[WadHopper]

Shoulder and back.
Adjusting my stance and occasionally rocking heel to toe helps the back. Getting away from pulling the handle on my reloader helped tremendously with shoulder pain. Mine is rotator cuff, recoil doesn't seem to be a problem yet but at one point I could barely mount my gun. Years of shoveling and pulling the handle were more than my shoulder would take. Tendinitis in right elbow.
Not thinking I had to shoot every event that day also helped. I try not to shoot more than 200/day.

 

[postmastertim]

Shoulder and back.
Adjusting my stance and occasionally rocking heel to toe helps the back. Getting away from pulling the handle on my reloader helped tremendously with shoulder pain. Mine is rotator cuff, recoil doesn't seem to be a problem yet but at one point I could barely mount my gun. Years of shoveling and pulling the handle were more than my shoulder would take. Tendinitis in right elbow.
Not thinking I had to shoot every event that day also helped. I try not to shoot more than 200/day.

I catch myself uncontrollably changing my stance and not for the betterment of my scores. I'm still trying to work that one out to something more consistent.

I sold all my reloading gear in the spring, so that won't be providing any relief.

Thanks for the reply, it may be 200 a day from now on.

 

[50RALPH50]

4 Ibuprofan about an hour before I shoot gets me thru 100 rounds. Can't make it thru 200 singles very often. I tried 1 oz, 7/8 oz and 3//4 oz. It was as bad after 100 as shooting my1&1/8 oz loads. I learned to live with it.

 

[Octoberclaire2]

Do whatever physical therapy warmups that pertain to your problem areas before you shoot. Take a cold gel pack in a small cooler and apply it between rounds. I rub some voltarin on my neck and shoulder, take a couple of aleve, and go shoot. In this hot weather I take a medium sized damp towel in a small cooler and wrap it around my neck when not shooting to help keep my core temps down and for some heat relief.

 

[JBrooks]

Something that some folks might not be aware of is that if you have a typical Medicare supplemental insurance plan, most of them include what is called the Silver Sneaker program. It allows you free access to thousands of gyms all over the country. I use the one that is connected to the rehab facility where I rehabbed my knee after quad tendon surgery. I try to go 3 times a week and work through about 15-20 Hammer Strength machines and some free weights. These allow me to work on arms, shoulders, back, legs and core. While I still road run, it also has a great selection of treadmills, ellipticals and stair climbers for cardio work.

I have to say that consequently 300 rounds a day are not a problem.

If you don't have access to a gym, get some 5 & 10 pound dumbbells and just do some arm and shoulder exercises. Take a walk and take one with you and do some curls and presses. Do some back exercises to strengthen your upper and lower back muscles. Hefting a 9 pound gun and absorbing recoil takes some strength and working out 3 times a week will give you that and plenty more. You will be surprised at how much stronger you will be.


.

 

[BadaBing11]

I wish I could shoot 100 a day .

I started with a Browning Maxus Sporting Clays . It was still too harsh . I put a Soft Touch on it .

I changed from sporting clays to trap . I couldn’t make the light weight Maxus hit targets .

I went to a heavier Browning 725. I had a soft touch installed . It’s about 1.5 lbs heavier than the Maxus . The extra weight , plus the soft touch makes the 725 feel softer . Much better on the neck.

I can now shoot 1 1/8 shells, but I stick with 7/8 from the16 . Degenerative disease rate of decline is related to the accumulation of impacts . Go as light as you can while still enjoying yourself .

 

[Pull & Mark]

I shoot no shells heavier than 1 1/8 oz at 1200 fps.

Knock your loads down to one oz @1,200 fps.!!! If the pain still persists? Knock your loads down to 7/8 oz. @ 1,200 fps!!! You will find your new balance in time. Good Luck to Ya. break em all jeff

 

[postmastertim]

Just to catch up, I'm shooting 1 1/8 oz at 1145 fps and without my loading gear I'm stuck with what I can find.

