How Do you handle / deal with a Sore Shoulder or Arm ?

[andrew53]

Hi, 1st time poster.

Lately my arm and shoulder has been sore.

Probably strained at work, but with daily AP shooting it's not getting any better.

How do you guys handle this ? Continue shooting ? Exercise ?

Any and all advice will be appreciated.

Tks.

[Pat McCoy]

Get medical advice somewhere other than a shooting forum.

The doc will probably tell you to rest it.

After that get a PT to advise you on correct strengthening exercises depending of if it is the arm, or shoulder, or both.

[Rover]

Have a naked oiled virgin rub your sore places with her body.

If it doesn't work, you won't care.

[Leadbelly]

Ice bag is better than heating pad. The heat feels great, but people use it way to long which does not help. Most good anti-inflammatory meds will help speed up the problem. NOTHING IS FAST, that's legal.

[atomicgale]

So far, I think Rover has suggested the best cure. Do I need a prescription for that?

[Gwhite]

Definitely see a doctor, and don't try to "tough it out." I tried that twice, with poor results. The first was when I tried to get in better shape & did lotys of pushups. I developed sinovitis in my right elbow, and could shoot for over a year. I had to get cortisone shots, and the scar tissue will tick off the nerves if I over do anything in the least. I had to switch to being left handed for my other sport (fencing). I will never be able to shoot a centerfire match again.

The 2nd time, I had tennis elbow. I did see a doctor, and used a compression wrap, but continued shooting. It hurt, but it wasn't too bad. I now have an involuntary flinch when my pistol goes off (or I anticipate it going off) that at its worst would flip shots outside the scoring rings. I figured it was completely mental now, because I found my self flinching when other people's guns go off. I've spent several years trying to re-train my brain that it's not going to hurt when the pistol fires. It's getting better, but I've got a long ways to go before I'm back to where I was, and I'm getting older & wobblier all the time.

Rest, and at the most, occasionally do a little air pistol until you feel ALL better.

[TenMetrePeter]

Pain is nature's way of telling us to stop doing whatever it is that hurts.
A week or two off shooting will not not damage your shooting but will help the shoulder

[william]

Everybody seems to have missed this: Don't get old.

[j-team]

Everybody seems to have missed this: Don't get old.

Getting old is better than the alternative!

[Gwhite]

You remind me of the mad scientist who said: "Bwa ha ha! (Don't know why, but they always say that...) With my secret elixer/amulet/machine, I'm going to live forever!

So far, so good..."

[andrew53]

Dear All:

Tks. for all your advice,
From the wishful to the practical.

Guess I'll have to find something to do during my recuperation.

Do any of your suffer repetitive injuries from 10m AP ?

Tks. Andy

[Rover]

I do a fair amount of AP shooting as well as .22. I have had no problems.

I AM getting old, though, but I plan to live forever.

[renzo]

I do a fair amount of AP shooting as well as .22. I have had no problems.

I AM getting old, though, but I plan to live forever.

Does this mean that we´ll be forced to cope with your senseless rants for ever and ever???

[Ricardo]

About repetitive strain: I busted my right shoulder from a combination of years of swimming, doing lab research (micropipetting -long story) and shooting. Rotator cuff injury of some sort, not precisely diagnosed but if I quit my physical therapy exercises for more than a couple of weeks the pain comes back. And this is after having to start shooting left-handed. SO... my advice is to take this more seriously. For PT, look up rotator cuff rehab or "thrower's ten", which is a regimen for athletes who use their shoulder a lot. I find these exercises necessary for just staying pain-free and, like I said, I no longer shoot with that arm. Don't let it get to that point.

[10M_Stan]

The common treatment is rest, ice, compression, elevation (i.e. RICE). I found the freeze cold wrap helps along with NSAIDS (non steroid anti inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen when I have overdone my shoulder. But, I think the most import part is rest.

Once recovered, doing some strength training may help prevent that injury again. Getting good medical advice beats any internet message board information - but following the medical advice is the most important part. I am constantly amazed by the number of people who pay significant fees to get medical advice then ignore it (then often complain how it didn't work).

[Rover]

I do a fair amount of AP shooting as well as .22. I have had no problems.

I AM getting old, though, but I plan to live forever.

Does this mean that we´ll be forced to cope with your senseless rants for ever and ever???

You remind me of the reason most men die before their wives.

They WANT to.

[gwsb]

I ruined both shoulders from 40 years of small bore prone. Saw a Dr, had surgery, now rehab with air pistol.

No 1 thing stop doing it. No 2 see a dr.

Rover's advice re the virgin will certainly help the swelling go down.

[deadeyedick]

Rover's advice re the virgin will certainly help the swelling go down.

I thought Rovers advice might cause an increase in swelling.

[TenMetrePeter]

Rover's advice re the virgin will certainly help the swelling go down.

I thought Rovers advice might cause an increase in swelling.

If it does that, he'll need to remember to use the left hand.

[B Lafferty]

Everybody seems to have missed this: Don't get old.

Getting old is better than the alternative!

Every day above ground is a good day with or without the suggested massage.

I often have some pain in my left, shooting arm, shoulder. It goes back to an old football injury. My meds of choice are Ibuprofen or naproxem sodium taken about 1/2 hour before shooting.