archers elbow

[McDave]

In discussing this with both an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist, I happened to mention that I was experimenting with shooting both right and left handed. Neither had imagined that anyone would do that, but they thought it would be great therapy. I've been switching from right to left handed every other day for a couple of months now, and it really does seem to help.

[troutguy]

thanks for all the great replies i guess im not alone. its just hard to stop shooting. lol

[troutguy]

pete im shooting 2 grayling bear bows a kodiak hunter 60 50# @28 kodiak mag 52 50# 28.

[BRONZ]

My response to the last 3 threads has been:  find an Occupational Therapist, preferably a Certified Hand Therapist.  The treatment for medial vs lateral epicondylitis differs some.  You should see your PCP for a referral.  I treat patients every day with these issues.  I had developed lateral epi. in my bow arm.  Lay off shooting, ice/heat, stretching, and weining back into shooting is my recommendation.  pm me with questions.  Good luck!

[Tall Paul]

I had it in both elbows.

Bronz is dead on.

[reddogge]

Another possibility is a bone spur. I had one in my bow arm and could not even draw a 20# bow. Therapy did nothing but fortunately or unfortunately I tore the tendon in a tractor accident and had surgery and they removed the spur at the same time. Not pain at all now.

[Jim now in Kentucky]

I tried ice, heat, elbow band, rest for a couple of months with no improvement. Then I tried soaking my elbow under the hottest running water I could stand for a minute or so, dry off quickly so it doesn't cool right down.

After the soak, I was  good for several hours of working and shooting with no pain.

After a month of that, I  had no more pain.

The pain had been so intense that I just didn't use that arm for much of anything. My theory is that the heat softened the connective tissue and muscle sheaths and let them stretch.

Anyway, I have since used the hot water treatment on wrist pain and finger joint pain with the same immediate relief.

Jim

[onewhohasfun]

I think it's important to remember to "push" with your bow arm, and not just hold. Get those muscles to work for you. If it gets bad you must rest it, as others have said. Swinging a hammer for 35 yrs., been there.

[Paul Mattson]

I havn't been able to shoot more than a few shots this past year with out have alot of elbow pain.  Working as a pipfitter doesnt do any good for the elbow either.  I tried everything, had several cortizone injections now the only option is surgery which I am scheduled for in March.

[huntin_sparty]

Great and timely post.  I havent been able to shoot without pain since mid November.  Been to sports therapist who gave me some $60 not covered by insurance cream and some rehab exercises.  Did what was told for 2 months with no improvement with zero shooting!   :mad:   Went back and they were talking about taking my blood out with a needle then injecting it back into my tendon.  Anyone ever got that recommendation?  He said its nothing structural so I tried to start shooting again but still in pain.  Never was told to try anything with heat maybe give that a whirl.  Hopfully something will work.

[Widow's Son]

I know what ya'll are talking about. my left/bowarm is crooked from a bad break when I was around 6 years old. I pretty much had to give up shooting longbows because the handshock, no matter how light, would cause intense pain after shooting for a couple of days. I just stick with my recurves and don't worry too much about it.

[Keith Langford]

I have been fighting a severe case since Jan 1, just had my second cortizone shot today,Doc say's I cant shoot the bow at all, not even try, for at least a month. Iwent to Rick Welchs shooting school the last week of jan, and it killed me to shoot the first day. Did not shoot any the second day. I have been trying to work on just form since I got back,12-15 arrows a day, but the pain is terrible and doc says I am just making things alot worse and it will never heal. So I am going to listen,unstring the bow and try again in April, if its not hurting. right now I cant even pick up a gallon of milk.

[highcountry]

I joined the "Bad archers elbow club" about three years ago.  I was told to sell my bows to him/Doc, he said it would cure everything.

[tradgreenhorn]

I had elbow surgey Dec. 9th.{2011} medial ulna nerve transfer, I tore a tendon and the muscle in the elbow,back on June 1st 2011 have been out of work and no glof or bow shooting since. Plenty of rest and therapy. I can know start shooting a light weight bow. This is going to be a great year. My sugestion would be to find a good orthapedic surgion that specializes in elbows. I had my surgery done at the university of michigan. hope this helps and good luck to all.

[NIGEL01]

I agree with BRONZ, I'm going to a hand therapist, she says I don't medication or sugery.  the joints in my hand are fused so she needs to loosen those before my elbow will get better. Course I think everyones may be a little different.

[Tall Paul]

In my case, I did physical therapy with a Hand therapist for a few weeks and did stretching exercises at home.

I didn't shoot my bow for a YEAR!

When I started back shooting last april, I shot 10 arrows, three days a week.

I still stretch before and after shooting.