Ah, Archery – for centuries the preferred way to hunt for food and enemies, and now one of the most appreciated sports. Unhindered from the weather, available indoor and outdoor, the noble sport of throwing sticks via another bent stick recently gained popularity, thanks in part to the exciting Olympic competitions.
Truly a test of skill and wits, Archery might be one of the real, genuine Sport of Kings; Just think about the traditional English Longbow, that such an advantage gave to His Majesty’s Armies; Such was the fear inspired by the Bowmen that, during the one hundred years war, those that were captured got their index and forefinger cut, so that they may not ever again pick up a bow against the French. This is History.
In modern days, of course, Archery is a wonderful way for one to keep healthy. Or to die an horrible and gruesome death.
Many things can go wrong on an archery range – even without an arrow cocked. No wait; Especially without an arrow cocked. On an average, an arrow leaves the bow at a speed of about 200 ft/s. That’s about 134 mph, more than enough to shatter bones and rip muscles. It’s almost as fun as being hit by a very small, very pointed train.
But surely you must think, “I have to be a special kind of idiot to get killed by a stray arrow – or at least, someone must be around me. It won’t be my fault, or Archery’s fault – it would be Johnny Bowman’s fault”.
Well, probably. Let’s say that, barring comical ineptitude or malicious intent, one cannot actually kill himself while practicing archery. But one can, and probably will, hurt himself so much.
You might be familiar with a bunch of fellas called “the rotator cuff”. You are familiar with them, because they are the muscles that, among other things, held your shoulder together and allow you such luxury as moving the arm above your head, moving your arm in front of you, and of course, moving your arm at all.
Guess what’s the most common injury among bowmen? The rotator cuff tear. This is a very fun (read: not fun at all) injury that causes pain and inability to, say, use your arm in any useful way.
Of course, a rotator cuff tear derivating from Archery is probably cronich, rater than acute – meaning that the ole “splap some ice on it and rest it a couple of days” trick that my mother used fof anything from a bruise to a broken bone wouldn’t work. You don’t overcome easily such a tear – if at all.
Usually you require six to eight weeks of physical therapy before you can even think about getting the full use of your arm back together – and even then, you might hurt yourself again (because, let’s face it, if you hurt yourself once nothing prevents you from hurting twice. or trice). And that’s if everything goes all right; If you tore yourself badly enough, after 8 weeks of toil and strife you’ll need to undergo surgery, with the physical therapy that comes after – which means your arm will be stuck about your body for a long, long time. After which, not only it’s probable you’ll be hurting yourself again if you keep on with your shenanigans – it’s almost certain.
So the next time you’re on the range, and feel the tension of the string on your arms, and are one with the bow, remember: Your rotator cuff is wearing and, eventually, tearing.