Q53 - Wrist pain
Last Updated 16/04/2014 at 11:30:36 AM EST
I am 59 years old, and generally in excellent physical condition. I have recently (3 months ago) taken up recurve target archery and have very quickly become addicted. I absolutely love it. I have been pouring over your book, and also getting a few coaching lessons from an experienced teacher very familiar with the B.E.S.T. method. I shoot with some excellent recurve archers who have been helpful and supportive. I have begun to have some irritation and discomfort in my wrists, both of them, but mostly in thedraw arm. I am using 30 lb. limbs (just switched from lower quality 28 lb.)and the draw weight seems not a problem for me at all. So far I have been using moderation, a wrist wrap and the occasional Advil to keep things in check. Do you have any suggestions for what I might do to address this situation-to improve it or at least keep it in check so that it doesn¹t get worse? I know form makes a big difference, and my improving form has helped somewhat (page 52 & 53). I wonder if others have a similar problem? I look forward to your insight into my problem.
Thank you.
Thank you.
March 31, 2008
from R.T. of USA:
"I am 59 years old, and generally in excellent physical condition. I have recently (3 months ago) taken up recurve target archery and have very quickly become addicted. I absolutely love it. I have been pouring over your book, and also getting a few coaching lessons from an experienced teacher very familiar with the B.E.S.T. method. I shoot with some excellent recurve archers who have been helpful and supportive. I have begun to have some irritation and discomfort in my wrists, both of them, but mostly in thedraw arm. I am using 30 lb. limbs (just switched from lower quality 28 lb.)and the draw weight seems not a problem for me at all. So far I have been using moderation, a wrist wrap and the occasional Advil to keep things in check. Do you have any suggestions for what I might do to address this situation-to improve it or at least keep it in check so that it doesn¹t get worse? I know form makes a big difference, and my improving form has helped somewhat (page 52 & 53). I wonder if others have a similar problem? I look forward to your insight into my problem.
Thank you."
"I am 59 years old, and generally in excellent physical condition. I have recently (3 months ago) taken up recurve target archery and have very quickly become addicted. I absolutely love it. I have been pouring over your book, and also getting a few coaching lessons from an experienced teacher very familiar with the B.E.S.T. method. I shoot with some excellent recurve archers who have been helpful and supportive. I have begun to have some irritation and discomfort in my wrists, both of them, but mostly in thedraw arm. I am using 30 lb. limbs (just switched from lower quality 28 lb.)and the draw weight seems not a problem for me at all. So far I have been using moderation, a wrist wrap and the occasional Advil to keep things in check. Do you have any suggestions for what I might do to address this situation-to improve it or at least keep it in check so that it doesn¹t get worse? I know form makes a big difference, and my improving form has helped somewhat (page 52 & 53). I wonder if others have a similar problem? I look forward to your insight into my problem.
Thank you."
Without seeing you draw the bow it is a bit difficult to determine the cause, however, a common problem is that people draw straight to their chin and their wrist is then kinked putting a lot of strain on the wrist joints.The back of the drawing hand should be flush with the drawing forearm or even slightly convex when drawing the bow. To get a good idea of what the drawing hand and wrist should look like when drawing the string, pick up a rather heavy briefcase or anything heavy with your three drawing fingers and let the weight hang loosely without trying to lift it. Now have a good look at the position your wrist is in, which will show you the most natural and strongest biomechanical position of the wrist when drawing.