Bow arm shoulder pain...need advice!

[Little Tree]

Hey everyone, was wondering if there is anyone out there that has dealt with bow-arm shoulder pain after shooting. I have been to the doc, and he thinks it could be a slight labrum tear, and muscle inflamation. I have been trying to strengthen the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, but it is still smarting. The pain is located on the top of the shoulder about 1/2 inch deep, right in the crease. I also have a slight click going on too. Any suggestions on how to attack this problem would be appreciated.

[Little Tree]

This is a real drag, I struggled through the bow season, and have not been able to practice like I want to for about 7 months, my shooting is suffering, and I am starting to worry about my future with the stick and string.

[PV]

Had shoulder pain for the last 15 years or so. Finally got to the point where I couldn't work(plasterer) Last winter I decided to get it fixed. MRI with the first doc showed impingment,bone spurs and frayed rotator cuff. Had surgery in April and went through the PT program all the while the pain got worse.
Another MRI showed I now have a torn rotator and an ac joint that needs to be taken out. Having surgery(new doc) Much more invasive than the prevoius on the 29th.

Is your doc an ortopedic doctor? I would get an MRI and as many opinions as possible before deciding on a treatment.
Good luck

[Bigriver]

Laugh if you want, but try accupuncture first. It cured my tennis elbow when all the docs could not. It certainly wont hurt anything & is non evasive.

I would still see a doc, but it is another option.

[Bear Heart]

I have the same issue and am trying to avoid surgery.  When it starts to hurt I back down to a 45-50 pound bow to give it a brake.  I avoid surgery as long as I can but sooner or later the knife will be all that is left.

[Little Tree]

I may check on acupuncture, there is a practice in town. Surgery will be the very last option.

[Bjorn]

They say the shoulder is the most complicated joint in our body. Have you tried a chiropracter? And big river suggested accupuncture; that would be a good alternative. Cortizone shots work well too.
Rest and lots of ice will help too put water in a styrofoam cup and freeze it. I used to bring those with me in a cooler and ice like crazy.
Unless your doc is a sports medicine guy don't even bother talking to him.

[Orion]

Haven't had long-term deep pain in the shoulder, but did have a clicking when I drew the bow.  An exercise therapist suggested it was a bone spur and that the click was caused by a tendon scraping over it.  He said very hard pressure might break up the spur.  I told him to go ahead and do it.  He worked my shoulder very hard with the palm of his hand a couple of times over a week or so.  This was a big guy and a weight lifter to boot.  The first time he did this, the pain almost brought me to my knees.  However, that, and some stretching excersises for my shoulder, did get rid of the problem.  BTW, the clicking was more toward the front than the top.  

Bursitus and arthritus can also cause deep joint pain and not a helluva lot can be done about it.  That occasionally flares up in my bow arm shoulder.  Ibuprophen usually reduces the inflamation and joint pain, but doesn't eliminate it, at least not for me.  Good luck.  It's a real bummer to have joint pain when trying to shoot a bow.

[Kingstaken]

It may sound far out there but what about switching hands.
I had to due to an elbow injury where the radial head had to be removed. Even after much PT, the scare tissue only permitted about 70% extension. Switched hands and never regretted it.
Start slowly and build into it.
Thru drawing lefty, it stretched out the scar tissue and have about 95 % back.
Seemed only natural afterwards to the point my belief now is a righty should shoot lefty anyway and visa versa.
Only draw back is availability of bows to buy and trade.     :(  
My simple reasoning is the throwing hand that puts the ball in the glove or in the hand of your team mate should be the bow arm putting the arrow on the target. Kinda make sense doesn't it?   :confused:

[Afraid a snake]

I have had good luck taking a supplment called "MSM".When my shoulder starts hurting, I will take these pills for a couple days and it stops the pain.You can get it in the vitamin section at most stores.
I read about this on another archery sight.It is for joint health and an anti-inflamatory.May not work for everyone ,but it does help me.

