Dealing with a shoulder injury

[Band]

After a bike accident last July in which I tore up the ligaments in my shoulder and wasn't able to use my archery tag this past Fall, I am frustrated that my shoulder has still not healed to the point where I can pull back my bow comfortably at all.  It's painful and I can only shoot about 4 arrows before the pain gets too intense.

I have been using one of those big rubber band things I got in physical therapy some time ago to help in the recovery process but it doesn't seem to be doing any good.  If anyone has tips on how to overcome such an injury so I can pull my bow back I'm all ears.

I can't tell you how hard it was to miss hunting season last year and I sure as heck don't want that to happen again!

[alwinearcher]

The bands sound like a good start. (im not a Dr)

How many pounds is your bow set at and what style cams?
Does it hurt to pull the bands?
I know several people that have had shoulder injurys and have gotten single cam bows with 40-50# draw weight and were able to start shooting once again because the draw was so gentle.

[GoldTip]

Have you seen a Doctor regarding this injury and he sent you to P.T.?  Is that when you got the band?  If so, go back to the Doctor and let him know what's going on.  You should be better than what your describing by now or your Doc should be looking into other diagnostic tools or different treatment regimens for you.

[NRA4LIFE]

I tore a rotator cuff 7 or 8 years ago and went through the same PT as you may have because I elected not to have surgery.  It wasn't a real bad tear.  My PT went for 3 or 4 months, once or twice a week and then the rubber hose home therapy for another 2 months or so.  After 6 months I was back to better than 95% I'd say and I could use my bow no problem.  You may have a worse injury than known.  Have you had an MRI recently?

[sisu]

So far everyone's advice is spot on. Doc, PT, and something no one mentioned that a lot of top Olympic athletes do is: visualization. The concept involves seeing the injury area as it should look when healthy. Then as you exercise you visualize the healthy joint. I have used this for myself and student athletes. Both for injury, studies and to view one successful on the mat before a match.

Never under estimate the power of the mind.

I've been laughed at for this concept but I don't care because I know it works. Seeing, & experiencing is the truth in the mustard. 

[GlennGTR]

Buy a rifle, that fixed mine right up.

[Band]

I shoot a dual cam bow set at 60#.  I'm considering moving it down to 50# to see if I can work my way back to 60#.

The exercise band actually came from a separate injury to the same location about 4 years ago.  The original injury has never fully healed and I have essentially lost my ability to throw with my dominant arm as a result.  I could still shoot my bow with no problems but now after the re-injury I seem to have lost that ability as well (hopefully only temporarily).  I found that I could pull it back for the first couple of arrows but only if I raised my arm skyward to do so, which obviously is not a good idea.  Toward the end of the draw cycle the pain is just too intense and I certainly can't hold it for more than a couple of seconds.

After examining the MRI the Dr. didn't think the tear was quite bad enough to operate but I'm afraid your guys are right, I need to go back and tell him the situation and try to get some sort of a resolution.  I was hoping that someone here might have experienced recovery from a similar injury that could give me a few tips that didn't involve going back for more physical therapy because my very good insurance plan got a lot less good at the beginning of the year and my out of pocket costs have gone up considerably.

[millertime89]

I tore the tendons in my left shoulder about 6 or 7 years back and after going to the PT for a few months and working it almost daily with the elastic bands i was able to start shooting again. I actually started with a genesis at about #30 and worked back up to #55 and a dual cam bow over about a months time.. All i can say is don't rush it, shoulders are a painful injury especially if you damage them midway through the recovery time