Elbow pain

valleysniper · February 24, 2020, 09:35:46 PM

I am starting to develop elbow pain in my draw arm. Not the usual tendonitis kind of pain but pain at the beginning of my forearm where it meets my elbow on the backside, if that makes sense. Anybody else get this ? Maybe it's a by product of bad form. I actually think it started when I tried to overstretch my draw when I was tired. Now what ?

McDave · February 24, 2020, 10:51:13 PM

In my experience, the best thing to do with a new pain is to take ibuprofen or something for a few days and see if it goes away. Ease into it when you start back. Try to relax the muscles in your drawing forearm when you draw the bow; it should just be like links in a chain connecting your elbow to your hand. If the pain comes back when you start shooting again, it might be time for some rehab.

Deno · February 24, 2020, 11:09:48 PM

https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Tennis-Elbow

Stringwacker · February 25, 2020, 07:08:27 AM

I'm sure your situation will not follow the same path as I'm going to mention below: but its an odd coincidence...

I felt the exact same pain in my drawing elbow back in the spring of '16. The pain was so bad that it hurt to move my right arm. Oddly, I could take some Ibuprofin and shoot nearly pain free.

Against common sense, I continued to shoot throughout the summer with higher doses of Ibuprofin. Eventually, I started having neck pain and was dropping weight at a pretty good pace though I wasn't doing anything special to lose the weight. I kind of liked the weight loss; so I put off going to a doctor.

By September, I was a Ibuprofin junkie and had lost 25 pounds. I was hanging stands for the October opener. I got back to camp and without pain or any notice, it was like someone turned down the lights outside...I went totally blind in my left eye for about 8 minutes. Long story made short, I was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arterites and now I take prednisone and Actemra for the rest of my life...which is likely a lot shorter period than it used to be due to increased risk of stroke, cancer, and heart attacks.

There is no known cause of cure for GCA, but I will always think the brain inflammation started in my elbow. You can't fix stupid. Give that elbow some rest.

valleysniper · February 25, 2020, 08:07:37 AM

Stringwacker, I'm glad to hear you are dealing with your issue. I think I will go with the tennis elbow thing for now.....lol

wapitishooter · February 25, 2020, 08:30:30 AM

I had the same pain back in 2014. I bought a exercise tube off amazon, its a solid piece of rubber about 12in long maybe 1in and a half dia. you use it by twisting it and it took care of my issue.

McDave · February 25, 2020, 09:33:01 AM

It's called a Theraband Flexbar. I used it when I had tennis elbow a few years ago, and agree that it is worthwhile. There are videos available if you are curious. The secret to curing tennis elbow is to do the right exercises. Doing too much or the wrong exercises makes the problem worse; doing no exercise leads to atrophy and makes the problem worse.

However, before you get all caught up in this, just give it a rest and maybe it will go away on its own. We all get aches and pains, moreso as we age. Getting old ain't for sissies!

Sam McMichael · February 25, 2020, 09:43:14 AM

I have issues with both elbows that periodically flare up. The best advice I can give is to rest it for several weeks. Go to the doctor and follow his advice. Don't rush this healing process. Ibuprofen and pain relief creams have given me temporary relief, but I still have to lay off from time to time, particularly in cold weather. Shoot a lighter bow for a while when you start back shooting. Good luck with your treatment.

FLgary · February 25, 2020, 06:59:26 PM

Find an acupuncturist

valleysniper · February 25, 2020, 07:22:35 PM

Dr. appy\t tomorrow, we will see what she says and go from there

valleysniper · February 26, 2020, 04:48:04 PM

Well, turns out it's a severe case of tennis elbow. Have some exercises to do. Glad it's not that serious. I will be chomping at the bit to get back to shooting.

Sam McMichael · February 26, 2020, 07:05:24 PM

Let me repeat what I said previously. Don't be in too big a rush. Tennis elbow is very serious at that point that it is too painful to shoot well. If you rest it and do the exercises the doctor gave you, things will go well. Just don't let your eagerness to get back shooting lead you into making your situation worse. I have it in both elbows, so I understand your frustration. It may not be that serious at this time, but it could go there.

valleysniper · February 26, 2020, 07:26:59 PM

Ya I understand that, I'm going to lay low for a few weeks. Hopefully that will be enough I guess I'll take a few more weeks off. Really want to hunt Turkey this year with a bow

varmint101 · February 26, 2020, 07:30:00 PM

I had that for a while too a 2-3 years ago. Lasted a good couple months. Basically I had to stop shooting completely.

valleysniper · February 26, 2020, 07:39:51 PM

I hope mine isn't that back I've been fighting serious injuries just to get this far, don't want to delay more than I need to...Gary