw is so smooth and with the long limb length there seems to be less stress on my shoulder.  

I don't know exactly the physics involved, all I know is I'm pain free and shooting as much as ever.  Could have been the geometry with a certain bow and my body type, but going to a LONG longbow worked for me.

I shoot a short recurve.  A 56" 55# checkmate. Perhaps a different design might help me.  I've never shot a longbow so perhaps this is as good of an excuse as any to try one.  Given the  short time frame I'd have to find something pretty quick.  Any recommendations?

My first priority is to be pain free to start with.  If I have to wait  to hunt I will.  Heading to the Dr this week.

[KSdan]

Knotter- I have had shoulder injuries since football days. . . when my draw shoulder is bothering me, or I am drawing cold, I draw my bow by keeping my arm against my chest.  When I get back 3/4 or so I slowly swing my draw elbow up and into proper position. This has worked great.  

Also, slow and careful regular exercise (concentrating on safe movement versus amount of wt.) and using shoulder PT techniques has given me a good number of years here (52) without surgery.

I have had a number of times when my shoulders acted up. Ice and a good chiropractor plus supplements have always been the lucky fix for me.  A doctor tried to line me up with a surgeon, thankfully the chiropractor did his job and I have been able to avoid surgery.  Today I shot a 90 pound bow and a 68 pound bow and a 76 pound bow showing them to a couple of young guys that could not pull any of them.  My middle release finger  and my injured ribs hurt a bit, but my shoulders are doing fine not bad for a 61 year old guitar player.

[Knotter]

Originally posted by pavan:
I have had a number of times when my shoulders acted up. Ice and a good chiropractor plus supplements have always been the lucky fix for me.  A doctor tried to line me up with a surgeon, thankfully the chiropractor did his job and I have been able to avoid surgery.  Today I shot a 90 pound bow and a 68 pound bow and a 76 pound bow showing them to a couple of young guys that could not pull any of them.  My middle release finger  and my injured ribs hurt a bit, but my shoulders are doing fine not bad for a 61 year old guitar player.

[Knotter]

woopsies

I'm inspired to try that out. not the 90# bow part...

[Tron]

I had a similar problem in my bow shoulder though.  Turned out I had a small tear in my labrum but thankfully I know a really good physical therapist and avoided a more invasive fix.  But I dropped down to less than 30 pounds for almost a year.  It will get better, especially if you ice and advil and do those exercises like I didn't...

[jrstegner]

Get a cortisone shot in August. That should get you through the season.

While corizone is a powerful de-inflammatory, it does have some negative side effects if used too often.

[Knotter]

Update!!!  Thanks to all who responded to my post.  I received some great advice and ideas on how to deal with it.  It turns out that the problem stems from how I sleep and the muscle balance around my  my neck (traps).  I took some time off shooting, changed how I sleep and did some conditioning.  

lots of stretches and rotator cuff exercises along with rest.   worked on getting things back in balance.  To say the least - I'm back.  I've managed to get out a few times despite having a busy fall.  

I really appreciate the ideas and feedback from all the fine people on tradgang. I was miserable with the prospect of not being able to hunt.

Thanks all!!!

Mike