Well index finger where it contacts the arrow hurts bad enough now I have to stop shooting for a while. Doesn't matter if its my 60" Bear recurve or 64" longbow just plaion hurts. Anyone else had to take a break due to index finger pain?
I sometimes get a sore middle finger...that's the one that puts the most pressure on the bowstring. I've never had it get that bad that I had to stop shooting, though.
What kind of pain is it? Is it just sore on the skin or does it feel like it's in the joint?
the ring finger is what hurts the most for me, a thicker tab helps.
it is sore on the skin, on the part of my index finger that hits the arrow while I am shooting, have had problems with hangnain before, just got worse fast. seems to be bruised.
I get a sore finger once in a while. I shoot a tab. What I do is cut a peace of leather out and hot melt it to my tab. Works wonders.
I never could shoot with a tab due to soreness on the fingers. Like you I had trouble with the side of the finger riding against the nock set. A glove worked better for me but if you can use it a tab will give you a better release..
QuoteOriginally posted by elbow:
it is sore on the skin, on the part of my index finger that hits the arrow while I am shooting, have had problems with hangnain before, just got worse fast. seems to be bruised.
Not tring to be funny but maybe a band aid, last year wile hunt I cut my index finger it looked like I needed stitches I put some liquid skin and put a knuckle band aid and shot with no pain.
I had the same issue. Pain and a callous on the middle finger side of my index finger. Got one of the tabs that Dan Tolke (Montana Bows, sponsor on here) sells that just covers your middle and ring fingers. Dan taught me to just put pressure with a deep hook on those 2 fingers with the index finger just contacting the string and gently resting on top of the arrow. The index finger is not gripping the arrow or the string at all, just helping keep the string in proper alignment.
No more pain at all and a much cleaner release.
I don't know if I described that very well. But it works for me.
As mentioned before, my problem was always my middle finger. Eventually I got a noticeable callus...now, not so much pain. I was only shooting twice a week, so the soreness had time to go away before the next time out. I imagine if I'd been shooting much more frequently I might have gotten what you have.
I guess just try and ease back into it. Maybe try a thicker glove?
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000093
I used to get the same thing on my pointer finger.I had to take breaks from shooting.The only remedey I found was to keep shooting regular and it would go away.Stopping for a winter break(Two or so months) then shooting again was usually what brought it back.I tried some eletrical tape around that spot and it helped a little.
I use a tab and shoot 3 fingers split. At one time I had a problem with my middle finger that touched the underside of the arrow nock becoming very sore. What I found was causing this was I was twisting the bow string while drawing. Ounce I corrected this my sore finger went away. If this isn't the case with you, the Black Widow tabs have a flap of swede top and bottom that protect your fingers from touching the arrow.
Start with a slight gap between your finger and the nock. It does help. BILL
How many arrows are you guys flinging for practice? Mine were a bit sore after a 700+ arrows this weekend but with a fairly heavy glove it wasny too bad to shoot. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing.......
I have posted these pictures before. If you make this using an aluminum can, duck tape and sissors, put it into the finger of your shooting glove, your pain will end. I fought this problem for years and tried everything to help. This item will fix it if you shoot a glove. You will not even know it is in the glove it you make it the right size for the finger hole.
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/secretb.jpg)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/secret.jpg)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/secretd.jpg)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/secreta.jpg)
Make this by cutting open a soda can. Flatten it out on a table. Wash it. Then fold it in half, to get double thickness. Cut out the pattern shown so the bottom part of it is on the fold so it will stay together when you cut pattern. Put one layer of duck tape on it so edges are not sharp. Bend it to fit inside of finger hole of glove. If done correctly no part of it will touch part of glove that will be pulling directly on string, it will be between your finger and nock, you will not know it is there.
My index finger is extremely sore from shooting I've learned to adapt to a two under style of shooting,just to many injurys to my right hand and arthritis is a major factor.
For me i switched to 3 under. it solved the finger pain and i started shooting better. Im not sugesting you switch just saying what worked for me.
The pain is from a LOT of pinch between the top of the arrow and the bottom of your finger.
You can relieve the pain a lot of ways, but you've also got a form problem that's causing that pressure. If you have someone watch you shoot, you will most likely find that your string hand elbow is high. That puts you pulling hard with that index finger. You need to pull harder with the middle finger and get that elbow down.
Otherwise you're going to continue to hurt.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jeff Strubberg:
The pain is from a LOT of pinch between the top of the arrow and the bottom of your finger.
You can relieve the pain a lot of ways, but you've also got a form problem that's causing that pressure. If you have someone watch you shoot, you will most likely find that your string hand elbow is high. That puts you pulling hard with that index finger. You need to pull harder with the middle finger and get that elbow down.
Otherwise you're going to continue to hurt.
Boy that makes sence and somtehing i never thought of. When ever my groups start to inlarge i go to work on getting my elbow down a problem ive always had but have it under control most of the time.
Yep, I had the same problem and no matter how long I shot.......I couldn't build up enough callous to make it stop hurting. My solution was that I switched to three-under. No more sore finger and I think I have a much cleaner release.
Winterhawk1960