Big problem came up today, need real advise.

[ihookem]

I went out on a nice 2 hr hunt today. It was cold and windy with light snow. A bit before dark, ( 430 PM) I had a buck about 50 yds and never came close. About 10 minutes later another buck, a nice 8 point 2 yr old or so cam by. I raised my bow and he never saw me As I pull back my arrow I get a terrible pain in my draw shoulder. I could not pull back the arrow as he stood broadside looking away.. As chip shot if I ever had one. My questions are very important to me and am asking if this ever happened to you before and what you did about it. I think it's my rotator cuff but not sure . The pain was terrible watching him stroll away and tried again just to endure more pain. I decided to lift my bow above and then pull down and I could draw it back twice but barely could do it. Does anyone do exercises before they go out to loosen up ? Does anyone pull back the arrow on the stand to keep yourself from getting too stiff? And does anyone do exercises on the off and on season workouts to keep you arms stronger. I have no interest a crossbow but hardly a doubt i would have a buck hanging tonight. To make matters worse , I only pull back 47 lbs so I dont want to go much less, although I never shoot more than 20 yds anyway so I could go to 43lbs? What do you guys do to help yourself? I did go to my 20yd basement bow range and could pull it back but was very sore. However, I shot very well. Does anyone take aspirin before a hunt to keep from getting sore? I think this may help. Thanks in advance, I hookem, a very frustrated hunter.

[Jonny]

I’d go to a doctor first honestly. My dad has a torn labrum in his shoulder but it doesn’t sound like that’s what you have. He could pull his bow easy back but would scream bloody murder when he shot. The release of pressure is what got him.

Went to the doctor, got a cortisone shot, and hasn’t done a thing since going on 8 years now. Labrum is still torn, but he can do anything he wants with his shoulder. Used to struggle to lift it to 90 degrees.

If it’s rotator cuff, that’s a bear. Hate to say it, but don’t put it off or try dealing with it. Bite the bullet and be done with it. Go in now, and maybe salvage the gun/late season. Otherwise get fixed up for next year so you aren’t dealing with it later.

Think it was dr Pennington since you are local. Guy is phenomenal. Kicked his kids but in football though

Dropping poundage is only a fix today. It won’t fix tomorrow.

[muddy]

Doctor immediately. Sorry to hear your troubles.

[Dewey]

Hopefully it’s just a minor muscle strain. Easy to do especially with inactive muscles quickly used in cold weather. I have done it myself a few times luckily nothing ever too serious and I was able to work through the pain with ibuprofen. I agree have a doctor check it out if your still really sore tomorrow. Hopefully it’s not something worse.

Sucks getting old doesn’t it?

[reaper4420]

I agree with the guys above. Blew my rotator last Dec... Surgery in April... Couldn't pull my bow till Sept. Long, painful rehab with lots of therapy, BUT it is good as new now. Get to a good orthopedic surgeon and get an MRI done. Good luck.

[street28ss]

Best advice I can give is after you've recovered from your injury, practice drawing your bow by activating your back. A bow should be drawn using your shoulder blades.

Leading up to the season I also would encourage you to exercise the muscles you're gonna use. Also the more you draw, the better. I draw at 80lbs easily, part of that is because I'm a decently muscular person, but mostly because I've learned the best technique on how to draw back. I have strained my shoulder muscles in the past by doing it wrong. Good luck.

[ihookem]

Thanks everyone. I will see what a good night sleep will bring.

[stash59]

Good luck!!!

[mauser06]

I'd definitely rest it and try to ease into some movements and activities. Stay away from pulling the bow or anything else that causes pain. If it was bad I'd definitely seek medical help.


To answer some of the other questions....


I do draw while on stand. Especially during long cold sits. Just for that very reason.


My first season I was in the stand. Young and strong...had my bow maxed out. All bundled up. Long dark to dark sit in the cold. I went to draw my bow and physically couldn't get it back. I eventually did but my muscles felt completely wiped out. I went home and took a lot of weight off the bow. And started drawing once in a while when I sit there in the stand.

I don't do any kind of special workouts or anything but I do try to shoot through the season to keep the muscles toned and loose and the muscle memory.


Good luck. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

[treeroot]

I'd say if it's still sore get it checked out then at least you know.

I had my right labrum repaired 3 tares, plus rotator cuff repaired and bicep reattached.

Left shoulder almost the same deal except they relocated the attachment for my bicep. Rotator cuff wasn't as bad on that side.

[BigRed]

May just be tendonitis in your rotator like others have mentioned. I had it before last season and had exactly your issue. Go get it checked but you could also search rotator cuff exercises with rehab bands. Mine was work comp related so I went to therapy, but there is a ton of info online. They are cheesy exercises but they do help.

[Ditz]

Go to an orthopedist and/or a doctor of physical therapy who is board certified in orthopedics to be evaluated. The shoulder is a complex joint and there are multiple structures that could be causing your problem. Either specialist can perform a good differential diagnosis of your shoulder and determine the problem.

A doctor of physical therapy can let you know what exercises to do for a warmup, and a good strength/stability program to do specific for archery to keep your shoulders healthy.

[ThePreBanMan]

See a doc. Hit the gym and work that back thereafter.

[live2hunt]

I say see a doc, but I’ve also had something similar. Simply raising my shoulder was painful in certain positions. I went to my chiropractor first. It ended up my back was out up high that caused a rib to create nerve pain in my shoulder. Not sure how all that works and really didn’t ask after they put me back in.

[Motivated]

Drawing occasionally while you're on stand is a good idea just to keep the muscles limber. You can also do isometric exercises while you're on stand without creating movement.

If you feel better tomorrow morning you're likely going to be tempted not to go see a doctor for an exam. However keep in mind that this could happen again the next time you see a bigger buck. A good orthopedic surgeon can do an exam that will give you lots of information and guide you in the right direction.

You might need some stretching, you might need better posture, you might need medication, you might need exercises, you might need an injection, you might need surgery. You might need a lot of things but the point is you're going to be guessing unless you get an expert opinion.

You were right on with your title. You need real advice from a real professional. Do not blow this off. The shoulder is complicated and if you want to keep bowhunting for years in the future you will take care of it at the first sign of trouble.

I do orthopedic physical therapy for a living and was a board certified specialist for 10 years. My advice is get an exam.