As I said, this is my first full week of owning a bow. I've been practicing a lot, and even took a target to my hunting spot to practice some shots between trees and such. But I think I've over-done it. At first my left arm (right handed shooter) was a little sore. Now when I pull my bow back, I get this strong sharp pain in and just below my delt. After that it's downhill, it just throbs like a toothache. I cant shoot it more than twice before it becomes unbearable. Could it be bad form ? Have I seriously torn something ? Do I just need to slow down ? I'm going hunting tomorrow morning, but I won't be drawing the bow unless I get a chance at a shot. Otherwise Im thinking of laying off it for a week or so. I have considered taking creatine to help the muscles heal. Any thoughts on this guys ?
Id hunt because you only have to draw the bow once (hopefully) and then take next week off and see if it gets better and if it doesn't Id have it seen about.
I think my biggest problem is I started out with it at 60# and that was too much for me, so I had it dropped to 55#. I have shot everyday since I got it. Im definetly hunting, but I think you are right about some time off.
Take some time off NOW, work on stretching exercises, and maybe even drop the bow down to closer to 50# if you can, and get your body used to using those muscles that you use to draw AND hold your bow. If you're hurting, you're more likely to make a bad shot which equals a wounded deer and you being even more frustrated.
Don't take creatine to help your muscles. Take your bow in the morning, only draw back if you get a shot at something. The muscles you use to pull back a bow, aren't used that often in everyday use. Don't tune your bow down again, leave it where it's at. Just take a break for a week, then work back into it. Shoot only like 3 rounds a day, instead of 10, or how many ever you've been shooting. It's the equivalent of weight lifting, if you haven't lifted in awhile, you are going to be SORE, and you won't want to lift because the pain will be unbearable if you overdue it,(which it sounds like you have). It's nothing to be worried about, just take the week off from shooting, let your muscle heal. Hope this helps.
Don't take this the wrong way, but you're trying to do too much at the last minute. You shouldn't be going into the woods unless you're comfortable with your bow and you're shooting well enough to point that thing at a deer. JMHO
Take everyone's advice, over-use injuries can become chronic long-term nagging injuries if you don't stop using it now and give it a break.. and give it more of a break than you think you'll need, probably two weeks before you start shooting practice again. then when you start up again, go slow, and work into it. You don't want to have recurring tendonitis the rest of your life in that shoulder. It only gets worse as you get older. Take a break, give it some ice, and for god sake don't draw you bow unless there is a DEER right in front of you!
Thanks for the advice guys See my other thread http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?t=16417 I've practiced out to 60 yards, I dont think 15 will be an issue. Look here http://forums.bowhunting.com/showpost.php?p=239530&postcount=418 to see where Im hunting.
