HELP – STINGER!

[Carbomask]

#6251

(trying to remain calm).. Someone help me out here, if you ever heard of this: I am experiencing a buzzer stinger in my 3rd finger at the end of the draw (and on the hold). Maybe my glove is too thin and the string digs into my tendon? I have to wrap up the shooting session when it happens. I try to shoot about 1 zillion arrows everytime I get a chance.. now? my whole life is in question..(figuratively speaking). Any comments? this never happened to me before, but then again, I always practiced with 3 arras. now I have 9 good ones.(less walking!). this has begun over the last week.

[Mark Turton]

#49603

Best to drop Don Thomas a line, but from the little (very little) I know I dont think it’s a stinger as this is caused through impact, I think what you are experiencing is more akin to ‘white finger’ loggers get it from the vibration in chainsaws, caused by the string rolling over the pad of your finger.

I think the only thing the doc will suggest is a lay off to allow it to reset.

Don’t get too down about it there are always reinforced gloves etc, Mark.

[Carbomask]

#50389

Not common amungst us I gather. Thanks for the insight Mark. I feel inclined to take a strip of medical tape to the end of the metacarpal, over the pad and see if that helps. otherwise a new glove. laying off it happens too easily (heck, I dont even have to try). As it has been said about traditional archery, (compared to non trad).. it is there is good news and good news: first, you have to shoot alot, and second.. you get to shoot alot! thats how I feel about it anyway. Take Care &thankx. BobRay

[William Warren]

#52027

I’m no expert on this either and don’t know your bow weight but you could try a lighter weight bow if it persists and a new glove or time away to rest does not solve the problem.

[Bert]

#52190

BobRay-My sympathies, bowbrother- no expert here either but I do labor in construction as a carpenter and know the effects of excessive vibration(rotohammers, sawsalls, jackhammers) on the ill-equipped human hand, unprotected over time. Usually worse in cold weather but it involves the entire hand not just one finger, and a stinger is an impact(generally through the misapplication of a hammer!).You stated you shoot a zillion arrows so I’m surmising its a variation of the old tunnel carpal(inflamed tendon and sheath from repetive over use). Have you researched a good sports medicine practioneer in your area?- might be able to render some treatment and advice on a professional level
Remember, if worse comes to worse, we can always start shooting- that forbidden instrument in trad circles- a CROSSBOW! GOD FORBID!!!!!
Best- Bert and keep us informed please.

[Stephen Graf]

#54419

I hate this piece of advice, because it has been given to me and seems to work some, but I am always slipping back into bad habits.

Here’s the advice,.. lower your elbow on your string arm. When your elbow is too high, it puts undue force on your 3rd finger.

I know this won’t help with the immediate tenderness, but when your finger feels better, it may help keep it from getting injured again.

Another thing that helps,… I found that when I went to a longer bow, it took some of the strain off my 3rd finger.

[Carbomask]

#58123

you guys are very kind. here is the news. I took some “bandage tape” and ripped it 1/4″ width off the roll, did two laps around the finger, and with glove- VoiLA!no problems.

now, i can shoot a bazillion arras again! I hope to get a new glove and see how much it will improve my shooting.

Currently, my leather is seemingly “sticky”. so, the release has been very closely (observed), and.. I found that moving the string out toward the tips of my fingers helps alot for the buzzer sensation.. Then I discovered an improved release overall, and better shooting!

once in a while it seems like I pluck so bad, like my fingers are stuck in the string. yesterday, I missed the target and smashed an arra into the cement wall.

once in a while when i remember, I dip my fingers in a bit of talc, but that doesnt last long for lubricity. (I tried graphite too).

Ps. I would rather go to using a spear than using a crossbow.

Does anyone have calus fingertips?! I feel like a guitarplayer.. the caluses are trying to surface, which makes me want to “peel” them. (a big no-no). the calus is building up on the sides of my nail.

[Stephen Graf]

#58513

The experts say holding the string on the tips of your fingers is a no-no.

I used to do this. But found that when I started taking the string “deep” into my first joint, things got better. It feels a little weird at first, but it gets better. Taking the string on your finger tips causes a person to crab their hand, which can lead to crazy shots like you experienced.

The experts also say that a callus on your 3rd finger that comes around to you nail is a sign of keeping your elbow too high. Again, I took their advice and things got better for me.

For myself, I found a longer bow also helped relieved the callus.

My references to “experts” comes from the Masters of the bare bow CD and Byron Ferguson’s book.

[Carbomask]

#60358

hmm. I will keep this into consideration. I was thinking that my higher elbow was a nuance that I invented, and that I was improving my form over a lower elbow! this is what you get when your sometimes “all alone” with your favorite sport (except for tradbow eh?.) thanks! in summary,though, I havent used the tape for a number of sessions, and the buzzer twang is subcided. I’ll go back to the “sweet spot” deeper toward the joint crease. but I know I’ll need a new glove, maybe with some fancy hide or synthetic.

[Danny Klee]

#13747

I am curious, what is the length of your bow? In the latest edition of TBM it talks about shorter bows and finger pinch. I’m no expert my any means but a friend of mine talks about the same thing and he shoots a shorter recurve. I am just wondering if that has anything to do with it. Perhaps some of the more experienced shooters here can shed some light on this subject.

Dan

[Bert]

#13899

A possible solution- The Turks and Mongols and others shot(and still shoot) short, powerful bows- they use a thumb ring but have to place the arrow on the opposite side of the bow. A fellow in Alaska ties a somewhat longer loop cord(like a compound string release) on the string, under the nock and uses a thumbring to draw a 70# longbow for basically as long as he wants- you just pop your hand open like flipping a coin and the best part is your arrow is on the same side shelf as three-finger.
Merits some investigation I think-Bert

[George D. Stout]

#17920

Well let me say this…..only shoot half a bazillion arrows at a time, and don’t change your form radically. Make sure you are using a deep hook….first crease of fingers…not finger tips. Okay….make that just a quarter bazillion arrows at a time. Quality not quantity 8^)))).

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