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Archery and Shoulder Injuries

The major motion in archery is drawing a bow. If weak or not well-conditioned, the muscles of the rotator cuff are subject to strain and injury because they pull the string back

  1. Incidence

    • Rotator cuff injuries become more common with age. The most vulnerable age group is people over 40.

    Mild Pain

    • Inflammation from small tears of the muscles or tendons most commonly results in mild pain when you draw the bow, although you'll probably still be able to shoot.

    More Serious Symptoms

    • If you continue to shoot despite the pain, the tears can increase and you may disrupt the attachment of the rotator cuff muscles and become unable to draw the bow at all.

    Bursitis

    • Repeated strain can also cause inflammation of the bursa, which are fluid-filled sacs that surround and cushion the bones in the shoulder from each other as they move. This inflammation is called bursitis.

    Prevention

    • You can prevent shoulder pain and injury by strengthening your rotator cuff muscles. Start with a lower draw weight, gradually increase it, and warming up and loosening your shoulder before shooting will all help prevent injury.

    Treatment

    • Take anti-inflammatories like aspirin or Advil for mild pain. For more severe symptoms, consult a specialist in sports medicine or an orthopedic surgeon and have your shoulder evaluated.

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