Question about old injury pain and form.

[SKITCH]

Hello Gentlemen (and ladies, should any be reading!)

Back when I was a young high school football player I did a number on my left shoulder.  I ended up having surgery for a Subluxation (kinda like a dislocation)  and the shoulder has always been weaker.  Jump forward 20 some years and I have now taken up the bow (wish I would have done it back then but oh well...coulda, woulda shoulda!)
I'm noticing that as I practice I'm getting some pretty noticable soreness in this shoulder.  I soon realized that it would be a while before I ran out and shot 100 arrows a day!  I know that there will be sore muscles as I train and learn with the bow and build up the muscles, joints, etc that I use.  I don't think this shoulder pain is anything more than that...just a little more pronounced because of the weaker shoulder.  I shoot right handed, so this is my bow hand side.  

My questions.....should I work on keeping a little bend in the arm or pretty much keep the elbow close to lock.  It seems that there might be a little more absorbtion(sp?) of the stress with the bent elbow but I'm not sure how that works?  Ultimately I think the pain will go away for the most part and I don't want to develop any bad habits along the way.


Are there any excercises that any of you that have dealt with a similar problem might recommend?

I started with a 50lb bow...and will be getting a 45lb bow in a couple weeks.  I think the lighter weight will help me build the shoulder.

Thanks for your help, advice and opinions.

[McDave]

I think a 40# bow would be even better!  Keeping a slight bend in your elbow will help absorb the shock from shooting the bow.  If you get a LH bow and alternate shooting it with your RH bow, I think it will help.  Some of the best shooters struggle with shoulder injuries they got when they were young, a surprising number from rodeo injuries.  I don't know that there is any solution, but people find various ways to cope with it.

[Raging Water]

Check out Howard Hill's form. Bent arm, but a solid grip on the bow, tensed forearm and bicep/tricep  muscles.

The tensed muscles act as shock absorbers.

I strongly suggest that you don't go straight arm. That just sends the shock straight to the shoulder socket.

Matt

[stik&string]

Also think about shooting lefty, I know a lot of folks have made the switch and if you are just starting out lefty may not be that hard to learn.

I also agree with Raging, straight arm will likely lead to problems, a bow with a low wrist grip may help.

[SKITCH]

Sounds like good advice.   I never even considered trying a left handed bow...hmmmmmm.  That could be interesting.  

Matt...I did notice that about Howard Hill's arm.  I'll have to get the DVD back out and watch a little closer!  Great idea.

Silk...is there anywhere I can find a definition or description of the different kind of grips?? Have not run across that yet.  

Thanks guys.

[SKITCH]

Matt, don't you shoot some pretty heavy bows?  Do you use a bent arm?

[Raging Water]

Originally posted by SKITCH:
Matt, don't you shoot some pretty heavy bows?  Do you use a bent arm?

Yes, Bent Arm. Don't lock my arm out. Muscles tensed as stated above or the bows I shoot would knock the teeth out of my head.

Matt

[SKITCH]

Thanks Matt.

Would love to hear from some guys that have dealt with shoulder issues and if they developed any specific exercises to help.

Also would like to hear from anyone that had switched from right to left. Is it as difficult as, say, trying to write or kick lefty??  

Thank you.

[Don H]

Well, I've had to drop from my 50 lb. kodiak hunter to a Samick Sage 35lb. bow.

The 35lb. bow was the best way to start.I draw 31.25 in. with a 500 beman arrow its fly pretty good. That was over a year ago.
 Now I'm shooting the 40 lb. das bow.

I've had both shoulders repaired, the last one in 2008. I'm 55 so it took me a little time to heal.
It's not how much weight you draw. It's how good you shoot.
Hope this helps.  Don

[critman]

Almost blew my shoulder out shooting too heavy a bow to start and shooting waaaaay too much. Dropped back to 40# like McDave said and am shooting everyday. It did take a little while to get used to the different bow but am adjusting well and best of all I can shoot without hurting the next day. Drop back, rest, and enjoy watching those 35/55's hit the bullseye.
God bless and good shooting.
Chris

[SKITCH]

That's encouraging!  Both Chris and Don.  I have a 45#  bow ariving next week (hopefully).  Also tyring to use a little more bend in the elbow really seems to be helping. Taking a while to get used to it and it is definitely working it's own set of muscles, but I like it so far.  Might have to start hitting the weights again!!!  

Thanks guys!