Bow Arm Control

[Field Archer]

A few years ago I had a slipped disc in my neck, a nerve was trapped, resulting in almost total loss of control of my left (bow arm) tricep for about 3 months.
Ever since this, I am frequently unable to lock my bow arm properly, just as I get close to full draw, the arm relaxes, I then have to come down and start again. It is not a muscle problem, the tricep is now quite strong, but a control problem, I’m told that the nerve damage may never fully repair.

Has anyone got any suggestions with exercise, or technique, on how I could re-educate my control system so that I can lock my arm.

If this is in the wrong place, could a moderator please move it.

[geoffretired]

Is this the elbow of the bow arm that is unlocking?

[Field Archer]

Yes Geoff, it is the elbow.

[Kae]

How do you come up to full draw Shel?

I wonder if approaching the "locked" position from another angle/direction may help?

Kae.

[its my party and]

An exercise given to people who dislocate their elbow is to line yourself up to a wall take a step back. Place arm on wall and lean into vertical press up against the wall. As you become more proficient at holding your weight increase the distance and then eventually move yourself around until it becomes a forward on vertical press up. You could also try press ups as well depending upon your strength and confidence in your arm. Also you can reverse this by attaching a rope to a structure and pull your self up and lower yourself into a locked position then pull yourself up again. Depending upon how your problem shows itself one of the above may work or you could switch arms. Rehabilitation excercises ah don't you just hate them!

[Field Archer]

Originally Posted by Kae

How do you come up to full draw Shel?

I wonder if approaching the "locked" position from another angle/direction may help?

Kae.

I start the draw with a pre-draw of about 6” with the bow at rest. Bring the bow arm up, maybe just above horizontal and then come to full draw. If I don’t concentrate continuously on keeping the elbow locked, it will begin to bend and a slight tremor sets in, if I continue to hold, it ends in a soft shot.

[Old Bloke]

Well, this is a new one on me Shel. Shoulder issues with trapped nerves and collapsing shoulders (Bow arm) are quite common with archers who have shoulder injuries. Linda is now having acupunture following a frozen shoulder on the second day at the All British 5 years ago. She simply didn't have enough strength to hold the bow up. Drew Arundle, a damn good shot down these parts also had the same problem and his whole bow arm would collapse at full draw. He hasn't shot for 5 years now as his shoulder still does it.
Is your problem truely the elbow or the shoulder?

[Field Archer]

It could be the shoulder, but it shows itself as an elbow problem. The elbow wants to bend while at full draw.
When I had the trapped nerve, I could lift my arm up behind my head, similar to throwing a javelin, or holding a towel to dry yourself after a shower, but while holding the elbow in the same position, could not lift the hand up without assistance.

[Old Bloke]

Someone out there must have come across this problem. Tried the Saggi board yet? Vittorio will have an answer I'm sure. Isn't TexArc into such things?

[LineCutter]

Originally Posted by Field Archer

A few years ago I had a slipped disc in my neck, a nerve was trapped, resulting in almost total loss of control of my left (bow arm) tricep for about 3 months.

C7 nerve root according to here & here. Note also the other muscles supplied from the same root.

Originally Posted by Field Archer

Ever since this, I am frequently unable to lock my bow arm properly...It is not a muscle problem, the tricep is now quite strong, but a control problem...
Has anyone got any suggestions with exercise, or technique, on how I could re-educate my control system so that I can lock my arm.

Time for the dreaded "see a physio" answer.
You ought not to have normal power & yet not normal..."power". You can test the "not a muscle problem" with some weights (sounds as if you've done that though).
If you have the power, then the problem is likely the bit between your ears & probably not your neck/arm/shoulder. (Please do that power testing with your neck rotated to a full draw position though ). That's where the exact mechanics/process of your draw need attention from someone who can interpret what they are seeing. It shouldn't take much power to keep your elbow straight (say a vector of 10% of your draw weight).

Old Bloke can measure your upper arm circumferences the next time you meet as a triple check.