I take 15mg of meloxicam once a day and 300 mg of gabapentin twice a day

I have access to the BCBS silver sneakers version for $25 a month, but I use 10lb kettlebells in the garage and a treadmill for now.

I do the exercises that my physical therapist recommended, they really do help keep the pain that feels like a knife shoved behind my left shoulder blade for the neck issues.

Retirement has been the biggest relief, that and a couple of medical procedure from the orthopedist.

No recommendation to switch to a lower recoil automatic?

 

[dan-l]

Do whatever physical therapy warmups that pertain to your problem areas before you shoot. Take a cold gel pack in a small cooler and apply it between rounds. I rub some voltarin on my neck and shoulder, take a couple of aleve, and go shoot. In this hot weather I take a medium sized damp towel in a small cooler and wrap it around my neck when not shooting to help keep my core temps down and for some heat relief.

Another vote for voltarin (dicofenolac if I remember correctly). I found it helpful if one or two joints were especially bad. All the other suggestions are good too. Stay hydrated in the heat too.

 

[Jon Reitz]

Salonpas spray - (WD-40 for old people)…

 

[plaw]

Like many of you i understand your pain,3 shoulder surgery's, tendon problems right elbow, arthritis in wrist,I too can't shoot the 300 a day events 50 in league is about enough.i bought a mec electric boy that is nice, no more pulling the handle.

 

[flashmax]

Another vote for voltarin (dicofenolac if I remember correctly). I found it helpful if one or two joints were especially bad. All the other suggestions are good too. Stay hydrated in the heat too.

Yup.

 

[flashmax]

Just to catch up, I'm shooting 1 1/8 oz at 1145 fps and without my loading gear I'm stuck with what I can find.

I take 15mg of meloxicam once a day and 300 mg of gabapentin twice a day

I have access to the BCBS silver sneakers version for $25 a month, but I use 10lb kettlebells in the garage and a treadmill for now.

I do the exercises that my physical therapist recommended, they really do help keep the pain that feels like a knife shoved behind my left shoulder blade for the neck issues.

Retirement has been the biggest relief, that and a couple of medical procedure from the orthopedist.

No recommendation to switch to a lower recoil automatic?

Seek a neurologist/neurosurgeon consult. The nerve pain can’t really be adequately addressed by an orthopedist. Gabepentin is prescribed for nerve pain. I don’t recognize Meloxicam so… but if it, too, is to quiet nerve pain you need a nerve specialist.

 

[postmastertim]

Meloxicam is Mobic. The gabapentin is for a herniated disc in my lower back that causes pain in my right hamstring. The gabapentin makes it mostly go away.

 

[50RALPH50]

I bought a used MEC9000E about 3 yrs ago. Had a 9000 and if I loaded 100 rounds I couldn't shoot for 2 days due to neck pain. Now I don't have that problem.

 

[William681]

Postmastertim,
I was a Letter Carrier 30 years walking 10 miles a day, with 40lb plus bag.
I know shoulder pain.
Parafonforte, hot tub jets and a glass of Captain Morgan will certainly loosen up your shoulder and trapezious, (?), muscles .
Been retired 15 years and still have issues with my shoulder and carpal tunnel.
Aside note .. pains me daily to see what my Postal Service has become, sad ... sad .. sad
Bill

 

[Kevin Fleming]

I don't know your age ( certainly a factor - I am 59), but find someone who can find the source, If it is nerve damage and pain that same person may can teach you how to strengthen supporting muscles. I have (had) bad L5/L6 issues to the point of permament damage. A young Taiwan fellow helped me tremendously.

K

 

[ljutic73]

I can't take any of the good pain meds like Advil so am left with 2 extra strength Tylenol before bed so I can get a decent nights sleep and seeing my chiropractor monthly. I have good THC oil but I don't get much relief from it other than a good buzz. And my A-fib prone heart is not a fan of that buzz. I have arthritis in both shoulders (left is by far the worst) and stenosis on 3 lumbar vertebrae. Sucks to get old.

 

[aloha one]

Whiskey! followed by even more whiskey! oil for the joints and assorted ailments
Aloha