Oh NO! Not again! Shoulder!

[threeunder]

2 1/2 years ago, I blew out my right shoulder (I'm a southpaw) working on cleaning up storm damage. I ended up with tendonitis along the rotator cuff. I couldn't shoot for 14 months.

Day before yesterday, while shooting I started having some pain in my left shoulder.  If feels eerily similar to the pain I felt then.

With bow season 3 weeks away (actually 4 weeks, I don't get to hunt any the first week) I've halted my daily shooting.  Gonna give it a week and see how it feels next Saturday.

Anyone got any other advice?

Ken

[Sam McMichael]

See the doc!

[buckeye_hunter]

Until you get to the doctor, start the Ibuprofen around the clock now and ice twice a day for 20 min at a time. And leave the shooting alone until you can move your shoulder without pain. I have two bad shoulders and have to be somewhat careful with them. I follow the above regimen when they start to get sore. That is also why I shoot a 50-53 pound bow. That weight is fairly easy for me to draw.

[arrow flynn]

See a doctor yet an mri. Indian clubs have helped me hut everyone is different. My lefts shoulder has severe damage to the cartiledge. The doctor took a look at the x rays and said hr couldn't do anything but I can pull with my left so now im a southpaw.

[NJWoodsman]

I use aspirin as an anti-inflammatory, I think it's safer for the gut (but I'm not a doctor!). I think you're going to need more than a week's rest. Try taking some surgical tubing or other elastic tied in a loop to simulate pulling a bow- at much lower weight, of course. You'll be exercising the muscles, but more importantly, it will safely tell you whether you can draw without pain.

[Terry Lightle]

That is why I shoot 49# instead of the 63# I shot for many years

[JEFF B]

drop down in poundage your Body will thank you. and you will be able to continue shooting      

It could be that your joint has slid a little bit. A chiropractor can help that, if you strained a tendon at the same time, ice, rest and getting back into using it a little bit at a time will prevent further injury. Starting with just gentle stretching motion before loading it up with much resistance. I have had surgery suggested twice and went the less invasive route successfully. While pain killers can mask the pain, they don't help if something is torn or out of place.

[swampthing]

If the prognosis is "tendonitis" you will be hunting in no time. If that is the case research shoulder stretches, that is what you will need to do to rid yourself of that.  
 Back when men did overhead presses, shoulder injuries were as rare as deer during deer season. Shoulder Chest and Back exercises will give your shoulder "girdles" balance, power, injury prevention, and stamina.
Bow weight, a weight that does not cause your muscles to recoil, retract, cinch, or compress. You should have a feeling of "circulation" at full draw, not contraction and stiffness.
   That last part is probably the most important part of this post.
Good luck, and remember 40# @27 a 450g arrow  kills most chest hit animals.

[Mojostick]

Go see a Dr. and get an MRI. No amount of OTC pain pills or chiropractors can fix things like bone spurs shredding your rotator cuff.

[YORNOC]

Good advice above. I've been out since January. I shot a few times but am not healing. Right now, doc says no drawing a bow for AT LEAST 3 more months. BE CAREFUL!

[Mojostick]

To back up Swampthings comment..."Good luck, and remember 40# @27 a 450g arrow kills most chest hit animals", so far, I'm 100% on complete passthru's on whitetails with 40-42lbs and a 500-550gr arrow.

[Big Ed]

See your doctor and if you need to an Orthopedic Doctor do the necessary research and get one that specializes in shoulders.

[mahantango]

Swampthing's dead-on with the strength training advice. I've worked construction for 30+ years and firmly believe that the only way to prevent joint injuries is to strengthen the muscles that support them. Get a diagnosis, get healed, then do whatever it takes to build up the strength to continue doing the things you love.