The pain of it all

[bonefamily]

Curious to hear other's stories regarding this -

I have a RSI work related injury that caused a tennis elbow condition in my elbows. Ibuprofen releives this pain to a degree but it is still there. Now, I love to go to the range and this can sometimes flare it up more often than not. It seems the combination of heavier triggers and holding the arms out doesn't work well with the sore elbows - not to mention the older I get . I'm just curious to hear your all stories and if you too deal with pain when shooting. Thanks.

[g.willikers]

Welcome to the old, decrepit and decaying club.
Try bending your elbows and pulling your arms back until you can feel the weight of the gun and your arms transfer to your shoulders.
Sometimes when things hurt a lot, pulling your arms in further, until your upper arms are against, and being supported by your sides, helps, too.
Also try different elbow angles relative the amount of pain.
I find that aiming the elbows down instead of out helps.
Using elastic wraps helps some more.
I do feel your pain.

[lamarw]

My recommendation would be to contact Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Andrews is recognized as the World's leading expert on orthopedic medicine. His practice has some of the best if not the best in ortopedic medicine and surgery.

They sure made a difference in my life.

Dr. Andrews is consulted by or is a team doctor on many NFL Teams. My doctor, Dr. Cain, is on the sidelines during most University of Alabama Football games and is a protege of Dr. Andrews. Dr. Cain is thought to be one of best if not the best knee specialist in sports medicine/surgery.

There maybe areas in medication, surgery, and/or rehab exercise to help with your condiditons. We don't have to live with pain and incapacitation. Andrews Sports Medicine has a huge team of doctors and specialist. They also maybe able to recommend someone in your geographic area to help you or start your process prior to referral to their facilities.

Good luck with it since I have felt your pain.

[Come and take it.]

I recently developed a bad case of bursitus in one of my elbows. I don't have a problem holding up a gun to shoot but it hurts when shooting from the bench or in the prone.

[bonefamily]

Thanks for the replies, all. I have contemplated seeking therapy (physical or occupational - forget which covers which). I know a visit with my family dr. surely wont hurt any.

g. willikers - I have noticed that the pain is more noticed with the elbows outward, and feels better with them kept pointing downward. I would hate to change my shooting stance too much for sake of becoming less of a shot that I already am, but will try some adjustments next fire session and see how things go.

[BarryLee]

Using elastic wraps helps some more.

While this is true you should really see a Doctor before wearing one. I have read that these items can actually contribute to the problem in some situations. A doctor can determine if and what type of support would be best.

[LockedBreech]

I'm 24 and already have minor arthritis and tendonitis in my right wrist, as a combination of 6 years straight of intense college (and one to go) as well as a minor surgery I had on my ulna.

I am not looking foward to it advancing. I too already take ibuprofen a few times a week.

[Tom Servo]

See a chiropractor. A good one doesn't just work on the back.

I've been seeing one for years for a neck injury. I've have tendonitis and arthritis in my left hand since my early twenties, and he was able to help quite a bit with it.

[MTSCMike]

I am 59 and shoot IDPA and 3-gun. I have lived an interesting life...sports, horse breaking, moto-cross, martial arts, etc, etc...injuries and more injuries. Every injury you receive when you are young will come back to live with you in later years. I have Osgood Schlatters in my left knee, Arthritis in my lower spine, aches and pains in my elbows, shoulders and knees and just finished 8 months of rehab after major right shoulder surgery. If I can do it you can too

See an Orthopedic Specialist and ask about Physical Therapy. When I get ready to head to the match I get my gear, ammo, hearing protection, safety glasses and take my Naproxen

[WW2]

IMHO

1. Seek medical attention. Pain is a signal of something wrong. Get it fixed. I had severe pain in my right shoulder that turned me in to a left-handed shooter. It turned out to be compression of my cervical vertebrae. It took six weeks of physical therapy to fix the problem. Now I only have occasional pain in my right shoulder that is a signal that I need to keep up with my exercises. The cause of the problem was that I have been rear-ended in my car seven times! Can’t undo the car accidents, but the physical exercises and stretching of my neck and shoulders have allowed me to regain 90% of the lost range of motion I had and has eliminated 90% of the pain.

2. Find and ELIMINATE the cause of your RSI. Otherwise it will only get worse until you will not have the use of your elbows.

3. Once the proceeding steps are done, work on your shooting technique as often as possible!

YMMV

[Redhawk5.5+P+]

Here's what I recommend...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMHO

1. Seek medical attention. Pain is a signal of something wrong. Get it fixed. I had severe pain in my right shoulder that turned me in to a left-handed shooter. It turned out to be compression of my cervical vertebrae. It took six weeks of physical therapy to fix the problem. Now I only have occasional pain in my right shoulder that is a signal that I need to keep up with my exercises. The cause of the problem was that I have been rear-ended in my car seven times! Can’t undo the car accidents, but the physical exercises and stretching of my neck and shoulders have allowed me to regain 90% of the lost range of motion I had and has eliminated 90% of the pain.

2. Find and ELIMINATE the cause of your RSI. Otherwise it will only get worse until you will not have the use of your elbows.

3. Once the proceeding steps are done, work on your shooting technique as often as possible!

YMMV
__________________
Clinging to my God and my guns!

Luke 22:36
Quote:

And,.... get a lighter gun with less recoil! I feel your pain (Tennis elbow?!), I have arm wrestling elbow.

[TheNocturnus]

I'm 32 (33 in about 10 days), have chronic back pain, and have been taking Tramadol and Ibuprofen 3 times a day every day for the past 2 years and there is no end in sight. While I do not have pain in my arms, I do get twinges in my back after standing in the same spot for so long. I have to sit down, squat down or lean on the bench for a bit before I can get back to it.

My best advice is to find a range with a stool you can sit on and a rest to put your pistol on so that you are not keeping it suspended in the air the whole time you shoot.

Also talk to your Doctor and see if they have any advice. Also, keep your bloodwork current. Long term Ibuprofen is not really good for you. I'll probably need a new liver and/or kidneys in the next 20 years or so if I keep having to take it.

[bonefamily]

Thanks for the replies and sharing your experiences to everyone! I have sought out medical attention and have been through thereapy, but as long as I have the same job it is going to be something that continues to be ongoing. I need to work and being a skilled tradesman for as long as I can remember, I really cant start something brand new with the age of 50 just a couple years away. I guess I could begin a new career but finances would suffer. I do still keep regular visits with my Dr. and continue to do my exercises to keep the pain to a minimum, but with the recent shooting training/activities being added, it just adds fuel to the already slow burning fire. I will surely follow with him with the added events and continue to have things looked into deeper. Thanks again.

[redhologram]

I would try changing the way you are holding your gun so the weight is adjusted to somewhere else and not directly onto your arms. I shoot the CAR method since I'm a lefty but changed to learn to shoot right handed and left eye dominant. Doing that, my arms are pulled in and elbows aren't locked and my shoulders are bearing more weight than my arms.
I had a level 2 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in mid November (getting old is tough! lol).
I get sore when I shoot but only the day after. My surgeon says it's fine and a good way to build my muscles back up.
Try some Aleve for a day or so and see if that helps alleviate any inflammation. Just be careful with the NSAIDs and your kidneys.