Old Injury, New Frustrations

[bsimm78]

Backstory: I was in Iraq (Army) from 2003-2004. Went in to Iraq the day before the bombing started (advanced party). While in Iraq, I was wounded and destroyed my left shoulder trying to avoid a mortar round. My commander wanted to send me back to the states for surgery but I convinced him to let me stay in Iraq and just have the surgery when we redeployed back home (doc later told me that was a big mistake). It took lots of time and therapy to get my shoulder and arm working right again.

Present: I still have pain in my left shoulder on a daily basis. Some days are worse than others. Recently, my shoulder decided it didn't want to shoot my longbow anymore. After trying to shoot through the pain for a few days, I decided to stop for a few weeks and let it heal. Shoulder is better but now, I think I'm having to learn to shoot all over again. All of my shots are about 2-3 inches to the left of my spot. I feel like I'm using the same anchor point but evidence points to a short-draw, even though I don't think that's the case. I haven't changed arrows so the spine is still the same as it was before I stopped shooting. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what I'm doing different and the only thing I can come up with is the dreaded "Yips." Any advice on getting my form back? Going with a lighter bow is not an option for me as I can't afford to pick one up.

[Deb]

A lighter bow at least for awhile is the only answer imo. Don't worry to much about expense, someone is bound to offer you a loaner. It's the least we can do for you considering all you have done for us. What weight are you pulling now? What kind of bow do you have? Arvin said he will build you one if needed.

[huntinpool]

if you are drawing shorter , even by 1/2 " it could be effecting the spine and making your arrows appear stiff. Try adding about 25 grains to the point and . It will tell you quick if that is what is happening.

[RickBarbee]

First, and foremost - Thank You For Your Service !!!!

Secondly - whens the last time you checked your brace height?
It may be down some, and if it is, and in combination with the "Yips" could make you shoot left easily.

Rick

[bsimm78]

A lighter bow at least for awhile is the only answer imo. Don't worry to much about expense, someone is bound to offer you a loaner. It's the least we can do for you considering all you have done for us. What weight are you pulling now? What kind of bow do you have? Arvin said he will build you one if needed.

Well, right now I'm using a Fred Bear Montana 50# @ 28 in. My draw length is 28.

[bsimm78]

First, and foremost - Thank You For Your Service !!!!

Secondly - whens the last time you checked your brace height?
It may be down some, and if it is, and in combination with the "Yips" could make you shoot left easily.

Rick

I usually check brace height every time before I shoot.

Huntinpool, that's a good idea about increasing the tip weight. I usually never think of the easiest solution.

[Deb]

Let us know if we can help.

[ItsLeo]

Your grip hand is the other end of your anchor point. Changes in form on your grip and left arm can certainly effect your point of impact.

I dislocated both shoulders in 2003. I thought I may never shoot a bow again. This is what I did and still do to keep my shoulders in shape.

Get a 5lb dumbell (wal-mart) and some therabands from a physical therapist. Tie the therabands to the dumbell. Hold the dumbell like it's a bow and pull back on the therabands at least 30 times as slowly as you can stand it. Both the pull cycle and the let down cycle must be done slowly! It's crucially important that you do the reverse stroke slowly.

The reason for this is with shoulders it's possible to build them up so they are much stronger in the pull direction than they are in the let down direction. This imbalance is an invitation for reinjury! If you can't let the bow down slowly and in control you are in that situation.

It will take some experimentation to discover what theraband weights and lengths will work the best for you. Once you figure that out, commit to doing this exercise everyday.

[Deb]

That sounds great, I'm going to do this as my shoulders (both) are starting to complain pretty bad.

[bsimm78]

Get a 5lb dumbell (wal-mart) and some therabands from a physical therapist. Tie the therabands to the dumbell. Hold the dumbell like it's a bow and pull back on the therabands at least 30 times as slowly as you can stand it. Both the pull cycle and the let down cycle must be done slowly! It's crucially important that you do the reverse stroke slowly.

Should I try to match band weight with my bow weight? What resistance band weight do you recommend I use?

[fletcherfor2]

Your grip hand is the other end of your anchor point. Changes in form on your grip and left arm can certainly effect your point of impact.

I dislocated both shoulders in 2003. I thought I may never shoot a bow again. This is what I did and still do to keep my shoulders in shape.

Get a 5lb dumbell (wal-mart) and some therabands from a physical therapist. Tie the therabands to the dumbell. Hold the dumbell like it's a bow and pull back on the therabands at least 30 times as slowly as you can stand it. Both the pull cycle and the let down cycle must be done slowly! It's crucially important that you do the reverse stroke slowly.

The reason for this is with shoulders it's possible to build them up so they are much stronger in the pull direction than they are in the let down direction. This imbalance is an invitation for reinjury! If you can't let the bow down slowly and in control you are in that situation.

It will take some experimentation to discover what theraband weights and lengths will work the best for you. Once you figure that out, commit to doing this exercise everyday.

Thanks,

I've had a shoulder problem for several years, but was able to pull a bow without too much pain after "loosening" it up first (4-8 pulls).

This year I haven't pulled my bow since May and am just now starting back into building up my shoulder again. It's definitely causing pain now that I've let it atrophy for so long. I'll definitely give your suggestion a try.

[ItsLeo]

Should I try to match band weight with my bow weight? What resistance band weight do you recommend I use?

You should go with whatever weight you can just make 30 reps with and build up from there. This might be substantially less than your current draw weight. It's a good idea to start with less than your draw weight.

Don't worry about matching the weight with a single band. Get several of the lighter bands and pull multple bands simultaneously to find the right resistance.

[SLICE & DICE]

Mabye you should go to a left handed bow.
My friend had a shoulder injury and now shoots left handed better than he used to right handed.
Thank You for your service.

[Cottonwood]

bsimm78, I have a RH Browning Wasp 38# recurve that I want to gift you with, it needs a string. It is yours if you want it, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our Freedom and Country.

Let me know if you want this bow, and I will box it up.

PM me with your address if you do.

I just checked it, and it has a string with silencers on it. It was my other Wasp that needs the string.

Jon

[bsimm78]

Mabye you should go to a left handed bow.
My friend had a shoulder injury and now shoots left handed better than he used to right handed.
Thank You for your service.

That would be ok but my left shoulder is the messed up shoulder. I can't draw a bow with my left arm because of this. Plus my right eye is my dominant eye.