The Pain

[shootme]

As a result of constantly carrying my camera around (I'm right handed), I have pain in my left shoulder and tennis elbow in my right arm. Went to a physio who gave me some exercises (that help).

Does anyone else suffer from this and what do you do to alleviate / control.

Any prevention suggestions, and giving up photography is not one of them. Cheers

[starriderrick]

I suggest a cushy neck strap ( may cause neck pain ) You may have to take a week or two off from shooting, heal that sore elbow.
Peter,Once the pain is gone...get in the routine of doing push-ups daily.You'd be surprised how this exercise will loosen you up, strengthen as well.

Rick

[w.slayman]

Sure fire cure/prevention make your wife/girl friend or kids carry the gear. HAHAHA Seriously, I carry a lot of gear, and shift the load around a lot, from shoulder to shoulder from right to left etc., also I have a lot of experience carrying heavy loads in the Army Paratroopers and I am still in fairly good physical condition. So use the proper load carrying gear, shift the load, and improve your condition through diet and exercise, AFTER YOU ALLOW THE SHOULDER AND ELBOW TO HEAL.

[shootme]

Thanks for the much needed input I pay more attention to my stance and the way I carry stuff as you suggested Bill, Rick I've got the exercises, I just need to make them habit. Cheers. Peter

[shootme]

PS: I should actually get a different strap for the camera which for the moment I wrap around my wrist and cary in my right hand. Cheers. Peter

[mjs1973]

I hate having my camera strap around my neck, and I hate even more to have a heavy shoulder bag. If I'm carrying a shoulder bag, I like to have it over my head and on my opposite shoulder. It seems to help ease the load a lot. A while back I got a new strap for my camera. I actually got it free from Smug Mug. It's made out of neoprene and it's very cushy and it stretches. I love it. It's much more comfortable than the standard straps that come with your camera.

Another option is to use a strap like you see birders use for their binoculars. The kind that hold them to their chest and chris cross behind their shoulders.

[Frog]

I have one of those smugmug straps and they are nice.
The suggestion about the harness I think is a good one too.