Major finger pain. Help.

[gatorjon]

I was hoping that my first post would be asking about aiming or form. Unfortunately a major issue has come up in the first weeks of getting used to the bow.

My setup is a Samick Sage 45#(recommended weight when I called 3Rivers) and my draw is ~26.5". I shoot 3 under.

I have used the bow about 6 times since I got it and about 50 shots each time. At first I was using a tab but after the first session my finger tips were too sore to shoot for several days. I expected this and it is not the problem. The main problem occurred the next time when I used a thicker glove to protect the finger tips, which worked. However, the next day my middle and ring finger were in agony in the area around the second knuckle (from the tip) and the side of the finger just behind that knuckle. Both fingers were very sore to the touch.

I decided to led them rest incase it was the tendons. In the meantime I ordered some of the no-glove thing and put them on to see if that would help. The next time I used the bow the same thing happened and has happened every time since.

Any suggestions or ideas? I don't want to have to use a mech release. Is that even possible?

[BobCo 1965]

I have had them go numb from a pinched nerve, or pain from a blister under a callaus, or a corn. But I have not had pain as the one described. Better see a Doctor IMO.

[reddogge]

Are you using a deep hook on the string whereby the string lies in the first joint of your fingers and not your finger tips? Also I cup my wrist slightly when taking my grip so when I pull the wrist straightens out and allows the hook to hold the string while the hand is relaxed.

If that fails try wearing your glove and your tab until your fingers toughen up a little.

[GLS]

I had a similar problem after getting back into archery after being away from it for years.  Half of the topmost joint of my right ring finger went numb for days after shooting intensively for a week or so.  It eventually went away, and things are normal now.  After a while, you'll get callouses and you'll get used to drawing the bow back.  If the pain is mostly in the second knuckle from the tip, I'd have to agree with reddogge - sounds like you might be hooking your drawing hand a bit much on the string.  Also, I've never had a good experience with the no-glove thing - I bought a bow with one of those installed on the string; first thing I did was take it off.

[EHK]

Since you used the word "major" to describe your pain, my advice would be to stop trying different things and see a doctor.  Beyond that, others have hinted at it, but I'm not sure it's been said clearly.  If you try to hold the string using your fingertips only, it puts a lot of stress on the hand and fingers.  The "deep hook" technique is where you place the string in or slightly behind the first finger joint.  It puts much less stress on the hand and fingers and make it easier to keep a relaxed hand during the draw and release.  If this is all new to you, 50 arrows a day may be too much.  Try cutting that in half and focus on form instead of where the arrow is hitting - quality over quantity is very important, especially early in the game.

[reddogge]

Actually I was advising him to use the deep hook rather than the fingertips.

[EHK]

Sorry, reddogge.  I wasn't meaning to contradict or argue, only clarify.  Glad we're on the same page and giving the same advice.

[gatorjon]

Ok, last night my fingers had finally stopped hurting to the point where I could pull the bow with proper form (took almost a week). I tried the deep hook technique and today my fingers still hurt but it is far less than before and it might actually be gone by the end of the day.  My groups were about 7" at 15-20yds which is better than before so I got a accuracy improvement to boot! So thanks a ton reddogge and EHK!

I was still using the no-glov deal and I think it might be affecting accuracy, so I think I'll give the glove and/or tab another go.

[cyred4d]

I would also recommend going away from the no-glov. Keep working on the deep hook. It actually relaxes your hand and will give you a cleaner release.

[atatarpm]

A lot of my finger pain was do to a high elbow. After looking at Terry's Form Clock and compairing my from to it and adjusting my form to his form clock lowering my elbow my finger problems improved. I also started staggering my traffic finger and ring finger and found more improvement there. After also lighting up the pressure on my ring finger I found even more improvement.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

In addition to the deep hook, try to make sure your hand is in line with the bow string and you are not "torquing" the string as you release.  try to not have as much pressure with your ring finger as you do with the other two. I used to get terrible blisters and calouses on the outter edge of my ring finger but doing these things has all but eliminated that problem.