Hand shock or "damn my elbows hurt"!!

[jmsmithy]

#2949

Hello All

Question – I don’t perceive any handshock as I shoot my 62″ Widow PMA OR my 52″ Fedora Stalker.

However, in last few weeks I’ve developed a definite pain in my left elbow (rt handed shooter). Minor amount but similar feeling in my right as well.

I don’t have any injury to make an obvious connection too other than heavy brush/weed whack job over month ago…

Any thoughts???

[Brennan Herr]

#14785

tendonitis maybe?

[David Coulter]

#14810

My first step is to visit my chiropractor who is specializes in athletics. He usually tells me that I’m not exercising enough. The theory is that you need to work your muscles harder in training than you do out in the world, be it shooting the bow or splitting wood. I’m using a bowfit for a few years now and it works really well. That said, it works well when I work it well.

[jmsmithy]

#19263

I’ve been shooting quite a bit in anticipation of upcoming bear hunt (approx 2 weeks away)… I’ve never felt what I consider a hand shock with either bow I’ll be hunting with this year. Always assumed hand shock would be an obvious, noticeable feeling upon release of the arrow…

Am I wrong? Could hand shock be something you don’t feel immediately but that could go on and cause a “tennis elbow” type injury :?::?:

[lyagooshka]

#19295

jmsmithy,

Not a Dr. (and this time I didn’t stay at a holiday inn). What kind of pain are you having (sharp, dull, stabbing, etc)? When do you get the pain (when drawing, at full draw, all the time, etc)? Does anything help (anti-inflammatory, cold, heat, etc)? Scale of 1-10, how bad is it? Have you seen a Dr.?

Reason I’m asking: It (unfortunately) could be a number of things. If you could describe it a little (not necessarily here, but to a healthcare professional) it will help them narrow it down. Something like an NSAID (Motrin or Naproxen) might be enough if it’s a bit of mild swelling. You might need some RX steroids if it’s moderate. There might be an anomaly that needs surgical intervention, like a bone chip (not trying to scare you, just saying).

No matter what, it looks like you are up against the wall with timing. The faster you see the Dr. the faster whatever treatment they give you can start working. No matter what tell the Dr. you plan on hunting while on any medication as you might need to have some side-effects (drowsiness, etc) looked at. That is another reason I asked about the intensity. If you can “bear” it for the hunt (pun intended), any treatment that may get in the way of the hunt can maybe be put off until after.

That aside, where are you off to? I almost got in on a discounted bear hunt in ME, but it sold out. Oh well. Anyway, hope it gets better and good luck on the hunt. Make sure you post photos when you get back (of the bear, not your elbow).

Alex

😀

[Ralph]

#19371

Gotta remember that your bow hand is pushing and/or holding against whatever weight you’re pulling with the other side of your body. Whether you feel hand shock or not, there is a sudden release of pressure when the arrow is loosed. I’m sure you’ve seen some of the videos of the dramatic vibrations and whatnot’s that a bow goes through upon release of the string. Some of that radical energy has to be absorbed and shared with the arm holding the bow I would think. I know often when I go to the gym a day or two after and extensive shooting session or one with a higher poundage than normal it normally is the bow hand of my body that feels the weights and resistance machines. Usually the deltoids and triceps it seems on my left side (I’m right handed).

Just some thinking from an old guy!!! Could be wrong, have been from time to time 😀

[jmsmithy]

#19796

Hey L & R2

Yes, I do have a pretty severe issue called JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). I have a rare form, when I flare, my entire body, all joints as well as most major organs, become severely inflamed…usual course of treatment is heavy steriods (cortico, not anabolic, such as prednisone) multiple NSAIDS, as well as biological agents such as Humira etc…really sucks but we muddle though! I got too many critters left on the “Bow Bucket List” to worry about…tell my wife (who lost her leg to bone cancer 20 yrs ago ) have pills, will travel!u

To familiar with therapists etc unfortunately…been trying to drill this down to see if indeed shooting related or some other craziness going on…

As for time being of the essence, we are going to Maine…originally tried to get in to the Black Widow hunt, only had one opening when we booked and I’m want to be with my son so we going following week. Roger Toby and the Widow folks pulling out as we pull in! Going with Squa Pan Mt Outfitters, Tony and Lynn Boucher. Seem like terrific folks in a real pretty area. My first trip to Maine so looking forward to it – my son’s 13th Bday gift ( works out for Dad too 😀 much to my wife’s chagrin )…look at their site,…awesome place to go with a youngster – deer/bear/fishing/moose ( if you win the coveted Maine lottery 🙄 ). And, cant beat price for the youngsters…don’t know if Tony publishes the deal but it’s MIGHTY impressive 😯 😆 😀

[Stephen Graf]

#20167

After shooting like crazy last year, I developed the pain in my left elbow too. I bought a “tennis elbow” strap at the drug store and use it every time I shoot (or do any other work like splitting wood, or working in the garden, etc). It keeps my elbow from hurting while shooting.

But still, a year later, it is still injured. It is getting better slowly. If you read about tennis elbow / golf elbow you will read about the tendons involved. And that it takes a really long time to heal.

[jmsmithy]

#20349

That’s what I’m afraid of!…I could deal with medical nonsense but a long winded injury is doubly annoying 🙄

😀

[jpcarlson]

#20654

Hey guys…

I developed that same pain described myself a few years ago. I’m a right handed shooter so it was my left elbow. I was only shooting a 55# recurve, but it hurt like heck directly upon release. I tried to up the tip weight on my arrows (at the time,I didn’t know about UFOC arrow set ups and only went up to a 145 gr tip). It seemed the shock to my elbow got worse as I shot heavier tips too. I thought the heavier arrow would absorb more energy from the bow and lessen the shock to my elbow.

I did find some relief by tying on rubber cat whiskers on my string. They seemed to absorb some of the vibration.

What ended up working was lots of Ibuprofin, icing, lots of stretching (actually my hands/fingers to stretch the forearm muscles) and rest:( I had to stop shooting every day and only shoot a couple of times a week. Its about 4 years later now and it seems to have gone away. I would second the comment about working out to strengthen your body, as well as LOTS of stretching. I find yoga to work wonders in preventing injuries.

I am now shooting a UFOC arrow settup and this seems to take care of the problem as so much more of the energy from the bow is being absorbed by the arrow upon release.

best of luck and have a great hunt!

jans

[George D. Stout]

#29769

Go to the doctor and get a quality checkup. No offense to the armchair physicians here, but you can screw up your elbow way too easily by listening to, “it may be”….or “it probably is.” Go to the doctor and get the real lowdown.

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