"tennis" elbow

[wingate_52]

Where did you get the Slazenger set-up from?

[Timid Toad]

The magic of Ebay, about £6, plus £1.50 P+P. I thought I'd start cheap as possible and move up if I needed more help, but I don't need anything more.

[Marcus26]

It may be your technique that is doing it.
As a junior I developed severe tendonitis in my bow shoulder. Shot through it.
It wasn't till years later that I discovered the reason for it was poor shoulder alignment. I fixed that up and have not had problems since then.

Tennis elbow is a repetitive injury due to excessive use of the forearm muscles. In archery the forearm muscles, especially on the bow side, should not be used at all. If you set your bow handcorrectly, shooting a straight arm and make sure your arm is close to the bow string you won't need to use these muscles.

[NoAngel]

I was recently informed by my GP that I had golfers elbow (I don't play Golf). He didn't know what it could be from, swimming, archery or climbing, but basically said stop doing them all till it was healed.

Now I’ve been shooting for 14 years and never had any physical problems, climbing for 10 and never had a problem (other than falling off), and swimming for 2 and have again never suffered.

Well not accepting any of this resting business I decided to do a little research of my own on the tinternet (GP’s worst nightmare). Searching for Golfers elbow, symptoms and treatment on Google, it gave endless results.

Try here for tennis elbow
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...eatment+&meta=

I have now started to massage the area before a shoot, and take more time to stretch and warm up/down both before and after a shoot. I too am occasionally using a support when I am feeling the pain in the elbow region. If it starts to swell up, I use ibuprofen gel and an icepack, works a treat.

Its still early days yet (about 2 weeks), but since I have been using this routine I have had very little discomfort.

Looking at it from an equipment point of view, do you grip the bow riser? Obviously there will be some vibration travelling down you arm from the riser, but if the bow is not griped in your hand, this can be greatly reduced.

[Timid Toad]

Part of the problem is a combination of not quite holding the bow - if I get it right the grip moves forward and out about an inch, and I catch it. I use a finger sling these days. Used to use a wrist sling but for me it made it worse. Plus when I have my more than occasional release cockup, plucking, the bow takes a jump and twist(top limb left, botton right - I'm right handed). This isn't huge, most people who might watch me can't see it, but I am aware of it. Its a combination of all of these that is causing the problem, I think. If I knew when the release was going to be rubbish, I'd be ready with the bow arm, but then if I knew that I'd not need to be ready with the bow arm! I'm told I do have good shoulder alignment, my bow arm is in a straight, not locked out, line, and the string whistles down so close I regularly nip myself with the string just past my elbow. If you hear me cussing on the line, thats why!
Needless to say I'm working on the release, and I'm considering moving down to a shorter riser with the same limbs in order to have less torque. I've always had the occasional pluck at the release, but only encountered pain problems since moving to my current set up. The old bow was a short riser and medium limbs. (As was the done thing when I bought it - you only had a long riser if, like Him Indoors, your knuckes drag along the ground!) In all other respects I love my bow, and it has really helped me to improve this season.
Certainly the option of taking 6 months out as recommended by my GP is a non-starter. I'd go mad! The brace is helping as pain relief as and when required. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

[Deadeye Doc]

Originally Posted by Timid Toad

Part of the problem is a combination of not quite holding the bow - if I get it right the grip moves forward and out about an inch, and I catch it. I use a finger sling these days. Used to use a wrist sling but for me it made it worse. Plus when I have my more than occasional release cockup, plucking, the bow takes a jump and twist(top limb left, botton right - I'm right handed). This isn't huge, most people who might watch me can't see it, but I am aware of it. Its a combination of all of these that is causing the problem, .

This has already been discussed with relation to the drawing arm, and what I said there with respect to the rotary forces on the arm at the elbow applies just as much here as with what I said to Mrs Robbo. If it really is "tennis elbow" then the pain is on the thumb side of the arm at the so called lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Golfers elbow has been mentioned along the way but this is on the other aspect of the elbow.
Have a look at this website ,

http://www.besttreatments.co.uk/btuk...ions/36800.jsp ,

for most of the information you need. The majority of medical information you will find on the internet is not properly assessed or vetted. "Best treatments" is an "Evidence-Based" website and has current best practice outlined on it. You may not like what it says but is what your GP has access to in a different format from another source, "Best Evidence".

I have been surprised at the torque generated during shooting with my short 4" extender and "V-bar" setup. The short extender is a Cartel Triple Carbon, with a central carbon part and two end parts made of (presumably) aluminium. The carbon bit is "glued" in to the aluminium ends. The AGF V-bar setup regularly rotates to the left during shooting simply because of the torque that you describe above so well. This torque is being transmitted repeatedly to your elbow and is more than enough to cause problems.

I have to say that I would urge you to have a look at your technique with respect to how you are using your bow arm. I suspect that Compound archers ought to have this problem mor so than recurve archers, as most don't use lateral stabilizers but the use of release aids will probably minimise the problems.

[phillc]

Hi timid it would be a good idea to see a sport physio I had a similar problem in my bow arm but my gp sent me to a physio to check what was going on, this guy was an ex professional cyclist who got me to take my bow in so he could check what was going on, he suggested that I changed the grip to a lower profile which stopped the problem,After a few ultra sound sessions to clear the swelling in the joint also a smaller version of the elbow support (worn for about a month all day).If you can find a medical supplies shop in your area they cost about £10 but are adjustable
Makes a change to have a GP that helps

[Andyakashrek]

I bought an Elastoplast Tennis Elbow support from Boots, £4.59. It is adjustable for size and has a pad which lies over the affected area. Instant relief.
Also can be worn all day under clothing no problem.

[Timid Toad]

Thanks for the website, Doc. Its excellent. It gives a very clear assessment of treatments available.
Based on this, I'm going to continue to use my brace, but I'm also going to invest in some Ibuprofen-type gel (which I always used to think was about much use as a chocolate fireguard), and I've been told I can request an appointment with an NHS physiotherapist without going via my GP. So tomorrow, thats where I'm off to.
I've got to improve my style enough to minimise the shocks, but if the Physioterrorist can suggest some kit and posture improvements with the fresh eye of someone who understands the mechanics, I'll be delighted. I'm also going to try shifting my lateral stabs around. I don't use an extender, but I do have them quite wide and angled down strongly. Messing around might help.
I'm planning on shooting for another 40 years, so I'm going to have to find some solutions!
I'm amazed by how many archers seem to have suffered from this at some time or another. I thought it was just silly old me.