okiedog Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 Well, take this for whats its worth, but I feel I need to tell my story on shooting a bow for many years. I went to the doctor yesterday for a complete physical. I'am the worlds worse about not going to the doctor unless something is wrong, so I felt it was time for a alittle check-up. Most everything checked out pretty good, but when he got to checking out my movement in my arms and shoulders, he started asking questions: Doc: What do you do all day long for work? Me: Mostly sit at a desk and do work on the computer. Doc: What do you do as a hobby? Me: I do alot of fishing in the summer and hunting in the fall Doc: Do you shoot a bow? Me: Yep... shoot quite a bit of 3D during the summer too. Doc: You shoot left handed.. dont you? He told me that I had lost some movement in my left shoulder and he feels some damage in it. He said if I don't start stretching and doing some exercises before its going to get alot worse. He said in 5-10 years I might not be able to raise my arm above my head and he would be writing me a letter for a crossbow. Now I've read alot of threads over on AT about this sort of thing for years, and I was one of those guys that thought "that will never happen to me". I'am not that old of a guy yet at 34 (or atleast I don't think so:D), but this is a very real thing people and something that everyone that shoots a bow should be thinking about. Like I said take it for what it is worth to you, but I think I'am turning down the poundage a bit on my bow. Also, I didn't feel any pain in that shoulder until he worked it over yesterday, and I'am still feeling it today. My right shoulder feels fine. Something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 Good warning;) Like the doc said, "Start stretching and doing some exercises before you shoot" or whenever. That will take care of that problem. A cheap pair of 5 lb dumbbells do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natethebowhunter Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 when did you start shooting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 Great post....When i worked at basspro archery dept. we always had guys coming in, wanting bows of 70#. Even the young fellows, i would tell them about shoulder and arm problems, but most didn't want to hear about it, they wanted poundage, and lots of it, they figured poundage + light arrows= Speed, i tried to tell them about the damage they could run into, but most didn't want to hear it, guess it's a macho thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted November 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 when did you start shooting? I started shooting a bow in 97. I didn't start shooting year around till a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted November 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 they wanted poundage, and lots of it, they figured poundage + light arrows= Speed Guilty! I've still got my 1st bow and I think its got a 6" overdraw on it:rolleyes:. I even bought a new bow this year and tweaked on the cable and string for weeks trying to get the max poundage and speed out of it. Do I need it to hunt or shoot 3D?... No! Why did I do it?.... That is good question I'am asking myself while I rub my shoulder because it is still sore. Funny thing though, never had any trouble pulling the bow and shooting, much less never had any pain. Let me tell you though, there is something there because he did the same thing to both shoulders and there are some issues with my left one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Good thing I work out daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Good thing my bow is only 60 pounds then. I actually thought about another bow for next year, 70 pounder too! Guess Ill stick with my 60! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Thanks for the reminder....with these new bows, no need for all the high draw weights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 If you can't draw your bow slowly and keep it on target throughout the entire draw cycle then you are above what poundage you should be shooting. You should also be able to let down with the same control. This exercise identifies a poundage thats too high and if the draw length is too long. Besides the stretching suggestion which is a very good one. If you can't pass the controlled draw and let off test, I guarantee you will have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Thanks for the warning. I've got plenty of years of pitching to go along with a shoulder that pulls back 70 pounds a bunch. I'm sure it'll catch me in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted November 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 I've got plenty of years of pitching to go along with a shoulder that pulls back 70 pounds a bunch. I'm sure it'll catch me in the long run. Yeah.. he also mentioned he sees this problem alot with pitchers. As far as the draw weight goes, I have never had a problem drawing my weight. Sitting in a chair with my feet off the floor and slowing drawing my bow has never been a problem. I'am just now seeing the effects of it. Like I said, I was the guy who thought it would never happen to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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