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Proper draw technique videos?

fr0sty

Active Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2017
Messages
180
Location
Minnesota
I've been dealing with rotator cuff impingement in my draw shoulder for nearly three years and it's really affecting my ability to practice.

I'll skip the full back story, but I've been seeing a pt along with an orthopedic specialist and have made some progress but keep regressing when I shoot the bow. I assume that is partially due to my draw technique.

I've watched many contradictory video on the YouTube and was wondering if anyone here has experience with shoulder impingement and/or know of any good videos on how to draw and not mess up the draw shoulder.
 
Stretching the shoulders 20-30 minutes every day will be about the only non invasive thing you can do that will make any sort of noticeable difference.

Next closest in efficacy will be dropping draw weight.

About tenth on the list is the exact way you draw your bow.

I have dealt with similar issues. I shouldn’t be able to, nor should I probably be pulling 80lbs. But I can fairly easily and pain free. Stretching has been the only thing that has changed anything.
 
It was 60#, but dropped it to 40# this year and then gradually increased to 56#. I don't really feel pain or discomfort when shooting, but then the ache starts a few hours later. I shoot between four to ten arrows to stop inflaming the tendons and have been icing and taking alleve, along with doing my daily PT.


What is your bow draw poundage set at?
 
At first yes, but then I gave it a rest and worked pt more, then restarted. It's really strange as some days I can do 10 shots at the higher weight and have no issues but then get a flare-up after doing 4 or 5
 
I've been dealing with rotator cuff impingement in my draw shoulder for nearly three years and it's really affecting my ability to practice.

I'll skip the full back story, but I've been seeing a pt along with an orthopedic specialist and have made some progress but keep regressing when I shoot the bow. I assume that is partially due to my draw technique.

I've watched many contradictory video on the YouTube and was wondering if anyone here has experience with shoulder impingement and/or know of any good videos on how to draw and not mess up the draw shoulder.
Not trying to be this guy but what bow are you shooting? I’ve shot a ton of different bows. Certain bows have made my shoulder hurt. The Mathews Creed was one of them. I could shoot 2 bows back to back, 70lbs and one would make my shoulder hurt and not the other. Maybe try another bow at a lesser draw even though that’s obviously not the best option, u

Maybe drop your weight back down. When I shoot I don’t always shoot 100 arrows. Sometimes I’ll shoot like 5. Try that too. Sorry to hear about this! I hope it works out for you!

When I draw I’m aimed slightly higher than my target. It’s easier to come down but harder to come up to the target. Although if draw somewhat low helps your shoulder I’m sure that’s something to try too
 
My first bow was an infinite edge pro which i sold this year and purchased a v3x.

I have been working with a dr and physical therapist for 2 years. Two tenotomy procedures to remove calcified tendon (no joy), third procedure to dissolve and suck out the calcification, which was great until I tweaked my shoulder on a test draw in the stand.

Since then it's been a couple cortisone shots to keep the inflammation down so I can contine with pt. Follow up with ortho guy later this year.

Ah the joys of getting old
 
I don't know your demographics, medical history or whole situation (type of work you do/did), but many people I treat for this (I'm a PT) tend to be pectoral dominant and rounded in their posture. Along with that, generally most people are weaker in the posterior rotator cuff and scapular muscles. hopefully your healthcare team is addressing the whole picture or your symptoms will keep returning. you have to treat the "driver", not just the end-result tissue being affected (supraspinatus).
Things that tend to work:
-address posture (think relaxed military)
-I find keeping the pec muscles stretched (try "doorway pec stretch"),
-and addressing any other limitation like GIRD/glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (try "sleeper stretch")
-external rotation exercises
-rowing and "face pull" exercises for posterior cuff and scapular muscle strengthening
this guy, while a bit annoying is actually fairly spot on and has a few good videos on the shoulder that might help you
 
A month or so back somebody posted some archery exercises. Using your bow as an exercise tool. IIRC, three exercises: grasping the string at anchor, extend your bow hand to full draw and return; stuff like that.
 
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