Finger pain?

[bkyrdshooter]

Well for starters I have always been told to try to have as little contact or to try not to manipulate the sting as much as possible. I have had that on my mind as I shoot until now. I received all 3 volumes of Masters of the Barebow for my birthday in December and have already watched them all and a few times at that.
 The problem is that in these videos all if not most of the shooters say to get a good hook on that string and at least one shooter hooks back into the second knuckle. So this past weekend out to the backyard I went. I shoot three under and have for sometime. So I laid that string in the groove of my first knuckle held it there as I drew the bow and let her go.
 After a few dozen arrows fingers stated getting a little stiff and numb due to this new hold of the string. I didn't think much about it since it has happened before and is no real big deal. Problem is that my ring finger on my right hand is still numb today(four days later).
  What did I do? Haven't shot since then due to not making time and it is flat out cold outside. I could tell I want to continue this hold on the string but not sure if i want to lose the feeling of my ring finger. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[bigbadjon]

I suggest you go to the doctor, a numb finger that lasts 4 days is not normal. I would also say if you are getting significant numbness or soreness at all it is not normal.

[boznarras]

I have had this happen when shooting a short bow that pinched. It does take a while to get the feeling back, nerve tissue heals slowly.
Undoubtedly you compressed and injured the nerve, but it will recover if you do not reinjure it. The doctor will tell you the obvious: to lay off shooting the bow and give it time. In the absence of more severe trauma, I would be surprised if it was treated more aggressively unless it persists for quite a while.
You might consider a tab with some stiffness to it to shield the finger, and limit the number of shots in your practice sessions until you build up a callus. That's what helped me. Good luck.

[Stumpkiller]

What are you using for a tab or a glove?  Are you using a tab or a glove?

[Ragnarok Forge]

I had a similar problem.  It told me I was not distributing the pressure on my string fingers properly.  Your holding to much pressure on the ring finger and most likely torquing the string because of it.  The ring finger should hold 10% of the pressure, middle finger 20% and pointing finger 70%.  

I fixed the problem by dropping to two finger split and holding 80% of the pressure on my middle finger under the nock and 20% on the pointing finger above the nock.  I also worked to make sure my string hand wrist is always aligned at the same angle as my bow hand wrist.  I no longer have any callouses on my string fingers and the numbness went away immediately.   The last step that really solved the problem was going to pulling thru at the shot end which forces my fingers to pull off the string.  There is no conscious release point in my shot.  All these things combined fixed the sore and numb finger tip issues I had.  Essentially it is your form that is causing the problem.  Not a deep hook on the string.

[bkyrdshooter]

Thanks for the replies!

I use a damascus glove and am shooting a 68" 50# @28 longbow. I had never had this happen until I used a deep hook in the string.

 I will try to focus different aspects of my form and see if that helps. I used to shoot split but after going to three under don't really want to go back. I will try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I never paid attention to how much pressure I was using when I drew back the string. I guess that all plays apart. Always learning.

I will also look into trying a thicker glove.

[Bowwild]

Hooking the string with three fingers in the groove of the index and ring finger and just below the groove of the middle finger is the "book" on setting a relaxed draw hand. This is aply named the "archer's groove".

Too many of us (me included) were encouraged when we started to put the string as far out on the finger tips as possible for the reasons you stated (minimize finger drag on the string). Problem with that set is that it doesn't allow the draw hand to be relaxed -- it causes a bowing of the back of the drawing hand.  Every hear a kid at full draw exclaim, "I can't let go?" It's because their drawing hand is tense.

I've heard of the middle finger going numb if the string is put in this joint groove (which is improper anyway).  I shoot similar to your draw weight and use a Damascus glove also. I shoot 3 fingers under. I've never had a numb finger. My fingers are stiff sometimes when I start shooting but I credit my 56 year-old age for that malady.

Like others have said, you made need more stiff protection. I'd be careful about taking that finger off the string though because you'd leave the other two fingers to carry the load without aid. I'd fear hurting those digits.

[Mike Byrge@home]

I damaged a tendon in my ring-finger a few years ago and it still hurts badly sometimes when I shoot.  I "deep hook" the string and was shooting 3-under when I hurt it....have since went back to split and doesn't bother me as bad.