[rbbhunt]

I had a similar problem, I went to a lighter bow for a while and physical therapy.  Fixed the problem.

[Pinecone]

It sounds as though you may have a shoulder impingement.  I can relate to how painful it can be, as I have the same challenge.
I mange my impingement by dropping down in bow weight and shooting fewer shots during practice sessions.  In addition, I work out with light dumbells to strengthen the deltoid.  When the pain starts bothering me, I take aspirin as an anti-inflammatory and let the shoulder rest.
A good shoulder specialist can be a bit hard to find, but you should be able to locate an orthopedic surgeon with this specialty by doing some research.  If the problem gets worse, I would get an evaluation by the physician and go from there.  As others have said, don't forget about complimentary approaches and save the surgery until there simply is no other option.

Claudia

[Little Tree]

thanks guys,and gals

[Flt Rck Shtr]

I have had two surgeries and getting ready for the third on my right shoulder as soon as deer season is over. I had inpingement and bone spurs taken care of on the first and clavicle resection in the AC joint on the second. Both of these were done Arthroscopically. Now I have severe pain and grinding in the AC joint, they say it's calcium build up from Arthritis. The only relief I get is from pain killers and an ice bag. Haven't had a full nights sleep in over a year. Whatever you do, don't let yourself get in this shape. If you're not getting satisfaction from one doctor don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion. I've worked on an oil rig all my life and the repetitive work is the killer on a shoulder. Hope you can get your trouble worked out.
                   James

[buckeye_hunter]

Been there done that earlier this year in the Spring.

Rest, rest, rest, ice, ice ice. Light weights to strengthen after healing (as directed by a doctor or physical therapist).

Shooting isn't worth a permanent injury, let it rest. Drop draw weight if necessary.

Just my 2 cents,
Charlie

[DennyK]

I had shoulder surgery this past June. The problems were many, Bone spurs, Arthritis, Inflammation, tear in the rotator cuff and a detached bicep tendon. Two and a half months lated I was cleared to start shooting my bow. Surgery was on my bow arm. I was not able to hunt from trees this past fall, but was thankful to be hunting at all. I was fortunate to have a good orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports injurys. I my case I'm happy to say all is going well and should be back to 100% normal activities within a year from my surgery. This is not something you are going to bounce right back from if you decide to have surgery done, but for me it was worth it. Good Luck Brad!  DennyK

[tukudu]

Are you shooting a recurve or a long bow? The reason I ask is that I have this problem consistently with a recurve and not with a longbow. Whenever I shoot the recurve alot it acts up, Just my observation but it does not happen with my longbow. I am convinced that it is the turning over of the limb which gives me issues. The more radical the curve the greater the probablility of occurrence. Just curious on what you shoot. tom

[allan f]

I would say acupuncture as well.  I am a doctor of Chinese medicine and see a lot of shoulder problems in my clinic with good results.  Having said that, it is like anything else you need a good acupuncturist to get the results you want, same with all professionals.  Make sure that your acupuncturist is certified and uses disposable sterile needles and you should have no problems.  I can tell you right off the bat a good linament would be a great place to start. The one that I would recommend is called Zheng Gu Shui you apply it topically and should do so with a cotton ball soaked in it, about 5-6 times /day.  Its a lot like tiger balm or A5-35 but very good. It will help get rid of the pain and increase blood flow to heal the injured tissue.  Give it a try. They should have it in any Chinese grocery and it shouldn't be more than a couple of bucks.  Good luck,
Allan

[Little Tree]

tukudu, I shoot longbows exclusively, I am going to give P.T a chance, and if that doesn't work, acupuncture. But I will pick up some Zheng Gu Shui next time I make it to the city.

[Jason Kendall]

Brad I am currently going through the same deal, it hurts! I didnt shoot much all summer long due to the pain. I find myself shooting 45-48# a lot more now, anything more gets to me after just a few shots. I havent searched out a doc yet but my pain goes from the shoulder into my lower neck.